Skip to main content

Seeking quieter roadways

Subhead
Beaver Creek residents request speed study for County Road 4
Lead Summary
By
Mavis Fodness

Vehicle noise is a consequence of living near an interstate highway system, and Beaver Creek residents realize the easy access to that roadway has its pitfalls.
They didn’t realize more of that traffic would find its way through their city of 294 people in recent months.
Beaver Creek Mayor Jamie Dysthe and council member Josh Tuene brought a request to the Rock County Board to conduct a speed study on County Road 4, located on the north edge of the city limits.
The Rock County Commissioners supported the resolution at their Oct. 4 meeting, requesting the Minnesota Department of Transportation to conduct the study.
High speeds and safety were listed as primary reasons for the study.
Don and Jean Pap have lived next to County Road 4 in Beaver Creek for almost 17 years.
“It (traffic) goes from early morning to early evening,” Jean said. “When they use their Jake Brakes they make a terrible amount of noise.”
Their home is located about 75 feet from the road. She said since South Dakota’s weigh station began 24/7 operations on Interstate 90, more trucks have been driving past her home.
Speed limit signs of 55 mph (eastbound) and 30 mph (westbound) are located within a half block of their residence.
“It’s a pretty abbreviated section,” county engineer Mark Sehr said.
Traffic traveling west into the 30 mph speed limit is entering the reduced speed area from a sloping curve.
To assist large trucks or recreational vehicles to slow down, drivers often apply the compression release engine brake or Jake Brake, which causes the engine to make a distinctive cackle as the engine slows the vehicle. The Jake Brake is used to save the wear and tear on the vehicle’s brakes.
Beaver Creek council members talked about the Paps’ noise complaint at their Sept. 14 meeting. The traffic noise can be heard throughout the town, however.
“I don't think it is bad to slow down earlier,” Mayor Dysthe said at the meeting.
The council currently does not have a “No Jake Brakes” ordinance, nor do members think passing an ordinance would eliminate the noise issue.
They do, however, think moving the speed limit signs would help.
Dysthe recommended to commissioners the lengthening of the 30 mph zone in order to slow traffic as it crosses the intersection of County Road 17 and South Second Street, the primary street into town.
This would increase the sped zone from County Road 6 on the east to Third Avenue on the west, prompting the Jake Brakes to start outside the residential area.
“If we can move the speed limit signs, I think we would have better results,” Sehr said.
MnDOT’s speed and/or safety studies require a resolution from county boards in order to take place.
No timeframe was available as to when or if the latest study request would take place.
Rock County last requested a speed study several years ago, also involving County Road 4. The resolution sought to reduce the 55 mph speed limit west of Luverne.
A safety audit was completed at that time and MnDOT officials determined a reduced speed was not justified.

You must log in to continue reading. Log in or subscribe today.