Dakota County pedestrian safety: it’s no accident

By Joe Atkins | Dakota County Commissioner | July 2025

If it feels like you’re seeing more pedestrian safety improvements lately in Dakota County, it’s not your imagination. It’s the result of years of focused work, growing urgency and strong community commitment.

When I was first elected county commissioner in 2016, I was struck by the number of serious injuries and fatalities involving pedestrians and bicyclists on our roads. These weren’t just statistics, they were neighbors. A teenager biking to school in Eagan. A young boy crossing Concord Street. A senior riding his bike on that same busy corridor. A woman hit trying to cross 80th Street in Inver Grove Heights. I heard their stories. I spoke with their families. I saw how these tragedies rippled across our communities.

Sadly, this isn’t just a local problem. Pedestrian deaths reached a 40-year high in the U.S. last year, according to a recent NPR report. The causes are many – more cars, distracted driving, larger vehicles – but one factor stands out: speed kills. A study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that a pedestrian hit at 23 mph has a 10% chance of dying. At 42 mph, it’s 50%. The risk keeps rising from there.

dakota county joe atkins — Dakota County Commissioner Joe Atkins

That’s especially relevant to our county roads, where speeds typically range from 35 to 50 mph. These corridors move traffic efficiently, but they also pose serious risks to people walking or biking.

At the same time, more people are out walking, biking and using scooters and e-bikes than ever before, for health, recreation, saving money and sustainability. Our sidewalks, crosswalks and trails are busier than ever and our infrastructure must keep up. That’s why Dakota County has made pedestrian safety such a high priority. We’ve teamed up with cities and schools to lower speed limits, install safer crossings, build multi-use trails and create school zones. We’ve also partnered with the State and local schools on Safe Routes to School efforts. These programs engage families in safer daily travel to and from our neighborhood schools.

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Some of the biggest improvements are happening on our busiest roads:
Concord Street: From South St. Paul into Inver Grove Heights, major upgrades are underway, including safer crosswalks, better lighting, flashing signs, speed control and new trail connections.

Southview Boulevard & Oakdale Avenue: Expanded sidewalks and multi-use trails are already improving access and safety.

Wentworth Avenue & Robert Street: Enhancements to the River to River Greenway now better connect schools, parks and the Wentworth Library, along with a new pedestrian tunnel beneath Robert Street.

Delaware Avenue near Two Rivers High School: New sidewalks and crossings are already making a difference, with more improvements coming.

Butler Avenue: Improvements include a new school zone at Heritage Middle School, with signage and traffic-calming, and the eastern stretch from Robert Street to Highway 52 is being rebuilt with a focus on safety.

These improvements help more than just pedestrians, they benefit drivers, too. When people walking and biking are clearly separated from vehicle traffic, roads become less stressful and safer for everyone.

Some of the most inspiring progress is happening around schools. A big shout-out to the students and staff at Kaposia Elementary in South St. Paul. With help from Dakota County, they redesigned intersections and launched safety education efforts. As one school leader put it: “There has been an observed increase in pedestrian safety, improved vehicle adherence to traffic laws, and safer intersections for our safety patrol to work.”

That’s what success looks like.

This issue is personal to me. I’ve met the families of those lost or injured. I made a quiet promise to make pedestrian safety a hallmark of my time in this role, so these tragedies don’t become just another statistic.

There’s more work to do. But every crosswalk, every flashing light, every school zone and trail connection is one step closer toward saving a life. The next time you see crews painting lines or pouring concrete along a roadway, take a moment. That’s not just asphalt and paint. It’s protection. It’s prevention. And it’s peace of mind. It’s no accident.

Commissioner Joe Atkins represents South St. Paul, West St. Paul and Inver Grove Heights on the Dakota County Board of Commissioners. If you have ideas for improving pedestrian safety – or any county concerns – you can reach him at Joe.Atkins@co.dakota.mn.us or 651-438-4430.

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