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�. <br />Public Services Division <br />HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT <br />1440 BUNKER LAKE BLVD. NW, ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 <br />(763) 862-4200 FAX (763) 862-4201 <br />January 31, 2012 <br />Patti Loken <br />MnDOT State Aid for Local Transportation <br />395 John Ireland Boulevard <br />St. Paul, MN 55155 <br />Re: Sunwood Drive Realignment <br />Local Road Improvement Program; Routes of Regional Significance <br />Dear Ms. Loken: <br />Anoka County has been working with the City of Ramsey, MnDOT, and the FHWA for <br />several years in an effort to resolve safety and capacity concerns along the TH 10 <br />corridor through Anoka County. This letter is to confirm Anoka County's interest and <br />support for the realignment of Sunwood Drive in the City of Ramsey. This project is <br />being viewed as the first phase of implementing the construction of a grade separated <br />interchange at the existing signalized intersection of TH 10 and CSAH 83 (Armstrong <br />Boulevard). The environmental analysis for this crucial interchange project is nearing <br />completion, and throughout the process to secure state approval we have worked <br />cooperatively with all stakeholders in an effort to reduce costs and "right size" the <br />project. <br />In addition to providing benefit to the trunk highway system, now and in the future, this <br />local roadway improvement would provide immediate benefit to the County and City <br />roadway systems. The current Sunwood Drive/CSAH 83 and TH 10/CSAH 83 <br />intersections have limited visibility and capacity due to the existing geometrics, spacing, <br />and proximity to the Burlington Northern Sante Fe (BNSF) railroad. This proposed <br />project incorporates appropriate access spacing, improved geometrics, and a signalized <br />intersection at the relocated Sunwood Drive/CSAH 83 intersection. <br />In addition to the immediate safety and capacity benefits, this new signalized <br />intersection would contribute to regional economic development initiatives in and around <br />the COR, the City of Ramsey's 400 acre transit oriented development. This roadway <br />realignment would reconstruct the main access point into the COR, and create <br />additional prime development sites at the "front door" to the development. The COR <br />