Further research about changing South Broadway into a three-lane roadway was put on hold Monday night during the Albert Lea City Council meeting.

The council tabled having an engineer study the feasibility of a three-lane road on South Broadway from Main Street to Seventh Street.

Councilors said they wanted more time to discuss the possibility at their next workshop.

The idea to turn South Broadway into three lanes — including two driving lanes and a center turn lane  — came from nationally known transportation expert Dan Burden, who visited the community earlier this month and offered multiple suggestions for the corridor. He looked at making the roadway safer for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists and said Albert Lea’s traffic counts did not warrant having four lanes of traffic.

If two driving lanes were taken out, there could be bike lanes on both sides and angled parking on one or both sides, he said.

South Broadway south of Main Street is also known as U.S. Highway 65 and is maintained by the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The road is slated for a state mill and overlay project this summer, with plans for a four-lane roadway; however, if the city wants to submit a proposal for a three-lane roadway, it must submit a change order by the end of February to MnDOT when the project will be advertised for bids. The request would be reviewed by a MnDOT team to see if it fits with the state’s overall plans and whether it would be financially and operationally functional.

The action came after resident Duane Vanderploeg expressed concerns during the public forum about Burden’s recommendations and the timeline that changes would need to take place.

He said he thought there needed to be more discussion in the community about the ideas before city officials recommend them to the state.

Vanderploeg said to reduce the number of lanes on Broadway seems counterproductive.

Albert Lea Mayor Vern Rasmussen said Burden’s visit to Albert Lea was not paid for by the city and is another option for the council to consider.

In other action, the council:

Requested several crosswalks be marked during the state’s resurfacing of U.S. Highway 65, which also includes Main Street from Newton Avenue to Washington Avenue.

According to city background information, the city is responsible for painting and maintaining pedestrian crossings that are not at signaled intersections.

The marked intersections the city is requesting be repainted and maintained by the city are at the intersections of Main Street and Washington Avenue, Highway 65 and Pearl Street, Highway 65 and Fifth Street and Highway 65 and Seventh Street.

Ordered the advertisement of bids for the reconstruction of Lakeview Boulevard, from Abbott Street to Wedge Street.

The reconstruction includes the removal of existing pavement, repairs to the existing utility infrastructure, storm drainage improvements, construction of an 8-feet wide concrete sidewalk on the east side of the street and reconstruction of the roadway to meet state and and federal aid standards.

Amended a professional agreement for about $25,000 with Mead & Hunt Inc. to analyze the realignment of Plaza Street on the north end of the city.

Extra review has to be completed because the street is within an existing runway protection zone, and the Federal Aviation Administration requires a detailed analysis be completed.

The city is requesting a state grant that would cover 80 percent of the cost.

Accepted a $14,485 donation to the city in the electronic sign that has been placed on the north side of the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. The sign was made possible through various donations, including one from actress Marion Ross.

Designated no parking on Lakeview Boulevard opposite of the lakeshore from Abbott Street to Wedge Street during the reconstruction of the street.

Awarded a bid for yearly gasoline and diesel fuel contract.

The contract was awarded to K&H Co-Op Oil Co. of Wesley, Iowa.

The low bid had been submitted by Kwik Trip of LaCrosse but the bid was withdrawn after the company and the city were unable to reach a final agreement.

Called a public hearing for Feb. 9 regarding an application for a grant for the Small Cities Development Program. The application seeks funding for owner-occupied housing rehabilitation in 2015 through the Housing and Redevelopment Authority and Semcac.

Recognized outgoing members on various boards and commissions.

Witnessed Albert Lea Mayor Vern Rasmussen declare January as National Mentoring Month.