Agenda - Council - 01/23/2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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-236- Council Action: Motion to ratify recommendations of the Committee. Case #3: Update on Trunk Highway #47/CommuniW Roadside Partnership Program for landscape Plantings Staff reported on three issues associated with Trunk Highway #47 projects: schedule for the construction of the sound wall; the intersection of 142nd Avenue N.W./Trunk Highway #47; and the completion of landscaping. Staff reported that the subcontractor who will be constructing the sound wall reported that all the necessary materials have not been delivered. The contractor indicated that he will begin construction on the wall as soon as the materials are available. Staff restated the Council's position that its first preference with regard to the intersection of Trunk Highway #47 and 142nd Avenue N.W. is that it be signalized. Conduits have been placed beneath the roadway to allow for easier installation of the signals, however the agreement with MnDot was that the intersection would be signalized only if it met signalization warrants after the signalization at Xkimo Street N.W. was functional. Staff suggested that a warrant study for the intersection be conducted at this time since the signals are functional. The Committee pointed out a large disparity between SRF, h~c. and MnDot traffic volumes at this intersection in the past. It was suggested that perhaps the time of year may have been responsible for the disparity. The Cornmittee suggested that a study during a warmer period might be more favorable to meeting signalization warrants. The Committee directed that some preliminary traffic counts be made to determine the timing for a full signalization study. Finally the landscaping association with the Trunk Highway #47 project was discussed. The number of trees to be planted along Trunk Highway #47 and Sunwood Drive has increased from 188 in the original project to 247 after the sound wall installation along Trunk Highway #47 and sidewalk'modifications on Sunwood Drive. All tree plantings will be done in spring. An opportunity has become available to provide additional plantings on the high~vay side of the sound wall, the wide highway medians, and at several locations along Trunk Highway #47 through a MnDot sponsored program, Community Partnership Program for Landscape Plantings. Under this program MnDot provides plant materials while the City would be responsible for planting and .maintaining the landscaping. Staff reported that a preliminary indication frorn MnDot was that median plantings would not be approved because of the plant survivability issue. However, the Committee directed staff to pursue reevaluation of median planting in light of the Amdover experience along Bunker Lake G:\users\City Shared File\Public Works Department\Committees\Public Works Con'm~itteekCasesk2001\Council Update\cc 01.23.0[.doc I I ! ! I I I I I I I I I I I: