WINONA, Minn. – Mayor Scott Sherman said it’s imponderable whether a failed city plan for traffic and safety changes on Broadway would have prevented recent pedestrian accidents. The past decade has seen about one pedestrian accident a year on the busy street. Two with life-threatenuig injuries have been this year. In a KWNO interview, Sherman expressed disappointment that he City Council voted 4-3 against Broadway changes a year ago. He himself favored the changes. The two recent accidents, at Washington Street and near Zumbro Street, were at sections of Broadway that would have been reduced from four to three lanes. Asked if more policing would help, Sherman was doubtful. Police are too short-staffed to increase monitoring traffic speeds effectively on Broadway, he said. “Regardless if we have enforcement there or not, it is on the onus of the public to drive safely, drive within the speed limit,” he said.
Earlier: Could Broadway have been made safer?
Verbatim
Mayor: “I don’t care if you’re talking to staff, a community member, a Council member, no one wants to see someone get hurt regardless of what the situation is. Ultimately it comes down to us to try and make these infrastructure pieces as safe as possible for people.”
Sherman. No quick fixes on Broadway dangers.