Politics & Government

Metzen, Atkins: Hwy. 55 and Argenta Trail Intersection a Safety Concern

The two local legislators have authored parallel bills funding an environmental impact statement and scoping for improvements to the intersection.

Joe Atkins is all too familiar with the problems facing the intersection of Hwy. 55 and Argenta Trail in Inver Grove Heights.

The intersection is one of the first stoplights on busy Hwy. 55 as the road enters the metro area from the south. It’s perpetually clogged by traffic, has poor sightlines and presents a danger to motorists, said Atkins, the District 39B representative (DFL).

Which is why Atkins and his legislative counterpart, District 39 Sen. Jim Metzen (DFL), have both authored parallel bills in the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate that would appropriate roughly $250,000 to fund an environmental impact statement and scoping for improvements to the intersection. Atkins' bill, HF659, was introduced on Feb. 24 and referred to the House Transportation Policy and Finance Committee.

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The issues confronting the intersection of Hwy. 55 and Argenta are threefold, according to Inver Grove Heights Community Development Director Tom Link. As Inver Grove Heights and surrounding communities continue to develop, Argenta Trail will become a core arterial road with traffic volumes much higher than current levels, Link said. Studies conducted by local officials, Link said, show that the road could become as large as a six-lane thoroughfare.

The intersection, Link added, is at the center of what is slated to be a large-scale commercial and industrial development. The site of the proposed SuperTarget , a project that came to a halt in 2009, is just a quarter-mile away, Link said. Truck traffic from large commercial campuses, including Thomson Reuters in Eagan, contribute to the growing traffic using the intersection, Link said.

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Ideally, city officials would like to see an overpass for Argenta Trail constructed at the intersection, Link said. Such an improvement, he said, could bolster commercial development in the area and improve the safety of both Argenta and Hwy. 55.

It’s a solution that Atkins and Metzen, who have met with Inver Grove Heights city officials to discuss the issue, also favor.

“There are great big plans and dreams for that whole quadrant,” Metzen said. “Right now, all we have is this little stoplight hanging from the rafters there, and there have been a lot of accidents there.”

“People are used to cruising down major state highway, they don’t expect to come over the rise there and see a stoplight,” Link said.

Sen. Jim Metzen

New Activity:

— Metzen authored a bill modifying certain compliance provisions for elevator construction codes. SF617, introduced on March 7.

— Metzen co-authored a $51.3 million bonding request to construct a new physics and nanotechnology building at the University of Minnesota. SF562, introduced on March 3.

— Metzen co-authored a bill that would grant to Minnesota Citizens for Reform
and Economic Equality to create workforce development activities to increase the job skills and employability of Minnesotans. SF635, introduced on March 7.

Existing legislation:

— A bill authored by Metzen appropriating $3 million to replace barriers with noise abatement walls along portions of the Hwy. 52 corridor is awaiting discussion on The Capital Investment Committee. SF391, introduced on Feb. 21.

— A $200,000 bonding request proposed by Metzen for the design and construction of a transit facility along the Robert Street corridor in Dakota County was referred to the Capital Investment Committee. SF531, introduced on Feb. 28.

 A bill authored by Metzen that would appropriate $240,000 for the movement of two historical buildings to Heritage Park in Inver Grove Heights is still awaiting discussion by the Capital Investment Committee. SF291, introduced on Jan. 10.

Rep. Joe Atkins

New Activity:

— Atkins authored a bill that would permit wine tasting and wine sales for an annual festival to be conducted by an organization representing Minnesota's grape growers. HF787, introduced on March 3.

 

Existing Legislation: 

— A bill Atkins co-authored that would appropriate $1.5 million to to install, renovate, or replace heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems in existing indoor ice arenas was referred to the State Government Finance Committee. HF684, introduced on Feb. 24.

— A bill authored by Atkins that would provide funding for a new nature center in Inver Grove Heights is currently awaiting a hearing by the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee. HF690, introduced on Feb. 24.
 

 

Editor’s Note: Capitol Review is a weekly look at what your state legislators are doing at the Minnesota Capitol—how they’re voting, the bills they’re writing and the issues they’re getting behind. Come back to Patch every Monday for a new Capitol Review.


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