Ramsey County Highway 96 is a 12-mile long highway in Minnesota that runs from its intersection with Old Hwy 8 NW in New Brighton to its intersection with Highway 61 in White Bear Lake.  The Western-most mile of Hwy 96 has undergone significant improvement projects (2013-2015) including major reconstruction of the Hwy 96/I-35W interchange in 2015 and the Hwy 96/US Hwy 10 interchange in 2013.

The 2013 improvement to the 96/10 interchange included sinking Hwy 96 beneath Hwy 10 and introducing new ramps to improve traffic flow and safety for all directions of traffic.

Unfortunately since it’s completion there have been at least three fatalities in the intersection—all involving youth—and Ramsey County must take action to protect drivers and passengers in this space.  Two students from the local high school died in late 2016 and a 23-month old died in September 2022.  Both accidents involved the left hand turn from Hwy 96 to Old Hwy 10.  These deaths are tragic losses and we mourn for the victims and their loved ones.

• 2022 crash
• 2016 crash

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Westbound traffic has reduced visibility of the traffic signal upon approach to the intersection (seen in the picture of this petition).  This is due to the primary signal heads being located immediately behind the Hwy 10 overpass.  The red lights in the primary signal heads have visibility of about 350 feet.  Secondary signal heads are often blocked by other vehicles.  Local speed limits are 50 mph.
• Westbound traffic turning from Hwy 96 onto Old Hwy 10 (towards the high school) has both limited visibility of the signal head and the majority of allowed turning happens during the cycle of a flashing yellow arrow (indicating to drivers they must first yield to opposing traffic)
• Eastbound traffic has just exited the newly (2015) Diverted Diamond Interchange (DDI) at Hwy 96/I-35W interchange.  This style of interchange, though statistically safer and less stressful, involves unfamiliar traffic patterns and chaotic signal head locations.
• Eastbound traffic passes through a maximum of five intersections in the first mile of Hwy 96 leading up to this intersection.  It is likely that this disruptive traffic pattern increases driver’s desires to ignore yellow lights in favor of getting through the signal more quickly.

CALL TO ACTION:

1. (IMMEDIATE) Disable the flashing yellow arrow for westbound Hwy 96 to Old Hwy 10.
2. (IMMEDIATE) Conduct a formal traffic assessment of the intersection to review speed, signals, spacing, flow, etc.
3. (IMMEDIATE) Increase the cycle time of red-to-green to give drivers more protection against drivers running yellow lights.
4. (IMMEDIATE) Increase the number of green arrow cycles during rush hour during the school year (September to June) to accommodate the increase in vehicle traffic heading to the high school from Hwy 96.
5. (future) Relocating westbound signal heads to the eastern side of Hwy 10 overpass to improve visibility

Together we can protect students and all drivers and passengers.