Below is a news release detailing a news conference held today by Mayor Sayles Belton to outline the City's plans to address traffic congestion related to construction and road work. Mayor Sayles Belton announces City plan to ease motorists' frustrations with spring and summer road projects Plan includes easy public access to information, increase traffic control personnel, improved coordination of projects, and implementation of City Lane Use Task Force recommendations May 17, 2001 (Minneapolis, MN)-Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton today announced City plans to mitigate traffic congestion problems this spring and summer associated with an unprecedented level of development and infrastructure improvement projects underway citywide. Currently, there is over $2 billion in construction downtown and millions of dollars in neighborhood projects. " This progress is good news for everyone," said Mayor Sayles Belton. "It brings jobs, improved infrastructure, and expands our tax base. Unfortunately, all of these great projects have congestion consequences." A sampling of projects underway includes: * LRT construction along Hiawatha Avenue or on 5th Street downtown; * The Convention Center Expansion; * Ongoing street maintenance including pothole and sealcoating repair; and * The nearly 11 miles of new fiber optic conduit being laid under our streets this spring and summer. "This level of activity reminds me of preparations for Thanksgiving dinner," said the Mayor. "Prior to the meal, the kitchen is a flurry of activity as favorite Thanksgiving foods are being prepared for all the family and friends who will be arriving later in the day. Counters are a jumble of bowls, measuring cups and spoons, food, the remains of chopped up vegetables and more. The sink is piled high with dirty dishes...Yet everyone does their best to be patient because they know that at the end of all that mess is a great meal. Our reward at the end of all our construction mess is a stronger, more beautiful, and well-maintained city. We must be patient because the hassle is worth it." To help motorists minimize the disruption and headaches that can come from construction-related traffic problems, the City of Minneapolis will: 1. Provide easy public access to road project information. * The City's web site has a link to construction and roadwork information. Information about specific construction projects includes project dates, road status and detour maps. To find construction information, citizens can go to the City's web site at www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us, pull down the menu bar for frequently requested information and select construction projects. * To get information by phone, citizens can call the Office of the Mayor at (612) 673-2100. * The Office of the Mayor, in coordination with City departments, will be disseminating construction information to community traffic organizations and coordinating with neighborhood and downtown organizations. 2. Implement traffic mitigation steps, including more traffic control personnel on the streets and stricter enforcement of permits and ordinances that reduce traffic congestion. 3. Better coordinate construction activities by making sure that all new public and private projects have a traffic/lane use mitigation plan and working with contractors, the City's Public Works Department and other jurisdictions to create a well-coordinated traffic mitigation plan. The Mayor also supports the implementation of the Lane Use Task Force recommendations, which are expected to be approved by the City Council on this month. A working group comprised of City departments, Metro Transit and the City of St. Paul created these recommendations. If implemented the recommendations will reduce lane closures, increase the number of traffic control personnel on the streets, improve planning for public and private construction projects, and ultimately reduce traffic congestion and keep people safer. Citizens can also help mitigate congestion by finding alternative transportation routes, carpooling, taking the bus, or bicycling. "I want to thank the people who live and work in Minneapolis for their cooperation and patience," said the Mayor. "There is no getting around it. It's going to be messy out there this summer. Please be careful and alert. If you have any questions or concerns, visit our web site or call my office. I want this summer to be a safer and smoother ride for everyone!" Ann Freeman Communications Director Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton (612) 673-2156 _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
