Stoplight Removal Survey Underway for Downtown Traffic Signal

(KNSI) — The City of St. Cloud is asking for public input regarding the removal of a stoplight downtown.

Blake Redfield, Traffic Systems Manager for the city, says several factors played into the idea for another signal removal survey at 8th Avenue South and West St. Germain Street, including the removal of several other signals on what are considered minor roadways. He says the city is doing another survey to see if it’s time for the signal to come out now, “Just because of reduced traffic volumes, reduced pedestrian volumes. Just a number of factors. The signal itself is getting old. We would have to spend some significant money on it over the next couple of years if we were to keep it there.”

A previous survey in 2012 that included a town hall, counting pedestrians, and counting cars, showed people found it necessary to keep the stoplight in place.

Redfield says the city is hoping to hear from anybody in the community that might have some reason they do or don’t want the light kept there. “Maybe they’re a person that works at a store down there, or a business, or a pedestrian that likes the signal for the pedestrian crossing. Somebody that’s using it on a regular basis, people that want to shape what the downtown is going to look like in the future.”

There have been a few comments so far, Redfield says, and more people are interested in having the light removed. He says this is the last part of the study that needs to be fulfilled to remove the signal.

Anyone who would like to comment on either keeping the signal or removing it is asked to call 320-650-2900. Redfield says it would be greatly appreciated so the city can get a better sample size data for information. The survey runs through the end of the month. Redfield says the city will look at the survey numbers, and if comments support the signal’s removal, his department would have to look into funding it, and it could be down as soon as the end of the year.

If the stoplight does get replaced, it will become a four-way stop.

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