Agenda - Public Works Committee - 01/19/1999

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Steve Jankowski, P.E. -2- January7,1999 However, Mn/DOT acknowledged that warrants could yet be met at 142nd Avenue even after the roadway and signals are installed at CSAH 5 and Xkimo. However, they would like to be able to wait and actually make traffic counts at that time that would document signal warrants being met. The warrants that they have stated that they would accept are warrants 1, 2 and 8 of the Manual on Uniform traffic Control Devices. This intersection is obviously in a gray area with regard to requiring traffic signal control based on the most recent traffic counts. However, the project is not scheduled for bidding until October of 1999, with completion in late year 2000. As a result, there will be opportunities to review the traffic volumes at later dates. During the time between now and the completion of the project, additional development-generated traffic or additional traffic growth may occur to the point that warrants are satisfied. The funding of the proposed signal at 142ndAvenue and the cost of its design will be 100 percent the responsibility of the City of Ramsey. Since there will be no direct Mn/DOT cost participation in the 142nd Avenue signal, they do not oppose the installation of the conduit system during the roadway construction project, nor do they oppose the preparation of signal construction plans at this time. The following course of action was outlined as a result of this discussion: o The conduit system for a "future" signal at 142nd Avenue will be designed, bid and constructed with the roadway improvement project. Interconnect cable from CSAH 116 to CSAH 5 will be run through these conduits as well. The remainder of the signal system; poles, wiring, etc. will be designed and included in the plans as a separate pay item with contract stipulations of the possible deletion of that pay item at a later date, however a bid price will be taken. The installation of the completed signal system will be controlled in the contract time provisions by the use of a delayed start date for that work. The start date will be tentatively set for one month after the intersection of CSAH 5/Xkimo has been under full signal control and a traffic count can be made to determine signal warrant status at 142nd Avenue. The plans are to be completed in April of 1999, with the bid letting in October 1999. A new traffic count and warrant evaluation will be made in September of 1999. If the signal is clearly justified at that time, then the full signal system will be authorized for construction with the remainder of the project. If the signal is not justified in September of 1999, the project will be bid and constructed initially with only the conduit system. After the completion of the CSAH 5/Xkimo signal system in the summer of 2000, another signal warrant analysis will be performed.