4.6.A. SR 08-28-2000ITem # 4.6a.
Howard R, Green Qompany
CONSULTING ENGINEERS
August 17, 2000
File: 810970J-0325
Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of Elk River
13065 Orono Parkway
P.O. Box 490
Elk River, MN 5.5330-0490
RE: BUSINESS CENTER DRIVE STRIPING
Dear Council Members:
With the proposal for the Softpac Industries building moving forward, there is likely to be a
substantial amount of semi-truck traffic generated on Business Center Ddve. The proposed
building at full development will have 24 loading docks for shipping and receiving of materials. I
believe it would provide a much safer environment for vehicle traffic on Business Center Drive if
these semi-trucks could make left turns from a left turn lane. Therefore, I would recommend
that the City Council consider the restriping of Business Center Drive to a 3-lane configuration.
Providing a 3-lane configuration would require no movement of the outside curb lines of
Business Center Drive. There would be some minor modifications to the concrete median that
exists at the intersection of Business Center Drive and Joplin Avenue. These minor
modifications would provide for a left turn movement into the existing ddveway for the vacant
commercial lot at the southwest corner of the intersection. The attached exhibit shows how the
median could be modified to provide for this left turn lane and then introduce a center left turn
lane for all turning vehicles. As you are aware, we are just proceeding with the construction of
Business Center Ddve from the Sherbume County Government Center to Waco Street.
Therefore, it would be relatively easy to restdpe that portion of the roadway to continue the 3-
lane design all the way to Waco Street. Obviously the Stewart Wilson property has substantial
vacant land that could produce similar semi-truck traffic as is anticipated with the Softpac
Industry building.
I will be in attendance at Monday evening's City Council meeting to discuss this issue further
with you.
Sincerely,
Howard R. Green Company
TJM:tw
O:\PROJ~810970J\0325~r 8-17-00 Council.doc
1326 Energy Park Drive · St. Paul, MN 55108 · 651/644-4389 fax 651/644-9446 toll free 888/368-4389
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PROPOSED
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PROPOSED STRIPING
FUTURE DRIVEWAY
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CONSULTING ENGINEE S
City of
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