Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Complete Streets

Complete Streets in Minnesota communities

Hwy 24 in Annandale

Aerial image of downtown Annandale, now featuring amenity zones, curb extensions and reduced lane widths for a safer travel environment.
Aerial image of downtown Annandale, now featuring amenity zones, curb extensions and reduced lane widths for a safer travel environment.

Background

The City of Annandale was interested in walking environment improvements to better meet the needs of pedestrians in the downtown business corridor. Foot traffic in the area typically increases in the summer, so improvements like wider sidewalks, amenity zones, and curb extensions were included.

Parking and travel lane widths were reduced, contributing to the safety of the roadway. Wide shoulders and low speeds contribute to a comfortable space for bicycling on the corridor.

Complete Streets elements

Lane adjustment

Travel and parking lane widths were reduced, and the overall width of the right of way was reduced from 64 feet to 48 feet to allow for wider sidewalks and amenity zones. Narrower travel lanes help promote slower driving speeds, contributing to a safer roadway by reducing the severity of crashes and shortening crossing distance.

Curb extensions and improved crosswalks

Curb extensions — also called bulb outs or bump outs — extend a small section of sidewalk into the roadway at intersections or at midblock crossings. Curb extensions and high-visibility crosswalks increase road safety and pedestrian comfort by shortening the distance pedestrians have to cross and increasing visibility between drivers and people walking. By visually narrowing the roadway, curb extensions encourage drivers to slow down when approaching the intersection. They also create tighter corner radii, which slow down turning motorists.

Amenity zones

Amenity zones include landscaping and lighting to make the streetscape more pleasant and inviting for people walking.

Before and after

Before

An intersection along Hwy 24 before construction, showing faded crosswalks
An intersection along Hwy 24 before construction

After

An intersection along Hwy 24 after construction, showing curb extensions, new sidewalk and decorative pavers, and improved crosswalks
An intersection along Hwy 24 after construction, showing curb extensions, new sidewalk and decorative pavers, and improved crosswalks

Complete Streets themes

Economics

Complete Streets elements provide a more welcoming streetscape for people walking and bicycling through Annandale’s downtown business corridor, bringing increased foot traffic to local businesses. Local business owners have noticed an increase of foot traffic in the downtown business corridor.

Active transportation

Pedestrian infrastructure in downtown and wide shoulders outside the downtown business corridor provide safer places for people to walk and bike through Annandale.

Safety

Narrow travel lanes reduce the speed that vehicles travel through downtown.

Curb extensions and improved crosswalks help increase safety and visibility for people walking across the street.

Collaboration

MnDOT and the City of Annandale worked together to align project timelines and scope, adjusting the scope to accommodate the city’s utility project.

Under the maintenance agreement, the city is responsible for plowing downtown, clearing sidewalks, and maintaining the aesthetic treatments.

Additional example

In 2020, a resurfacing project was completed on Highway 12 in Cokato, MN. To address a safety issue related to two pedestrian fatalities crossing the road, entrance treatments, a raised concrete median, curb extensions, improved crosswalks, and rectangular rapid flashing beacons were added. These treatments improve safety for people walking across the street by slowing vehicle traffic and making the crossing more visible.