11.1 SR 02-03-2025
Request for Action
To Item Number
City Council 11.1
Meeting Date Prepared By
February 3, 2025 Ryan Sandhoefner, Engineering Project Manager
Item Description Reviewed by
Specht Farm Traffic Impact Study Review Justin Femrite
Cal Portner
Tina Allard
Action Requested
Discuss the traffic impact study surrounding the proposed development of Specht Farm.
Background/Discussion
As conversations regarding the development of the Specht Farm site increase, traffic impacts on the local
system and state highway are actively being studied. With the long-term vision of the corridor laid out in the
previously completed TH10 Corridor Study, the group is determining the best short and mid-term layout for
the system to effectively manage the traffic load added due to development. The development is expected to
include approximately 538 single-family homes, along with some commercial acreage. The main discussion
point is to determine the safest interim primary access configuration across from 165th Ave NW. It is
anticipated this access will be removed once the long-term goal of a full-access interchange is constructed to
the north.
The developer's traffic engineer will be in attendance to present the findings of their traffic impact study, as
well as a MnDOT representative to discuss their analysis.
Financial Impact
N/A
Mission/Policy/Goal
Responsibly grow
Attachments
1. MnDOT Letter
2. Specht Farm Traffic Impact Study
3. Specht Farm Traffic Study Overview
4. 3-4 J Turn Access Option Exhibit
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community
engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity
Metropolitan District
1500 County Road B-2 West
Roseville, MN 55113
January 29,2025
Justin Femrite
Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
City of Elk River
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
SUBJECT:Specht Farm Traffic Impact Study
MnDOT Review #STUDY25-001/S25-001
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SW side of US 10 from 167Ave. to South of 165Ave. NW
Elk River
SherburneCounty
Dear Justin Femrite
Thank you for submitting the Traffic Impact Study(TIS)forthe Specht Farm/Capstone Homes
development. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has reviewed the study, and has
the following comments:
Intersection Control:
MnDOT concurs with page 21 of the TIS which states that “The signalized access option is not
recommended due to high costs to construct additional Highway 10 through lanes for an interim
condition, increased crash potential, minor movement right angle crash potential and reduced corridor
mobility.” MnDOT has removed several signalized intersectionson Highway 10 due to serious crash
issues.
The TIS also states that “A ¾ J-Turn intersection is recommended for 2038 Build Conditions.”
Construction of unsignalized J-turn intersections in Minnesota have proven to reduce fatalities by 70%
and injury crashes by 42%by eliminating risky movements across several lanes of traffic (preventing
“T-bone”crashes). Additional information on J-Turns (Including truck movementsthrough J-turns) is
located at: J-turns -MnDOT . Further review through the layout review process (below) is needed to
determine design requirements including whether to allow left turns directly from Highway 10 to
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Specht’s Lane/165Ave.
Based on anticipated current and future trafficvolumesat the intersection MnDOT does not anticipate
that the J-turn intersection will need to be signalized by 2038.
MnDOT will likely require acceleration lanes for motorists turning right from Specht’s Lane to
southbound Highway 10. The existing acceleration lane on the northbound side would be a
complimentary design.
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Additionally, with the J-turn configuration, those motorist turning onto Highway 10 from 165Ave.
NW or Specht’s Lane that will be using the J-turns can turn directly into the turn lane without having to
weave through traffic.
Page 1of 3
Please contact Ashley Hansen, Traffic Safety, at 651-234-7815 or ashley.hansen@state.mn.us with any
questions.
Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) Letter:
The TIS states that “It is recommended that MnDOT complete a detailed Intersection Control Evaluation
(ICE) report for this intersection.” For the unsignalized J-turn, an ICE letter is needed, which is an
abbreviated ICE report. Since the intersection improvements are a result of private development, the
developer will need to write the report.
For questions concerning the ICE letter, please contact Ashley Hansen at 651-234-7815 or
ashley.hansen@state.mn.us.
Traffic Modeling Files:
Please provide the traffic modeling files for MnDOT to review. Please send to
brandi.kastner@state.mn.us
Noise
MnDOT's policy is to assist local governments in promoting compatibility between land use and
highways. Residential uses located adjacent to highways often result in complaints about traffic noise.
Traffic noise from this highway could exceed noise standards established by the Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency (MPCA), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S.
Department of Transportation. Minnesota Rule 7030.0030 states that municipalities having the authority
to regulate land use shall take all reasonable measures to prevent the establishment of land use activities,
listed in the MPCA's Noise Area Classification(NAC), anywhere that the establishment of the land use
would result in immediate violations of established State noise standards.
MnDOT policy regarding development adjacent to existing highways prohibits the expenditure of
highway funds for noise mitigation measures in such developed areas. The project proposer is required
to assess the existing noise situation and take the action deemed necessary to minimize the impact to the
proposed development from any highway noise.
If you have any questions regarding MnDOT's noise policy please contact Natalie Ries in Metro
District’sNoise and Air QualityUnitat 651-234-7681 or natalie.ries@state.mn.us.
Design Layout guidelines:
Any intersection development of this magnitude with need to be reviewed through the Level 1 Layout
review process. The MnDOT Metro Area Engineer, Mike Kronzer, will be able to guide you through the
layout review process.
The following website provides layout design guidance and identify layout
requirements: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/design/geometric/index.html
The first link under Guidance is helpful, as well as the Design Resources tab.
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Review Submittal Options
MnDOT’s goal is to complete reviews within 30 calendar days. Review materials received electronically
can be processed more rapidly. Do not submit files via a cloud service or SharePoint link. In order of
preference, review materials may be submitted as:
1. Email documents and plans in PDF format to metrodevreviews.dot@state.mn.us. Attachments
may not exceed 20 megabytes per email. Documents can be zipped as well. If multiple emails are
necessary, number each message.
2. For files over 20 megabytes, upload the PDF file(s) to MnDOT’s Web Transfer Client site:
https://mft.dot.state.mn.us. Contact MnDOT Planning development review staff using the same
email abovefor uploading instructions andsend an email listing the file name(s) after the
document(s) has/have been uploaded.
You are welcome to contact me at tod.sherman@state.mn.us with any questions.
Sincerely,
Tod Sherman
Metro Planning Director
Copy sent via email:
Matt Barker, Director-Land Development, Brandi Kastner, Traffic Safety
Capstone Homes Katie Schmidt, CEO/Traffic Engineer, SSTS
Zach Carlton, Elk River Community LLC
Development Director Buck Craig, Permits
Luke Wehseler, Project Development, D3 Mike Kruse, Design
Mike Kowski, MaintenanceJim Henricksen, Modeling
Jason Swenson, Water Resources Suzy Scotty, Ped/BikePlanning
Forest Paulson, Right of Way Amrish Patel, Transit
Ashley Hansen, Traffic SafetyScott Shaffer, Planning
Natalie Ries, Noise Cameron Muhic, Planning
Mike Kronzer, Area Engineer/Coordinator Joe Widing, Metropolitan Council
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¾ J Turn Access Option – 187 Ln and Hwy 65