WAYZATA — In response to persistent concerns over safety and congestion along Central Avenue North (County Road 101), the City of Wayzata and Hennepin County will hold a public listening event on Monday, May 5, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Gleason Lake Elementary School.
The session invites residents to share firsthand experiences related to traffic volumes, turning behaviors, and pedestrian safety between Highway 12 and Wayzata Boulevard—a corridor that has drawn increasing scrutiny from families, commuters, and school officials alike.
Mayor Andrew Mullin says the issue has been a consistent topic of concern since the beginning of his mayoral campaign.
“From the very start of my campaign last October, residents—especially those in neighborhoods like Hollybrook—have made it clear this corridor poses real safety challenges,” Mullin said. “It’s not just about traffic. The bigger issue is safety.”
Many Wayzata residents live in neighborhoods directly impacted by traffic along Central Avenue, including Shady Lane, Harmony Circle, Pond Ridge, Hollybrook, Waycliffe, and Kingswood Farms in Plymouth. This stretch of road serves as a key connector to Wayzata Boulevard, Highway 12, and the Luce Line Trail—a heavily used route for pedestrians and cyclists.
Concerns have intensified around student safety at Gleason Lake Elementary, which sits near the corridor. The Luce Line State Trail crosses just west of the school, and while a tunnel beneath the road connects students and trail users under Central Avenue, access from the school and from the neighborhoods east of the highway remains problematic. The pedestrian crossing at Wayzata Boulevard and Central Avenue is also seen as hazardous, particularly during high-volume periods.
A focal point of concern is the removal of a static “No Turn on Red” sign at the Highway 12 off-ramp. “When the electronic no-turn-on-red sign is off, traffic pours off the freeway,” Hollybrook resident Austin Ditzler told the Star Tribune in February of 2024. “It makes it dangerous and difficult for us to exit Hollybrook”.
In emails to Mayor Mullin, residents have described near-misses and collisions resulting from drivers ignoring lane markings and red lights.
“There is no sign about not crossing the solid line exiting 394,” wrote one resident. “I’ve been side-swiped twice from people doing that and they don’t think they did anything wrong”.
Another resident added, “We spoke when you were on the campaign trail last fall. I believe it is just a matter of time before there is a serious accident at this turn… even during the window of time when there is a no-turn sign at the stoplight, it is ignored”.
Among the potential short-term fixes under consideration:
- Restoring a permanent “No Turn on Red” sign at the Highway 12 off-ramp (MnDOT)
- Reducing the current 45 mph speed limit (MnDOT)
- Enhancing the Luce Line Trail crossing near Gleason Lake Elementary (Three Rivers Park District)
- Reducing the corridor from four lanes to three, pending final results of a Hennepin County traffic study
Mullin emphasized the city’s desire to work collaboratively across jurisdictions: “We’ve heard you, and now we want to listen more closely to shape action.”
Residents are strongly encouraged to attend the session and share their stories. City officials hope the collective input will help guide near-term improvements and longer-term planning for one of Wayzata’s most critical and heavily used roadways.
If you go:
Monday May 5th, 2025
7pm – 8pm
Gleason Lake Elementary
310 County Road 101
Plymouth MN 55447
Hosted by Wayzata Mayor Andrew Mullin. For more information, call (952) 404-5327 or email amullin@wayzata.org.
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