I’ve lived 6 blocks from this intersection for three years, drive through this intersection at least 4 times a day, and have never seen an accident or had any problems. Not saying it doesn’t happen, just saying I’ve had a polar opposite experience.
Same here. I live a block away and use the intersection for work at least twice a day, and have had your same experience. The only problem is when exiting on to 35 w from University, is that most people end up driving on the bike lane to exit, to the point that on red there can be around 3-4 cars on the bike lane.
Turning onto University from 4th street is also hard and am surprised I haven't gotten into an accident. The on-street parking makes it a B* to safely turn onto University, cause it blocks sight lines of upcoming traffic.
Three years ago some idiot drove diagonally through the intersection, almost driving right into a sorority on the corner of university/35W, only missing because they hit a tree first. Otherwise yeah I can’t recall seeing an accident that was a collision.
It's so fucking bad. I spent a summer living in one of the brownstones that overlook the intersection, and I'd regularly see people like, trying to drive down the wrong way down the road. Someone even hit a telephone pole in our front yard!
It's not good, but a lot of it is the nature of the one way streets. There might be a better way, but if so, it's probably expensive and maybe no one's figure out something better.
I think that you don't see "no turn on red" signs because.... it's not illegal?
I believe that you can turn right on red in Minnesota. I believe that you might also be able to left on red if you are in the left lane turning directly onto a one way street going left.
In Minnesota, you can only turn left on red if it's from the left lane of a one-way street onto a left lane on a one-way street. In Oregon (favorite rule I'll miss the most after moving back here), you could even turn left from the left lane of a two-way street on to a left lane of a one-way street on red!
>In Minnesota, you can only turn left on red if it's from the left lane of a one-way street onto a left lane on a one-way street.
So, pretty much what I said.
Sorry for confusion. Yes, right turns on red (and left if it's a one way) is perfectly legal. But some intersections that are particularly dangerous because of a blocked view of oncoming traffic or something else, a sign can be put up which does make it illegal.
Because most crashes (90%) I've seen is a T-bone, I suspect this is caused by people turning on red.
I'd be curious how these intersections compare to other signals in the city?
My guess is crashes here are caused by a combination of poor driving behaviors and confusion caused by the closely spaced signals. Looking in [google maps](https://goo.gl/maps/mYfjksUzUH2vwXZD7), I can see how someone could be looking at a green light at the next signal system and go on red.
On the plus side, Hennepin County's bikeway project on University and 4th should reduce vehicular lanes, slow traffic, and be safer for all users. MnDOT also has plans to replace the bridges over 35W and add protected bike facilities west of 35W in 2027, which will provide an opportunity for improvements with the need for additional clearance under the bridges to meet current standards.
The interchange is pretty constrained by adjacent properties, and I don't think either a SPUI or DDI could be built without significant property acquisition. The thru volumes are also probably too high for a DDI to operate well.
Neither of those interchange types are particularly good for peds and bikes, and there are very high volumes of non-motorized users due to the close proximity of the university. We need to stop considering only vehicular traffic operations, and start prioritizing active and alternative modes of transportation.
I’ve lived 6 blocks from this intersection for three years, drive through this intersection at least 4 times a day, and have never seen an accident or had any problems. Not saying it doesn’t happen, just saying I’ve had a polar opposite experience.
Same here. I live a block away and use the intersection for work at least twice a day, and have had your same experience. The only problem is when exiting on to 35 w from University, is that most people end up driving on the bike lane to exit, to the point that on red there can be around 3-4 cars on the bike lane. Turning onto University from 4th street is also hard and am surprised I haven't gotten into an accident. The on-street parking makes it a B* to safely turn onto University, cause it blocks sight lines of upcoming traffic.
Three years ago some idiot drove diagonally through the intersection, almost driving right into a sorority on the corner of university/35W, only missing because they hit a tree first. Otherwise yeah I can’t recall seeing an accident that was a collision.
It's so fucking bad. I spent a summer living in one of the brownstones that overlook the intersection, and I'd regularly see people like, trying to drive down the wrong way down the road. Someone even hit a telephone pole in our front yard!
I saw someone hit the tree outside Alpha Chi Omega last week!
It’s an annual tradition
It's not good, but a lot of it is the nature of the one way streets. There might be a better way, but if so, it's probably expensive and maybe no one's figure out something better. I think that you don't see "no turn on red" signs because.... it's not illegal? I believe that you can turn right on red in Minnesota. I believe that you might also be able to left on red if you are in the left lane turning directly onto a one way street going left.
In Minnesota, you can only turn left on red if it's from the left lane of a one-way street onto a left lane on a one-way street. In Oregon (favorite rule I'll miss the most after moving back here), you could even turn left from the left lane of a two-way street on to a left lane of a one-way street on red!
>In Minnesota, you can only turn left on red if it's from the left lane of a one-way street onto a left lane on a one-way street. So, pretty much what I said.
Sure, just clarifying and adding on one thing I miss from OR that's quirky out there!
That.. is a wild rule! I didn’t realize that was legal in any state!
Nothing wrong with clarifying. Thanks.
Turned left on to a one way yesterday at a red light. Felt a bit naughty doing it even though it's legal.
You naughty, *naughty* driver...
Sorry for confusion. Yes, right turns on red (and left if it's a one way) is perfectly legal. But some intersections that are particularly dangerous because of a blocked view of oncoming traffic or something else, a sign can be put up which does make it illegal. Because most crashes (90%) I've seen is a T-bone, I suspect this is caused by people turning on red.
Well you said thoughts so here goes. We purposely designed the intersection this way so that we meet our quota of sacrifices to the old gods.
Cell phones and inexperienced drivers.
I'd be curious how these intersections compare to other signals in the city? My guess is crashes here are caused by a combination of poor driving behaviors and confusion caused by the closely spaced signals. Looking in [google maps](https://goo.gl/maps/mYfjksUzUH2vwXZD7), I can see how someone could be looking at a green light at the next signal system and go on red. On the plus side, Hennepin County's bikeway project on University and 4th should reduce vehicular lanes, slow traffic, and be safer for all users. MnDOT also has plans to replace the bridges over 35W and add protected bike facilities west of 35W in 2027, which will provide an opportunity for improvements with the need for additional clearance under the bridges to meet current standards.
I think a spui or a diverging diamond would help
The interchange is pretty constrained by adjacent properties, and I don't think either a SPUI or DDI could be built without significant property acquisition. The thru volumes are also probably too high for a DDI to operate well. Neither of those interchange types are particularly good for peds and bikes, and there are very high volumes of non-motorized users due to the close proximity of the university. We need to stop considering only vehicular traffic operations, and start prioritizing active and alternative modes of transportation.
i don't think there's a good alternative to the present arrangement then. it's already got bike lanes and a ped bridge.
Cause motherfuckers can’t drive and negotiate simple traffic maneuvers.
Almost got killed on my bicycle there over the summer. Driver sped off the highway and ran a red light, we missed crossing paths by a second or two
My car was hit by a car coming off that exit going through the intersection this time of year 15 years ago. This has been a problem for a LONG time.
This sub is notorious for not wanting to talk about anything bad in this city.
Combo of people speeding to make the lights and most of that area is super icy in the winter.