They say throwing money at a problem won’t make it go away.

Thursday, May 10, 2001

They say throwing money at a problem won’t make it go away. Sometimes, however, spending extra money is the best way to alleviate a problem without having to revisit the same dilemma.

That’s the case when it comes to Albert Lea’s Clark-Fountain-Bridge intersection near the shore of Fountain Lake. In this case, the most drastic, and therefore the most expensive, option appears to be the one that would provide the best long-term outcome.

Rerouting portions of Clark and Fountain streets to form a clean four-way intersection at Bridge Avenue would eliminate the awkward angles and traffic patterns created by the existing configuration.

The plan would take longer and cost more than other options, but consider the future. Ten years from now, which is the plan that will leave the fewest residual problems and quirks?

Of course, there are other options. The concrete-island approach, which would restrict turns, is the least attractive. Some have mentioned making Bridge and Fountain one-way streets for a stretch, which actually makes some sense. The streets are configured naturally for such a system. But it may create more traffic pressure points further down the line.

Adding strategically-placed stoplights is another option that could provide some relief, while still not addressing the fundamental problem of the intersection’s layout.

It’s ironic that the issue is being addressed now, however. Traffic seemed to be at its worst at the intersection when the high school was on Clark Street and when portions of Main Street were closed. Now, the high school has moved, Main Street is open, and the intersection is headed for a fix.

That aside, Albert Lea’s erratic traffic patterns would take a turn for the better if the city did the intersection the right way.