4.2. SR 08-13-2001 Howard R, Green Gompany
August 8, 2001
File: 814130J-0060
Item
#4.2.
The Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of Elk River
13065 Oreno Parkway
P.O. Box 490
Elk River, Minnesota 55330-0490
RE: 221 ST AVENUE
POTENTIAL COUNTY TURNBACK
Dear Council Members:
As directed, I met with Mr. Dave Schwarting, Sherbume County Engineer, to discuss the
potential of turning back 221 st Avenue between CSAH 1 and Trunk Highway 169 (TH 169) to the
County in exchange for County Road 40 from CSAH 13 to CSAH 12 being turned back to the
City. As you are aware, County Road 40 is currently a gravel read with limited traffic volume.
Sherbume County does have a TEA21 grant appreved in FY2003 for the upgrading of County
Road 40. Conversely, 221st Avenue is a bituminous surface on the east one-third of the read.
The City will be considering paving the west third of the read, leaving appreximately a third of
the read in the middle in a gravel state.
Mr. Schwarting indicated the County does have interest in pursuing dialogue on this potential
tumback of readways. Mr. Schwarting indicated he could envision a realignment of County
Road 21 on the east side of TH 169 to meet at the intersection of TH 169 and 221st Avenue.
This would be appreximately two miles north of the proposed interchange at TH 169 and County
Road 33. At some point in the future, there is potential for a new four-legged intersection at TH
169 and 221st Avenue which could become the next interchange to the north on TH 169.
There would be several items to work out relative to any tumback of these readways. The
readways appear to be appreximately the same length with 221st Avenue being slightly longer.
The condition of the readways at tumback would need to be discussed and accommodations
made relative to making both the City and the County whole with regard to improvements
needing to be made on the two roadways. Mr. Schwarting suggested that this be a topic for the
next joint City Council/County Board meeting. If the City Council desires, before this item
appears at a joint meeting, Mr. Schwarting and I could prepare information relative to the
condition of the two roadways and the costs of upgrading them.
I will be in attendance at your August 13 Council meeting should you have any questions or
desire more information.
Sincerely,
Howard R. Green Company
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