Minneapolis, Minnesota Speed Traps
Hennepin Ave. Mississippi River Bridge East bound.
Minneapolis Police sit on the grounds of the Nicollet Island Inn (To drivers right travelling eastbound) and you cannot see them until you get over rise of bridge and it’s too late. Posted speed is 30mph on bridge only.
W bound 7th st at Olson Memorial Highway
West bond on 7th St on the downward slope of the hill. They like to have several squads sit on the island at the turn off to 6th ave. By Metro Transit Garage. They have even caught city buses on this one. Oh yeah they have tow truck ready to haul vehicles away at any time. BEWARE
Hiawatha Avenue between downtown and Hwy 62
Background: Dispute between local residents and commuters as to what would be a reasonable speed posting (currently 35 MPH) for this divided 4-lane highway with limited cross streets all having signals. No homes or yards border this road, and significant parts are between high sound walls.
Problem: For normally responsible drivers, the visual cues for safe driving (narrow roads, homes, sidewalks, visual obstructions such as parking) that would cause drivers to naturally slow their speed are not present. The visual cues do NOT match the posted speed limit, which at the north end of this route drop suddenly from 55 while the road is still 5 lanes wide southbound! This is misleading, and one abiding by the posted speed limit is in serious danger of being rear-ended. Why the professionals at both DOT and the City cannot figure this out is amazing to me!
Solution: Make a better match between visual safety clues (better signage)and the posted speed limit (raise limit?) and stop abusing normally safe drivers.
Note: I have not been the recipient of a ticket.
55/Hiawatha about mile from exit from 35W
The exit takes you from 55mph of 35W southbound to 50Mph on the ramp. soon there is a "reduced speed sign" on right then a 35Mph sign as you pass over Lake Street. Most folks are still going 50/55. SLOW DOWN. I commute this way and in the last month i see nearly 2/3 pull overs on or near the bridges everyday. It’s not obvious because its a 3 or 4 lane highway still and it’s set at 35mph.
Hennepin Avenue Bridge, northbound
(1-3) Cruisers sit midway across bridge in the turnoff for Nicollet Island Inn –they’re pretty well obstructed by bridge pilings –keep it at 35 or things get expen$ive. Usually in effect from 7-1am or so.