Update 3 p.m.
WILLMAR -- Additional signs and reflective delineators on curves will be installed on the newly-opened Business 71 intersection at Kandiyohi county Road 24 and 23rd Street Northeast in Willmar, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
The intersection saw its first accident just before noon on Wednesday, after its opening on Tuesday. No one was injured in the mishap. Slippery conditions may have contributed to the accident. The driver also told a tow truck driver he was confused by the new intersection.
A Willmar Police spokesperson said that two two mishaps have occurred this afternoon that happened south of the intersection, which officers said were not related to the intersection, but involved people driving too fast on slippery roads and going off the road.
Mn/DOT reported Wednesday that it intends to continue monitoring the intersection. It will install additional reflective delineators on curves for southbound and northbound traffic accessing CR 24 and 23rd Street.
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It will also add new signing for the emergency vehicle crossover.
Installation of overhead lighting is expected to be completed by mid-December, weather permitting.
Intersections similar to the one on Business 71 have improved safety by reducing the number of injury crashes by approximately 80 percent, according to Mn/DOT.
