Will road to rage through reserve?

On Monday the Northfield City Council unanimously approved a study of the Cannon River bridge project. The bridge, that will connect Jefferson Parkway and Highway 3, could affect the construction of the road leading to the new hospital behind Skoglund Athletic Center.

The Northfield Planning Commission feels that the creation of a four-way intersection between the new road to the hospital and a road leading to the bridge is important. The commission is concerned that the other option, of two three-way intersections, would create traffic hazards.

Despite rumors that the road is already planned to pave through the School Nature Area Project, a preliminary study is the only decision that has been made so far.

Councilmember David Koenig said in the Northfield News that he was concerned with the views of environmentalists, while Councilmembers Dixon Bond, CC Linstroth, and Koenig expressed the desire for community opinion.

Mayor Keith Covey recognizes the importance of this new construction as an issue to both the city and to St. Olaf's community. ³We need to be sure we provide an adequate street system, which is critical for people in southeast Northfield,² said Covey. ³I understand St. Olaf's appropriate concern about going through their property. However, it is important to understand that a decision hasn't been made.²

SNAP has established wildlife preserves behind Skoglund Athletic Center and the surrounding intramural fields that provide a peaceful environment for students. A high traffic road through this sanctuary would have a drastic effect on the atmosphere it helps to create.

The years of work put into the project would be diminished as the road could possibly pave through the wetlands, hardwood forest, and running trails on St. Olaf's property.

According to Covey, the study can be expected to be finished in mid to late April. After the study is returned, a public hearing will be held in early May, which could lead to ordering a project in late May. If Covey's timeline is correct, preliminary construction would begin in the summer of 2001, with the bulk of construction finished in the summer of 2002.

It is important for the St. Olaf community to recognize this as a crucial issue now and use their voice. Senate already recognized this as an important issue for their Mar. 8 meeting. Kelley Zophy, St. Olaf's naturalist and Anna Swanson are organizing a campus voice in this issue and are taking important steps toward this issue.

Covey was invited to the student senate's Thursday meeting, but he was unable to attend to due a conflict.

With spring break approaching it is important for students to keep this development in mind until May ­ when the future of St. Olaf's campus and environment will be at stake. There are alternatives to a project that paves through SNAP and students should feel obligated to use their voice to encourage the pursuit of alternatives.

The city must be reminded that Northfield is a partnership between students and residents. That the student viewpoint is just as valid.