White Bear is a Ramsey County road that carries too high a traffic volume to install pedestrian crossing signs without some other treatment such as a median island or an RRFB. We recommend pedestrians cross at traffic signal at Iowa and White Bear.
While I understand the realities of high traffic volume, the reality of pedestrian crossing at WBA and Montana will continue because
1. The crosswalk is striped and does not have a RRFB
2. There are numerous successful businesses on each side of WBA that draw pedestrian traffic from the neighborhoods surrounding WBA
3. My experience is that digital radar speed sign at Larpenteur tends to slow down drivers for only about a block into St. Paul
4. Telling *me* to cross at Iowa & WBA isn't going to help the dozens and dozens of people who cross here every day, especially parents with young children who spend agonizing moments deciding whether or not the cars will actually stop for them and their children. When I have been at DairyQueen (walking distance from my home), I've helped pedestrians cross this intersection 3 times because traffic failed to yield. I'm not sure if traffic stopped because I was a white male or if I was acting more boldly than the young mother crossing with a baby or the elderly couple or the family with a toddler. I was shaken by the close call I had with one of these three experiences.
What other options do you have to keep pedestrians safe in this area? Walking to Iowa & WBA is not going to happen. You are aware of this issue, but it appears that you propose to do nothing to rectify it.
I am CCing Dan Bostrom's office with this exchange so he is also aware of the needs of his Eastside constituents.
This problem isn't going away. What can be done to help pedestrians stay safer? Crossing flags that individuals use? Flashing pedestrian crossing signage? It took a death for Maryland Ave to change - I hope crossings on WBA don't need to go that far for Ramsey County or the City of St. Paul to protect pedestrians.
We appreciate getting your reports. As of June 16, 2019, we will no longer monitor the Saint Paul Connect app (SeeClickFix). To submit any concerns going forward, please use our Report An Incident form: https://www.stpaul.gov/report-incident Thank you, and we look forward to hearing from you.
5 Comments
Public Works Admin 6 (Registered User)
MWhite222 (Registered User)
While I understand the realities of high traffic volume, the reality of pedestrian crossing at WBA and Montana will continue because
1. The crosswalk is striped and does not have a RRFB
2. There are numerous successful businesses on each side of WBA that draw pedestrian traffic from the neighborhoods surrounding WBA
3. My experience is that digital radar speed sign at Larpenteur tends to slow down drivers for only about a block into St. Paul
4. Telling *me* to cross at Iowa & WBA isn't going to help the dozens and dozens of people who cross here every day, especially parents with young children who spend agonizing moments deciding whether or not the cars will actually stop for them and their children. When I have been at DairyQueen (walking distance from my home), I've helped pedestrians cross this intersection 3 times because traffic failed to yield. I'm not sure if traffic stopped because I was a white male or if I was acting more boldly than the young mother crossing with a baby or the elderly couple or the family with a toddler. I was shaken by the close call I had with one of these three experiences.
What other options do you have to keep pedestrians safe in this area? Walking to Iowa & WBA is not going to happen. You are aware of this issue, but it appears that you propose to do nothing to rectify it.
I am CCing Dan Bostrom's office with this exchange so he is also aware of the needs of his Eastside constituents.
I look forward to a response from Public Works.
MWhite222 (Registered User)
MWhite222 (Registered User)
Acknowledged City of Saint Paul Admin (Registered User)