3.0. PCSR 02-08-2005
ITEM # .l:..
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
February 2, 2005
The Honorable Chairman and
Planning Cmnmission Members
City of Elk River
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
RE: TRANSPORTATION ISSUES
Dear Planning Commission Members:
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Attached to this memo are three lists of transportation projects. The first list is projects that
have been completed the past several years; the second list is projects that are currently being
worked on by City staff; and the third list is projects that have been discussed or are
mentioned in Chapter 4 of the Transportation Plan which prioritizes improvement actions.
At your workshop meeting on Tuesday, February 8 2005, I would like to continue the
ongoing discussions we have had regarding transportation issues and potential projects. At
this time however, I would like the conversation to become more specific by starting to
prioritize transportation projects that are being discussed and! or listed in the Transportation
Plan, but are not currently being actively worked on by City staff. Also, if you have any
comments about projects that are being worked on by City staff, I would like to hear those
also.
My goal would be to get input and recommendations from the Planning Commission to
carty forward to the City Council, and ultimately getting direction from the City Council on
priorities and projects the staff should plan to work on in the near future.
At your worksession next week I will be prepared to discuss any of the projects listed on
these three lists in detail, or any other transportation issues you would like to talk about.
Sincerely,
Te~
. City Engineer
Phone: 763.635.1000
Fax: 763.635.1090
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COMPLE TED TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS
The Gty has been very proactive in looking for opportunities and partners to work together
to complete transportation projects throughout the Gty. Some of the completed projects in
the past few years are as follows:
1. Western Elk River
The Gty worked with MnDOT using Local Initiative Funds to close three or four access
points on rn 10. MnDOT then participated in the construction of Business Center
Drive between Joplin Street and Waco Street. MnDOT also participated in a portion of
Business Center Drivel north frontage road because of closures of access points on rn
10. The Gty established Joplin Street as the main north-south corridor and constructed
the four lane facility, creating a new intersection with rn 10 which was then signalized.
The Gty also worked with MnDOT to get the Waco Street intersection with rn 10
signalized. At the completion, there were two signalized intersections that met
MnDOTs spacing criteria with no breaks in the highway right-of-way between them.
2. East Elk River Improvements
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As the Gty embarked on the development of East Elk River, they were able to receive
Federal funding from Congressman Oberstar's office for the development, land
acquisition, and construction of the Twin Lakes Road corridor from rn 10 to CSAH 13.
Additional Federal aid dollars were secured for the reconstruction of 175th Avenue from
Twin Lakes Road to Fillmore Street. The Gty utilized their Municipal State Aid dollars
for the reconstruction of Fillmore Street from 175th Avenue to CSAH 12. In working
with Sherburne County, who had programmed an improvement on CSAH 12, the Gty
was able to get the County to expand their reconstruction so that the western portion of
CSAH 12 was rebuilt as a four lane urban roadway. The eastern portion was rebuilt as a
two lane rural roadway with wider shoulders. The Gty then worked with MnDOT to get
a signalized intersection at 171st Avenue and rn 10, which is really the southern end of
the Twin Lakes Road corridor. Finally, the Gtyworked with MnDOT using the Local
Initiative Funding from MnDOT for the connection.
3. Main Street/rn 10 Geometric and Signal Improvements
The Gty again secured Federal funding for geometric improvements to the intersection
of Main Street at rn 10, which then allowed the signal to be modified to provide left
turn arrows for the Main Street legs of the intersection.
4. rn 169 Pedestrian Bridge
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Using Federal funding received from Congressman Oberstar's office, the Gtywas able
to construct the pedestrian bridge across rn 169 just north of School Street to provide a
connection from the residential neighborhoods on the east side to the commercial and
school facilities on the west side.
Completed Transportation Projects
January 31,2005
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5. School Street Upgrades
Over the years the Gty has used Municipal State Aid dollars for the upgrade of School
Street, which is now ultimately a four lane roadway from 1H 169 to Proctor Avenue and
includes four signalized intersections along the route.
