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Light warning system planned at Underwood [UPDATED]
Published 10:01am Tuesday, October 11, 2011 Updated 12:02pm Tuesday, October 11, 2011The intersection in Underwood, at Highway 210 and Highway 35, will have a new intersection conflict warning system. Motorists will experience brief shoulder and lane closures beginning Monday, Oct. 17.
The Underwood installation is one of five being coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Officials say the new flashing lights and signs are designed to improve traffic safety.
“Drivers approaching the intersection will be warned, with flashing lights, if other vehicles also are approaching the intersection,” said County Engineer Rick West. “This is a pilot project, with monitoring of the system planned for about four years.”
MnDOT will install other systems at intersections near Crookston, Mahnomen, Comstock (south of Moorhead) and Miltona (north of Alexandria). MnDOT urges motorists to watch for crews at these locations.
Funding for the Underwood project and the other four installations (in other counties) will come from state funds. No county funding is part of the project, according to West.
Flaggers will direct traffic through work areas that require lane closures. The projects are scheduled to be completed by early November.
All five locations, including Underwood, were chosen for the project based on crash data. The intersection conflict warning systems are designed to assist traffic at rural two-way stop intersections.
Flashing lights and signs warn drivers approaching an intersection of potentially conflicting vehicles at a stop sign and on the through road.
MnDOT urges motorists to always drive with caution, slow down in work zones and never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones. For statewide travel information, visit www.511mn.org, call 5-1-1 or log on to www.mndot.gov.
