Agenda - Public Works Committee - 01/18/2011

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Public Works Committee Item #: 5. 9. Date: 01/18/2011 Notification: Information Title: Consider Request for the Installation of a 4 -Way Stop at the Intersection of Armstrong Boulevard and Alpine Drive. Background: The attached survey was posted on a local resident's blog site in November of 2010. The issue presented in this informal survey was whether a 4 -way stop should be installed at the intersection of Armstrong Boulevard and Alpine Drive. Of the 20 respondents, 10 voted that it was a good idea, 4 voted it was a bad idea, and 6 voted it was a good idea if a bike path was added along Alpine Drive to the west. With the Alpine Drive overlay project that was initiated in 2010 a trail is planned to be constructed along the north side of Alpine Drive, from Armstrong Boulevard to the entrance of The Links golf course; which work is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2011. The concern expressed is that this is already a dangerous intersection and by adding more pedestrians, via the trail connection, it would only exacerbate the problem. During the poll candidates for the District 1 County Board seat were solicited to provide their thoughts on the matter. Former Council member, and new County Commissioner, Matt Look mentioned another possible 4 -way stop location — the intersection of Armstrong Boulevard and 161st Avenue NW near Central Park. Observations: Staff compiled accident history data at each intersection using the MnDOT crash mapping database and Ramsey Police Department records; the information is attached for your review and summarized as follows: Armstrong /Alpine There have been 31 reported accidents since June of 2000, of which 17 were for property damage only. There have been 5 reported accidents at this location in the last year, with 4 being property damage only. Armstrong /161st There have been 11 reported accidents since January of 2000, of which 6 were for property damage only. There have been no reported accidents at this location for over 2 years. Staff is looking for direction on whether to formally request that Anoka County study these intersections for potential safety improvements. Based upon the above data it is unlikely that the Armstrong /161st intersection would meet warrants for a 4 -way stop condition, so staff could limit their request to the Armstrong /Alpine intersection alone or seek evaluation of both. The County will need to review crash history data, traffic volumes, geometrics, and other factors to determine whether such crashes are correctable by the implementation of safety improvements. At the time this case was being prepared staff was awaiting a response from Anoka County on what their evaluation would encompass and the approximate timing to complete such an analysis; it is assumed that this information will be available at the PW meeting.