6. CSAH 1 Upgrade
The Gty was able to work with Sherburne County on the upgrade of CSAH 1 from 1H
10 to County Road 32 and get that roadway designed to a four lane urban standard,
anticipating residential growth in that portion of the Gty. The County had initially
planned to upgrade it to a two lane rural roadway. Through the Gty working with the
County, the design was changed to a four lane urban design including a detached
pathway.
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TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS
CURRENTLY BEING WORKED ON
1. Turnback and reconstruction of County Road 40 (develand Avenue)
The City has been working with Sherburne Countyforthe past 12 -18 months,
negotiating a turnback of County Road 40 (develand Avenue) between c;AH 12 and
c;AH 13. Sherburne County has received a Federal Grant of approximately $700,000 in
fiscal year 2006 for the reconstruction of develand Avenue. This negotiation process is
currently at the stage where the City and the County are beginning to discuss specifics of
what the turnback agreement will say. Under the terms of the turnback agreement, it is
anticipated that the City will lead the design and construction and the County will simply
fund their portion. It is anticipated that construction will begin in 2006.
2. Realignment of c;AH 33 and County Road 77 West of 1H 169
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The City has facilitated several meetings over the past 2 - 3 years involving the City,
Sherburne County, the gravel mining landowners, and the owners of small utilities to
discuss the realignment of c;AH 33 west of 1H 169 and the realignment of County
Road 77 (Proctor Avenue) north of the Brentwood Addition, through the gravel mining
areas as these areas are mined out and reclaimed for other development. Sherburne
County has acquired a Federal Grant in fiscal year 2007 for the paving of this project.
The general agreement has been that the mining companies will build the roadbed and
provide the gravel base. It is anticipated that in Spring of 2005, Proctor Avenue north of
the Brentwood Addition will be closed to traffic and allowed to be mined by the gravel
mining companies. After mining is complete, the new roadbed alignments will be
established and will be paved in late 2006 or early 2007. The paving project will not only
pave the new alignments, but will continue on the c;AH 33 existing alignment west to
c;AH 1, according to Sherburne County.
3. Establish Guidelines for County Road Access in the Northern Third of the City
We have begun preliminary meetings with Sherburne County staff in anticipation of the
development of the northern third of the City in accordance with the recently approved
Comprehensive Plan. The idea is to establish general guidelines of where the best
locations are for permanent access points onto County and City roads in the northern
third of the City. Also, to provide a policy for temporary access points so that no
property will be denied an opportunity to develop due to access issues. We anticipate
continuing periodic meetings over the next 12 - 24 months.
4. 1H 169 Environmental and Geometric Study
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The City has been working with MnDOT, requesting that they take the 1H 169 Inter
Regional Corridor Plan to the next level. The next level would involve environmental
studies and geometric layouts for the eventual upgrade of 1H 169 through Elk River to a
freeway standard. MnDOT has taken our request a step further and talked to other
cities and townships along the 1H 169 corridor. It is anticipated that once funding
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Transportation Projects Update
January 31,2005
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becomes available, MnDOT will pursue a geometric and environmental study of 1H 169
from Elk River to Princeton. This would provide the framework for preserving and! or
acquiring right-of-way needed for the upgrading of the highway. It would also involve
an extensive series of public involvement meetings with the City to discuss the various
options before zeroing in on the chosen design alternative.
5. 1H 10 Alternative Analysis in the Downtown Area
The City is pursuing Federal funding through Congressman Kennedy's office for the
further alternative analysis of the Inter Regional Corridor Plan in the downtown area of
Elk River. As you may be aware, the Inter Regional Corridor Plan calls for an
expressway type of highway design elevated approximately 20 feet through the
downtown area. Although the City passed a resolution agreeing with the vision for the
1H 10 Inter Regional Corridor, they specifically stated that they felt the alternative of
raising the highway needed further study. With our neighbors east and west beginning to
look at and plan for the upgrading of 1H 10, the City of Elk River felt it was important
to attempt to proceed along this path also. Therefore, we are requesting Federal funding
through Congressman Kennedy's office to study alternatives in the downtown area.
