What could be the state's first designated road crossing for airplanes soon may be coming to Duluth.
Cirrus Aircraft hopes to move its painting and finishing operations into a new facility to be built on the south side of Airport Road. But traffic will need to be stopped in order to get airplanes from Cirrus' production plant on the north side of the road to the proposed completion center at the opposite curb.
Beth Petrowske, a spokeswoman for the Minnesota Department of Transportation, said staff at her agency know of no other place in the state where motorists would encounter an airplane crossing. But that's not to say it can't be done, she said, noting that such a crossing could be allowed if adequate traffic controls were provided.
"It's unusual, but it's nothing we cannot overcome," said Jim Benning, Duluth's director of public works.
Bill King, Cirrus' vice president of business administration, said his company is committed to working with local authorities to make sure the airplane crossing is safe and poses a minimal inconvenience. He predicts planes can be shuttled across the road fairly swiftly with the help of a tug.
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"The last thing we want is anybody getting exposed to any potential for getting hurt," he said, suggesting that perhaps crossarms and signals could be installed and used for the handful of daily crossings Cirrus expects to make with airplanes.
