A Complete Street is one that is safe for everyone using the road.

MnDOT recently updated its Complete Streets policy to give clearer guidance on how to apply a Complete Streets approach in all phases of planning, scoping, project development, construction, operations and maintenance.

“The goal of Complete Streets is to design and operate an entire right of way that provides safe and convenient access for everyone who is using the road,” said Nissa Tupper, MnDOT’s Transportation and Public Health Planning Director. “For MnDOT project managers, this may mean prioritizing things like sidewalks or medians to help people walking cross safely, converting vehicle travel lanes to other uses, narrowing vehicle lanes, or changing parking configurations.”

Policy changes took effect Oct. 31. The changes prioritize safety for the most vulnerable users and encourage consistent implementation of a Complete Streets approach across the state. Changes include:

• Required Complete Streets reporting earlier in the process, starting at project planning.
• Revised responsibilities for planners, project managers, project sponsors, maintenance engineers, superintendents and supervisors, public engagement and communications professionals, and landscape architects.
• A new Project Transportation Hierarchy Tool that provides a starting point to identify user group priorities. The tool offers a process to understand user needs as they’re linked to context, safety, transportation characteristics, and plans, policies and values.
• Updated project types that are exempt from the policy. This includes some maintenance activities, landscaping or roadside infrastructure projects that don’t directly affect the layout or user mobility.

For example, when the city of Duluth completed a full reconstruction of Superior Street in 2020, a main downtown business corridor that intersects Lake Avenue, MnDOT worked with area partners to implement Complete Streets. This included new sidewalks and bringing traffic signals and pedestrian ramps into compliance with ADA requirements. Additionally, the project addressed the needs of people riding bicycles by adding a bike lane on the bridge. This is one of several project examples showcased on MnDOT’s new Complete Streets Case Studies webpage.

A new Complete Streets Handbook provides a one-stop-shop for policy procedures. It includes guidance for staff on how to implement a Complete Streets approach and comply with reporting requirements. The handbook can be found on the Complete Streets website and on iHUB.

Staff can attend an upcoming training session to fully understand how the policy update impacts day-to-day responsibilities and increase understanding of the new Complete Streets resources. Save the date for one of the training sessions, a formal announcement with registration details will follow soon:

• Nov. 29, 1-4:30 p.m. (virtual)
• Dec. 6, 1-4:30 p.m. (in person, MnDOT St. Paul Central Office)
• Dec. 12, 1-4:30 p.m. (in person, MnDOT Shoreview Training Center)
• Dec. 13, 1-4:30 p.m. (in person, MnDOT St. Cloud Training Center)

The Office of Sustainability and Public Health is now the policy owner and lead technical assistance provider on policy implementation for staff. Contact Nissa Tupper, transportation and public health planning director, at Nissa.tupper@state.mn.us, with any questions.

By Emma Olson, District 4

District 4 held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Hwy 29 overpass project on Oct. 17. District Engineer Shiloh Wahl, Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger, Pope County Commissioner Gordy Wagner, Rep. Paul Anderson and Sen. Torrey Westrom all spoke at the event. Pope County Commissioner Gordy Wagner drove the first car over the bridge, followed by Glacial Ridge Ambulance, Glenwood Police Department, Glenwood Fire Department and the Pope County Sheriff’s Department, highlighting how the new bridge will improve emergency response times, which was a primary benefit to building the overpass. The bridge officially opened to the public on Oct. 27.

For more information about the project, visit the Hwy 29 overpass web page.

Open enrollment for 2023 insurance benefits started on Oct. 27 and will close on Nov. 16. During this period, employees can sign up for medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance and pre-tax savings accounts. New features include an enhanced fertility benefit (through HealthPartners) and an expanded travel benefit.

To enroll, log in to the Self Service Portal, then select “Self Service,” “Benefits” and then “Open Enrollment.”

Two useful links to know:

• Check your primary care clinic’s cost levels using the 2023 Find a Clinic tool. Your clinic may be available with another plan administrator at a lower cost level, which means lower out-of-pocket costs for you.
• Find all insurance premium rates, including new medical and dental rates, in the 2023 rate guide.

MnDOT’s mentor and sponsor program is returning in 2023, and applications are now open.

The program helps employees thrive in the workplace by connecting them with more experienced peers to receive guidance and feedback, identify strengths and opportunities, plan professional goals, build a network and just chat. The programs begin in January and last one year.

Full details were included in the Oct. 5 issue of Newsline.

An upcoming session, conducted virtually via Teams, will provide more information for anyone interested in participating in the programs, either as a sponsor/mentor or a mentee.

Thursday, Nov. 10, 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. (Teams link)

To apply for the mentor and sponsor program, complete this online application. If you have any questions, please contact Frida Alvarez, diversity and inclusion organizational development specialist.