Agenda - Council - 02/22/2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Administrator Norman stated that Council had directed staffto investigate the possibility of constructing a pedestrian crossing at the intersection of 143rd Avenue. Council also directed staff to determine the availability of financial assistance from MnDOT for such a project. The design consultant has informed staff that in order to request the pedestrian crossing, project development reports would need to be revised because this would be a major project change, and it is estimated that this would set the project back six to eight months. Because of the delay, the project would lose the additional federal funding which has been made available to the City. Jim ?, SRF, reviewed a possible pedestrian crossing at the142~d intersection, explaining that in order to construct the crossing there would need to be 300 feet of ramp to get to the top of the bridge since the terrain in the area is off. His recommendation was to not construct a pedestrian crossing in this location and noted that the cost to complete the project would range from $600,000 - $650,000. City Engineer Jankowski inquired if the crossing would require additional right-of-way. Jim ? replied that the crossing could be constructed within the existing fight-of-way. He also noted that if the City were to construct the crossing along with the T.H.//47 improvements the project would be delayed. Councilmember Connolly inquired if SRF would have any other recommendations. Jim ?, replied that the issue is how to move pedestrians across the roadway. Signalization would help the situation or widening the median approximately ten feet would make a pedestrian feel more comfortable with crossing the roadway. Councilmember Connolly inquired if there would be enough space to widen the median. Jim ? replied yes. Councilmember Hendriksen inquired if widening the median would delay the project. Mr. Iler replied yes. He suggested it would be more appropriate to construct a pedestrian crossing connecting to a trail rather than an intersection. Consensus of the Council was to not proceed with the pedestrian crossing. 3) County Finance Commitment City Administrator Norman stated that Anoka County had decreased their commitment from $250,000 to $50,000 at the time the Federal financial commitment increased. City Councilmembers expressed concern of the decrease to County Commissioner Dennis Berg and County Engineer Jon Olson, and the matter was reconsidered. Staff has now received formal notification from the County that the County cost participation will total the amount of $250,000 City Council/February 8, 2000 Page 13 of 15 I I I I I I I I I I I I I' i I I I I I