It's time for some action on the intersection of Business Highway 71 and Kandiyohi County Road 24 before someone else loses their life.
This intersection, located near the Eagle Creek Golf Course, Kandiyohi County Health and Human Services building and the Law Enforcement Center, is facing increasing traffic.
The busy intersection will only become busier.
The roadway to the west is serving as a significant outlet for the housing development off Country Club Drive and Eagle Ridge Drive and for Ridgewater College.
Further development to the west, like the senior living development at County Road 24 and 15th Avenue Northwest, and other development to the northwest will only increase the traffic at the intersection.
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The roadway to the east of the intersection has significant traffic from the Health and Human Services and LEC buildings. In addition, the street to the east is a shortcut for many to Willmar Senior High School.
Add all of the above to Business 71/23 being the primary highway artery from the north for the city of Willmar and you have a recipe for what is now happening: regular accidents at this location.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation made some short-term changes in 2006, but as a Tribune article reported Thursday, the changes have not helped. There have been five major accident in the 12-month period reported.
It is time for all the stakeholders -- MnDOT, city of Willmar and Kandiyohi County -- to seek other solutions for this intersection.
And it should be done as soon as possible before another life is lost.
