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<br />he is unsure if the hard channelization will fix the problem or not. He stated that depending on <br />the decision made tonight, if this project moves forward, he would like something included in the <br />agreement with the County that if this median is found to create more accidents from V-turns on <br />Highway 10 or the railroad tracks, that the median could be removed. He stated that he feels the <br />City should monitor the situation and see if this reconstruction causes 84 accidents elsewhere. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen asked if there was a way to do some modeling to predict where other <br />pressure points will be created if this intersection is changed as planned. She stated that she also <br />wants to make sure that this does not just shift accidents to other locations. She stated that she <br />would like to know if the intersections where V-turns are allowed, will be designed for this type <br />of activity. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson stated that he feels a lesson was learned at the Highway 47 and <br />Bunker Lake Boulevard intersection and feels fairly certain that the design will include <br />components to help for safer V-turns. He stated that modeling could be done, but the <br />information presented earlier tonight stated that V-turns are 27% safer than a left turn. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated that he has anguished over this decision and noted that 84 <br />accidents at this intersection is significant. He stated that he had represented a family of a <br />woman who was killed in Hennepin County several years ago at an intersection that had the <br />worst designation in the area. He stated that they obtained a substantial amount of money for the <br />family and Hennepin County corrected the intersection after this. He stated that he has always <br />wondered whether the woman's life would have been saved if Hennepin County had acted on the <br />designation as the worst intersection in the area. He stated that if the City doesn't make <br />improvements to this intersection, there is a potential for a lawsuit because it violates the Joint <br />Powers Agreement with the County. He stated that he understands that the Ramsey Town Center <br />was a driving force for the situation and sees improving the infrastructure asa possible way to <br />jump start interest in the Ramsey Town Center. He stated that during his campaign, he heard a <br />lot of people say that they wanted transportation issues addressed and he feels this plan would <br />work towards that. He stated that he does have a heavy heart for the potential impact to <br />businesses in the area, but is swayed by a safer design that could potentially save some lives. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated that he would like the City to consider a compromise with a design <br />of one lane coming to the train tracks like the current situation and then, once the entrance is <br />passed, the design could branch out into additional lanes. He stated that in a few years, the City <br />can acquire the property so there would be no hardship to the businesses. He reiterated that he <br />does not think the median is the answer to decreasing the number of accidents at this site. <br /> <br />Frank Yamoutpour, 6401 Highway 10, asked how many people had been killed at the railroad <br />tracks. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson stated that he did not have this information. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated that he did not think there were any accidents at the railroad crossing. <br /> <br />City Council / November 13,2007 <br />Page 12 of 19 <br />