6. aiAH 1 Reconstruction
Sherburne County has begun work on the reconstruction of aiAH 1 from County Road
32 to the north City limits. It is anticipated that the roadway will be reconstructed in a
similar fashion with two lanes of traffic, one in each direction with fairly wide shoulders.
It is anticipated that there will be minimal geometric and safety improvements made
along the way. The City has requested that Sherburne County look for opportunities to
place pedestrian facilities along the road in the County right-of-way. Given the terrain in
the northern third of the City along aiAH 1, it may be difficult if not impossible to get
pedestrian facilities along the entire corridor.
7. Line Avenue Cul-de-sac
The City Council in the fall of 2004 directed staff to prepare plans for the cul-de-sacing
of Line Avenue at Twin Lakes Road. It is anticipated that plan will be presented to the
City Council in March 2005 for approval and authorization to bid.
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POTENTIAL FUTURE
TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS
1. County Road 44 (Meadowvale Road) Reconstruction
As the Gty is completing the negotiation for the turnback of County Road 40 and the
reconstruction of that particular roadway, County Road 44 would be a likely candidate to
pursue the same course of action on in the future. County Road 44 runs north from 1H
10 at Upland Avenue along the Meadowvale Road alignment to Q;AH 1.
2. School Street Safety Study
In June of 2001, a safety study of measures that could be taken to mitigate potential
traffic concerns on School Street, particularly in the area of the Senior High School, was
undertaken. Although some of the recommendations have been implemented, the entire
safety study has not been implemented. This could be implemented easily in the future.
3. Widening of Zane Avenue Through Elk River Crossing
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There has been much discussion regarding the width of Zane Avenue through the Elk
River Crossing Commercial development which contains Wal- Mart, Home Depot, and
many smaller commercial entities. We are currently working with Wal-Mart Corporation
to acquire more right-of-way/ easement, should this widening of the roadway be
undertaken in the future. At this point, no direction has been given as to either widening
and/ or studying the widening of Zane Avenue through this commercial area.
4. Elk Hills Drive Corridor Study
The Transportation Plan identifies the future need for a roadway corridor from School
Street and 1H 169 easterly to Q;AH 13. This is a corridor study/public involvement
process that could be undertaken.
5. 193rd Avenue Corridor Study for Easterly Extension
Another corridor that is anticipated to be needed in the future according to the
Transportation Plan is the extension easterly of 193rd Avenue as it comes through the
Hillside Estates Addition over to Tyler Street and onto Q;AH 13. This is another
corridor study that could be undertaken at anytime.
6. Corridor Study for Q;AH 33 to County Road 31 at Anoka County Line
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We have heard for many years that there is potential for County Road 22 in Anoka
County to be turned back to MnDOT and converted to a highway in the future. If that
happens, it would bring a substantial amount of traffic to the Sherburne County/Elk
River eastern boundary. One of the corridors that the Transportation Plan anticipates
needing to accommodate this traffic is a corridor from County Road 31 at Sherburne
County/Elk River eastern boundary to Q;AH 33 and on to the interchange at 1H 169.
This of course is a Sherburne County road alignment, but the Gty could certainly take
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January 31, 2005
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the lead in pushing Sherburne County to study this corridor and identify the future right-
of- way needs that could be preserved and! or acquired.
7. Corridor Study for School Street Alignment West to Upland Avenue
Another of the corridors that the Transportation Plan identifies as being needed is from
School Street at Proctor Avenue westerly to Upland Avenue. This will provide a route
for vehicles wanting to go to the northwest, not having to come down to TH 10 and
have a short trip on TH 10 over to Upland. Also in the future as the Inter Regional
Corridor improvements are undertaken on TH 10, the movement that is currently made
to get to the northwestern part of the City may not be possible. This corridor would
primarily go through Cretex Companies property.
