While reduced conflict intersections are becoming more common in Minnesota, a new one in Anoka County has an added twist that’s tying up some drivers.

What are reduced conflict intersections? They’re used on four-lane highways where traffic makes it risky to cross or turn left from other roads. Instead of driving straight across all four lanes and risking a T-bone crash, drivers first have to make a right turn and then a U-turn to get across or go left.

Usually reduced conflict intersections are in rural areas with no traffic signals. But a new one at Minnesota 65 and Viking Boulevard in East Bethel has stoplights — the first time they’ve been used in a reduced conflict intersection in Minnesota — and traffic isn’t moving through them as smoothly as it could.

“It’s kind of annoying,” said a gas station employee who drives through the new intersection to get to work. “Sometimes the lights don’t work very good.”

The new intersection has gotten mixed reviews from the community since it opened in June. On a Facebook post by the Anoka County sheriff’s office about the construction, comments ranged from “this is dangerous” to “I really like the new intersection.”

According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the stoplights at the reduced conflict intersection are still being adjusted but will prove a safer and more efficient traffic path in the long run.

“It takes a few weeks to coordinate the timing on all the lights, so motorists can expect ongoing tweaks as we continue to improve,” said Sheila Kauppi, manager of MnDOT’s North Area. “We have modified the coordination of the signals and currently people have been more satisfied.”

There are about 15 reduced conflict intersections in Minnesota, including one at Minnesota 36 and Demontreville Trail in Lake Elmo. The purpose is to limit potential crash points, and studies show they reduce fatal crashes by up to 70 percent and injury crashes by 42 percent. Typical divided highway intersections are prone to dangerous broadside collisions.

STOP ON RED, THEN GO

Despite the required U-turn, the intersections also can improve the flow of traffic because cars don’t have to wait as long to cross the highway if they can just merge right and then make a quick U-turn. Rush hour traffic conditions have improved, according to MnDOT.

“Motorists who travel on Highway 65 northbound and southbound during peak hours have provided positive feedback,” Kauppi said.

According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the 65 and Viking intersection sees more traffic than it was originally built for. The $2.8 million upgrade aims to better accommodate the rising number of vehicles. Five other intersections on Minnesota 65 also are getting the reduced-conflict treatment, but without stoplights, at a cost of $5.7 million.

For drivers going north and south on 65, not much has changed. But for those crossing 65 at Viking, there are a few important adjustments to be made.

Like other reduced conflict intersections, drivers traveling east or west on Viking Boulevard must turn right instead of directly crossing the highway. Next, drivers change lanes to one of the two left turn lanes on the highway to make a U-turn.

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Road restrictions on I-94 Wednesday as beams installed in Dale Street Bridge in St. Paul The U-turn is mediated with a standard green, yellow and red light sequence. When red, drivers must come to a complete stop and scan the highway for traffic. However, it is legal for drivers to turn left on red if there is no oncoming traffic.

Many drivers are waiting for the light to turn green, but Kauppi said that’s completely OK.

“We didn’t want there to be any confusion from motorists thinking that they must turn left on red, or that they should ever do so before coming to a complete stop first,” Kauppi said. “Motorists can always choose to wait for a green light.”

Kauppi said further adjustments to the intersection are possible.

“Being this intersection is the first in Minnesota, we are continuing to modify and monitor the location,” she said.