Agenda - Council - 09/23/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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projects in Elk River and Ramsey1 targeted to be completed between 2010 and 2018. Ramsey adopted a resolution endorsing the vision and the TH 10 CMP in January 2002. Specifically, the TH IO CMP recommended: Upgrading the current 4-lane expressway to a six-lane freeway through the City of Ramsey [see Figures 5.3-5B and 5.3-5C in the TH 10 CMP which shows the Project Concept Layouts with Local Comments for the segment of TH 169 to Sunfish Lake Blvd.]. Reducing and/or consolidating a number of access points, or intersections along the corridor; and Converting at-grade intersections to interchanges within Ramsey, including one at Sunfish Lake Boulevard, Ramsey Boulevard and Armstrong Boulevard (Ramsey has also expressed interest in maintaining local access at Alpine Drive). Given the constraints within the study area, the proposed freeway alignment would generally follow the existing TH 10 alignment. This conclusion can be determined as a result of the following factors: the BNSF Railroad line limits opporttmities to move the TH 10 freeway alignment to the north of the railroad; and environmental constraints to the south, including The Mississippi River National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) and residential development constrain moving the freeway alignment to the south. While this limits the number of expansion and realignment alternatives to that of the existing TH10 alignment, access management and safety becomes an issue. Improvements to the current roadway require the elimination of a significant number of existing access points to private businesses and residential properties within the study area. Future access would be limited to interchange locations which would require significant acquisition of right of way to meet design and construction standards, and would preclude any future access to properties within the study area. Ramsey Town Center-Ramsey has worked since 1998 developing the Ramsey Town Center project- a mixed-use development comprised of medium and high density residential, commercial, office, light industrial and public uses. The nearly 320-acre project site is located between Highways 116 and TH 10 to the north and south, and Ramsey and Armstrong Boulevards to the east and west (see Exhibit 2: Ramse!j Town Center Map). The Ramsey Town Center proposal has been documented in a separate AUAR (the Rarnse~j Town Center AUAR). Northstar Commuter Rail--The proposed Northstar commuter rail line is being coordinated with Ramsey Town Center. The Northstar corridor would run along the existing Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF)freight line located on the north side of TH 10. Long-term plans for this corridor include a station in Ramsey that would be located within the Ramsey Town Center. A precursor to the rail project-the Northstar Commuter Coach Service-which has operated by Mn/DOT since October 1, 2001, originates from the Elk River Northstar 1 TH 169 in Elk River to Sunfish Lake Blvd. In Rarnsey RAMSEY TH 10 CORRIDOR AUAR 4