8. Tyler Street Corridor Study from CSAH 33 to County Road 21
This is another corridor that the Transportation Plan identifies as being needed. In the
future it would provide a north-south route between CSAH 33 and County Road 21,
again, to eliminate traffic jumping on TH 169 for short trip. If this corridor were to be
identified, it could be likely acquired as this area of the City will be opened up to
additional development in the future, according to the Comprehensive Plan.
9. Corridor Study for County Road 21/221st Avenue
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As you are aware, County Road 21 was re-routed down to CSAH 33 as an interim
measure when the interchange was constructed at CSAH 33 and TH 169. It has always
been anticipated that County Road 21 would ultimately find a route to TH 169 at the
intersection of 221st Avenue on the west side of TH 169. At that point, 221st Avenue,
which is a City street, could be turned back to the County and a corridor could be
identified at the west end (Proctor Avenue) of 221 st Avenue westerly to meet CSAH 33.
This is again primarily a Sherburne County issue, but as this portion of the City of Elk
River develops in the future, it would be good to identify this corridor and preserve the
right-of-way. The City could take the lead in identifying these corridors along with
County participation.
10. Corridor Study in Central Elk River to connect CSAH 1 with Tyler Street
This is another corridor that is identified in the Transportation Plan. This is in an area
of the City were there a limited number of east-west corridors. The Transportation Plan
identified a need for a corridor in the 197th Avenue area that would connect CSAH 1
with Tyler Street. This would also fit well with the Inter Regional Corridor Plan for TH
169, which anticipates a half-diamond at the 197m Avenue intersection with TH 169.
11. CSAH 1 (Proctor Avenue) Expansion Just North of TH 10
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Another project that the Transportation Plan identifies as being needed in the future is
the expansion of CSAH 1 (Proctor Avenue) just north of TH 10 to a four-lane divided
roadway with protected left turns. To expand to this type of street section would
certainly require some additional right-of-way acquisition, and would likely entail the
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taking of some homes. This is a project that Sherburne County and the City should have
a good grasp of the future plan because the area lying west of Proctor Avenue is likely to
be a candidate for redevelopment some time in the future.
12. CSAH 13 (Twin Lakes Road) Corridor Study
Another project that the Transportation Plan identifies is the expansion of CSAH 13 and
County Road 31 to handle the anticipated traffic increase from the development of this
portion of the City and the township to the east, together with the future thought that
County Road 22 in Anoka County would become a trunk highway. This again, is a
County road facility that the City may want to take the lead in pushing the County to
undertake a plan to have an idea of what will need to be constructed in the future so that
it can be adequately programmed into the County and City capital improvement
programs.
13. CSAH 12 Expansion in Eastern Elk River
As we all know, CSAH 12 was upgraded a few years ago. Approximately half of it was
constructed as a four-lane urban roadway and approximately the eastern half was
constructed as a two-lane rural roadway. Certainly in the future it will need to be
constructed entirely as a four-lane urban roadway. As this area of Elk River continues to
develop and we see additional development in the township to the east, there will be a
future push for this expansion. Again, this is a County road facility, but the City could
certainly work with the County to plan for future improvements so that adequate
budgeting and capital improvements programming can be undertaken.
14. Develop a Traffic Gllming Policy
There has been a significant number of instances where existing neighborhoods have
come forward and complained about the amount of traffic and! or the speed of traffic
through their neighborhood area. Many cities are undertaking traffic calming policies for
existing neighborhoods and newly developing areas. Although this seems like a relatively
minor undertaking, it would involve input from many different parties, including
emergency operations of police and fire, maintenance operations of public works, and
city engineering and planning issues, together with elected officials and citizens. It would
involve a significant amount of work and effort to come up with a policy that works well
for the City. If traffic calming is just undertaken on a "hit and miss" approach,
essentially all that happens is traffic problems in one are pushed to another. I would
anticipate if the City were to undertake this, it could be a 12 - 18 month process of
meetings and discussion to come up with a workable policy for the City Council's
consideration.
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