I, for one, am thrilled silly about the prospect of having three traffic lanes striped on Highway 75 instead of the four many of us have grown to know and love.
The reasons are many, but I think my main reason is — having a turning lane down the center of the highway has a “big city” feel to it. I like it.
This ain’t Mayberrry no more. Sioux Falls has center turn lanes. Worthington has them — why not us? Every time I glide into the center turn lane I’m going to be thinking, “Oh yeah. Luverne got it goin’ on.”
Of course, I like the safety factor provided by a center turn lane, especially near the school. Teenagers darting across the highway to the convenience store for their daily Red Bull and Twinkies no longer need to fear death from being run over while in the blind spot created by double lanes of traffic. (They may, however, want to think long and hard about death by poor nutrition.)
The safety factor really seals the deal for me.
I also like the “speed” factor. I live on the north end of Luverne. I do plenty of business on the south end of Luverne and have spent what seems like a lifetime waiting for the guy in front of me to turn left. But now? Whammo. I’m across town in nothing flat. Why? Because I didn’t have to wait for anyone in front of me to turn left.
Occasionally I cross Highway 75 on foot. This is when the center turn lane is going to be really helpful. In the past, pedestrians had to look right, then left, right, left again, and so on, desperately trying to find a break in four lanes of traffic moving two directions. Now, the pedestrian has to make a simple assessment of two — not four — lanes of traffic. Walking around town just got that much easier.
And, I like change.
What if having three lanes really works better? The school kids are safer? Our trips across town are quicker? Our city feels bigger and more modern?
“But what about when I get stuck behind a combine or a load of round bales?” you ask.
Why not take those moments to slow down and truly enjoy our beautiful city?
•Read the church signs and see what time the soup supper starts. (Who could you invite?)
•Read the school sign and see where the JV cross country team is running today. (Maybe you should do a little running?)
•Check out the specials at the restaurants. (A cheesy potato ole, bacon-wrapped burrito with traditional Mexican sauce?!? Sign me up!)
•Count the “Luverne: Love the Life” flags. (What area of the community has been overlooked? Perhaps the hay producers? Should you write a letter to the editor?)
•Observe the sidewalk installation and wonder, “How far did they get today?”
Make good use of that time behind the load of round bales and you will be a happier person.
I think the new striping plan is a win-win for everyone. If you are in a hurry, the new traffic pattern should get you there sooner. But, if you get stuck behind a wide load, you have a chance to slow down, catch your breath, smell the roses and enjoy Luverne.
Works for me.