A ribbon cutting took place Monday, September 30, at 11:00 a.m. at an intersection connecting the communities of Crookston and Warren. This celebration showcased a historically dangerous intersection turned into a roundabout. Visibility had been an issue at the intersection of Highway 75 and County Rd 21 in the past and has been attributed to multiple accidents, some resulting in death.
The County has tried in the past to make this intersection safer by using warning signage, and it did work for a time, but it was clear a different solution was needed. Roundabouts have been known to decrease accidents in areas such as this, and it was decided that a roundabout was what this intersection needed, with a plan that included farm machinery being able to get through.
Many were on hand on September 30 for the ribbon cutting. Attendees included Polk County Engineer Richard Sanders and many of his team, District 1 delegates, Law Enforcement, MNDOT commissioner and staff members, and special guest Holly Kostrzewski. Holly sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury as a result of an accident at the intersection years ago.
The roundabout site still needs a little cleanup work and finishing touches, but it was officially open for traffic as of 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 1, 2024.