ITEM 8.1 MNDOTITEM 8_y
a otlE$o.409
o Minnesota Department of Transportation
4>oF �pa�a Metro District
Waters Edge
1500 County Road B-2
Roseville, MN 55113-3174
AiTav 1 R 7(11 S
Ronald J. Wagner
Otsego City Engineer
3601 Thurston Avenue
Anoka, MN 55303
Re: Request for Otsego Business District Signing on Highway 101 at CSAH 39
Dear Mr. Wagner,
This letter is in response to your request for the signing of the CSAR 39 Otsego Business District
from Highway 101. I regret to inform you that MnDOT is denying this request for signing based
upon the reasons noted below.
There is tremendous demand for signing along our highway system; many businesses,
organizations and agencies request signs to inform and/or aid the motorist in locating their
establishments. Given this demand, MnDOT has developed policies which provide consistency
in the types of businesses, organizations and services eligible for signs along our highways.
Additionally, these policies help manage the placement of the requested signs.
MnDOT's Minor Traffic Generator signing program allows for signing of downtown / business
districts, provided they meet certain criteria. However, this request failed to meet the following
criteria of the signing program:
A. Minor Traffic Generator signs may be installed on conventional highivays, at at -
grade intersections on expresslvays, and on i -w -al bypasses that have interchanges at
non -trunk highivays.
Highway 101 is classified as a freeway and is not considered a bypass at the CSAR 39
interchange. Therefore, this request does not meet the above criteria of the signing program and
is denied on a basis of MnDOT policy.
Additionally, it was determined that there is inadequate space available for additional
supplemental signs on the southbound Highway 101 approach to CSAH 39. This is because of
the proximity of the Highway 101 / Highway 169 interchange. For this reason, the request for
signing on the southbound approach is denied on the basis of engineering standards.
The main purpose of signing is to inform motorists of regulations such as speed limits and stops,
to warn them of any impending dangers such as sharp curves and steep grades, and to help them
An Equal Opportunity Employer
E) Ono 0 0 a (5)
Page 2 of 2
Re: Request for Otsego Business District Signing on Highway 101 at CSAH 39
find their destination by clearly marking routes and cross streets. Signs must be properly spaced
and the messages on them must be clear so that motorists have time to perceive the information
on the signs and make the appropriate driving maneuvers. This leaves limited space for other
types of signing and sign messages. Excessive sign clutter can lead to driver distraction and can
become a saiery issue.
MnDOT policy does provide an opportunity for oversight review of denied sign requests by a
committee comprised of non-MnDOT business representatives. This External Sign Variance
Committee determines if there is an over-riding public good that would merit recommending an
exception to our policy. The variance process allows the requester an opportunity to present
their signing request for consideration by the committee. Please contact Ms. Joani Nilan,
chairperson of the External Sign Variance Committee at 651-234-7384 if you desire to pursue
this option.
If you have further questions regarding this issue, please contact Eric Peterson, North Area
Signing Engineer by email (eric.peterson astate.mn.us) or by phone (651-234-7830).
Sincerely,,_
Steve Misgen, P.E.
Metro District Traffic Engineer
An Equal Opportunity Employer
-tea-
-�o®