ST. PAUL – In response to numerous resident concerns about speed limit increases in the City of Hastings, State Representative Tony Jurgens (R-Cottage Grove) said he is scheduling a meeting with Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) officials to discuss the situation.
“I have been receiving many phone calls and emails about MnDOT’s decision to increase the speed limit on Highway 316 from Highway 61 to Tuttle Drive,” Jurgens said. “These same concerns were being brought to me when I was door knocking last summer. It’s a well-traveled road that’s difficult to access from a side street and in spots has no place for people to walk. Increasing the speed limit here is just asking for trouble.”
The speed limits are expected to take effect this spring, and the stretch of Highway 316 Jurgens references will jump from 35 to 40 miles per hour. A number of other speed changes in Hastings and near the city limits will also take place at this time.
Jurgens said he is pleased the City of Hastings has been working closely with MnDOT, noting in particular that its input was critical towards maintaining the speed limit near Roadside Park along Highway 55.
“I think city officials were wise to fight these changes, particularly to maintain the 35 mile an hour speed limit on that stretch of Highway 316,” Jurgens said. “At this point, I think it’s important for me to reach out to MnDOT and see if there’s anything more that can be done. Increasing the speed limit won’t increase safety in this area. In fact, I’m convinced that doing so will only make it more dangerous.”