5.5. SR 05-10-1999
Ifem 5.5.
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Howard R, Green Company
CONSULTING ENGINEERS
May 6,1999
File: 801760j-0071
Mr. Pat Klaers
City Administrator
City of Elk River
13065 Orono Parkway
P.O. Box 490
Elk River, MN 55330-0490
RE: TH 10/171sT AVENUE SIGNAL IMPROVEMENT
STATUS UPDATE
Dear Mr. Klaers:
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This letter is intended to give you a brief update on the status of the signal improvement at the
intersection of TH 10 and 171st Avenue. The Contractor has poured the pedestals for the signal
poles and mast arms, and has run all of the necessary underground wire. The Contractor has
removed the pavement on 171st Avenue for the proposed median, and also done the dirt work at
the southeast corner of the intersection adjacent to Houle Oil for the increased radius.
As you are aware, during the preparation of plans and specifications, Bob Strong of LeFebvre
and Sons, Inc., was concerned about their trucks' abilities to make a right-hand turn off of TH 10
onto 171st Avenue. Yesterday we performed a test run with a truck and driver from the LeFebvre
and Sons company. They provided a 48-foot long flatbed trailer and tractor. In attendance at the
test run were three representatives of LaFebvre and Sons, two from Morrell Transfer, Inc.,
Charlie Houle from Houle Oil, Tim from the auto repair business, and Tim Snyder from Snyder
Auto Sales. The truck turned the corner approximately three times. It was able to make the
corner but it was relatively tight. After observing the truck three times, we discussed several
changes that could be made to the design to facilitate these movements more easily. A
summary of these changes is as follows:
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1. An additional piece of concrete curbing will be taken out of the Houle Oil driveway to flatten
the radius on the southeast corner. In addition, contact will be made with UPA to determine
if the power pole located in this corner could be moved back several feet.
2. The median will have a dipped nose as is the standard design for snowplow purposes. We
agreed to dip approximately 30-40 feet of the south side of the median and thicken the
concrete to support heavy vehicles. This will allow the longer semi- trucks and trailers to run
the tractor up onto the median as they are making their turn to assure that the trailer is a
safe distance away from the signal light and/or power pole.
3. We have agreed to remove any signing that would have normally been installed to
designate the end of the median for snowplowing purposes. This will remove one more
obstacle from turning truck traffic.
0:\PROJ\801760j\0071 \760-0509.may99 .doc
1326 Energy Park Drive. 81. Paul, MN 55108 . 651/644-4389 fax 651/644-9446 toll free 888/368-4389
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Mr. Pat Klaers
May 6,1999
Page Two
4. We have agreed with Tim Snyder and his tenant that we will dip the median to provide
driveway access to their second driveway. The opening will be approximately 24 feet wide.
5. We have agreed to shorten the median on the east end by approximately five feet. This will
just add more comfort to large vehicles making left turns out of Houle Oil or into the Snyder
Auto lot from their rear driveways.
We believe that these are reasonable compromises to facilitate truck movements while still
maintaining the integrity of the signalized intersection, which should provide safer movements
for all vehicles.
If you have any questions concerning this project, I will be in attendance at your May 10, 1999,
City Council meeting.
Sincerely,
Howard R. Green Company
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Terry /~ur~r~~.E.
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0:\PROJ\801760j\0071\760-o509.~ard R. Green Company
CONSULTING ENGINEERS