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Crash history results in streetlights at Highway 75-County Road 12 intersection

Lead Summary
By
Mavis Fodness

Two streetlights will illuminate the intersection of Highway 75 and County Road 12 at the Rock and Pipestone county line, according to action at the Rock County Board meeting June 16.
The rural intersection lights will improve visibility during inclement weather and nighttime conditions.
In January Jasper residents expressed their visibility concerns at that intersection to Minnesota Department of Transportation officials.
A review compared the Highway 75-County Road 12 intersection to similar rural intersections around the state and found the area “was experiencing an above average number of crashes,” according to traffic engineer Scott Thompson.
“Over the past 10 years, the intersection experienced four crashes, two of which occurred during dark conditions,” he said.
The review also found other safety concerns.
“The intersection does have a significant amount of skew,” Thompson said.
Skew is the angle measurement between two intersecting roadways. The skew of two roads intersecting at a 90-degree angle is zero. The skew angle at the County Road 12 corner is greater than 15 degrees.
“The bulk of the problems surrounding skewed intersections stem from the skew making it difficult for motorists on the skewed road to see traffic on the intersecting road,” Thompson said.
“When stopped, motorists end up having to look over their shoulder to see approaching vehicles — which becomes more difficult as people age.”
Forty percent of the traffic exits Highway 75 onto the county road where traffic flows west to Jasper or east to Edgerton.
“Based on the types of crashes that have been observed at that intersection, rural intersection lighting is the most reasonable improvement,” Thompson said.
Rock County commissioners adopted a resolution June 16 assuming the ownership, maintenance and monthly expenses to operate the two streetlights.
MnDOT will install the lights, one in the southwest and one in the northeast quadrant of the intersection.
Construction and the lighting system components are funded though the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program.
The state will bid the project along with other rural lighting systems in District 7 this month.
“There is the potential that the lighting system could be constructed yet this year, but more likely it will be constructed next spring,” Thompson said.

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