Coon Rapids Resident Urges City Action On Traffic Safety Hazards In Northwest Neighborhood

Coon Rapids Resident Urges City Action On Traffic Safety Hazards In Northwest Neighborhood

COON RAPIDS, MN — A local resident is calling for immediate traffic safety improvements in a Coon Rapids neighborhood after raising concerns at a recent City Council meeting about frequent accidents and dangerous driving behavior.

During the open mic session of the July 15 Coon Rapids City Council meeting, Kurt Cole, who resides at 2232 Lily Street Northwest, voiced deep concern over what he described as persistent traffic hazards at the intersections of 124th Avenue NW, 121st Avenue NW, and Crooked Lake Boulevard NW.

Cole cited a troubling pattern of vehicle crashes, illegal passing maneuvers on road shoulders and turn lanes, and a lack of basic pedestrian safety infrastructure, including painted crosswalks and visible signage. He emphasized that these deficiencies pose a significant risk, particularly to children walking or biking to nearby parks and to residents traveling on foot to nearby stores.

“This isn’t just about cars speeding—this is about the safety of families, kids, and seniors who live here,” Cole said. “We’ve had accidents. We’ve had close calls. And it feels like we’re waiting for something tragic to happen before changes are made.”

Cole urged the city to take immediate action, calling for:

• Increased traffic enforcement
• Installation of clearer and more prominent signage
• Painting and maintaining crosswalks
• Evaluation of traffic calming measures such as speed humps or stop signs

City council members acknowledged the comments but did not deliberate on the issue during the open forum. It is expected that city staff may follow up on Cole’s concerns and assess the area for potential improvements.

The City of Coon Rapids encourages residents to report safety concerns directly through its online service request portal. Residents can also follow up with city officials or attend future council meetings, which are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at City Hall (11155 Robinson Dr NW).

MinneapoliMedia will continue monitoring developments and responses from city officials regarding this neighborhood safety issue.

MinneapoliMedia