A Fargo traffic committee has approved two four-way stops near the new 17th Avenue South underpass.
In a recent analysis of 17th Avenue South between 34th and 38th streets, the city monitored traffic speed and volume throughout a 48-hour period.
At the intersection of 34th Street and 17th Avenue South, 47 percent of the 13,845 vehicles were driving over the 25 mph speed limit.
Between 35th and 38th streets,
30 percent of the 15,064 vehicles exceeded the 30 mph speed limit.
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This data, in addition to complaints from the public, prompted the city to take action.
At its Nov. 6 meeting, the Traffic Technical Advisory Committee approved four-way stops for the intersections of 34th and 38th streets along 17th Avenue South.
Currently, north and southbound traffic must stop for east and westbound 17th Avenue traffic. The exception is 32nd Street, which has a four-way stop.
The city began receiving requests for four-way stops along 17th Avenue immediately after the opening of the Interstate 29 underpass earlier this fall.
"We've known all along that some people haven't been in favor of the 17th Avenue underpass," said city engineer Rick Lane. "I've gotten a lot of complaints, especially about the speed of the traffic."
For example, more than 40 vehicles passing through the 34th Street intersection during the study were driving more than 70 mph.
"There's no doubt the speeds are high," Lane said.
Kristin Leadbetter, manager of Hooters, 1649 38th St. S.W., said she has noticed more traffic outside her business recently. And many drivers seem hesitant when they get to the 38th Street intersection, Leadbetter said.
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"People naturally think it's a four-way stop. It feels like it should be," she said. "A four-way will good. It'll help regulate the traffic."
The city also has received requests for four-way stops at 35th Street and West Gateway Circle. After looking at the traffic analysis, however, the traffic committee decided to start with 34th and 38th streets, where the need was most pressing.
The North Dakota Department of Transportation must approve the 38th Street four-way stop before it is installed.
The intersection of 38th Street and 17th Avenue South originally was to be a four-way stop. But after officials factored in a right-hand turn lane on westbound 17th Avenue, they decided to make it a two-way.
The city and NDDOT will continue to monitor the entire 17th Avenue South stretch. Depending on how it develops, there may be a need for signal lights someday, Lane said.
"I don't think it's reasonable to have stop signs at every intersection,'' he said. "We're going to continue getting requests, though. We'll have to watch and see what happens."
Readers can reach Forum reporter Mary Jo Almquist at (701) 241-5531
