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WSB <br />As.swiuecs. lira. <br />engineering 'planning • environmental • construction <br />October 16, 2012 <br />Mr. Shane Nelson <br />Ramsey Interim City Engineer <br />City of Ramsey <br />7550 Sunwood Drive NW <br />Ramsey, MN 55303 <br />701 Xenia Avenue South <br />Suite 300 <br />Minneapolis, MN 55416 <br />Tel: 763-541-4800 <br />Fax: 763-541-1700 <br />RE: Evaluation of Potential Access and Capacity Improvements in the vicinity of the TH 47 and CSAH 116 <br />Dear Mr. Nelson: <br />This letter presents WSB & Associates' proposal to provide engineering services for the evaluation of <br />access and capacity improvements in the vicinity of the TH 47 and CSAH 116 intersection. The proposed <br />study area would include TH 47 from just north of Coolidge Street NW to County Road 5 and TH 47 and <br />CSAH 116 from east of Tower Pond Drive to the Rum River with the primary focus on the CSAH 116 and <br />TH 47 intersection and the access points to the businesses in each of the quadrants of the intersection. <br />Project Background <br />The cities of Anoka and Ramsey have identified two major concerns with the current design of the <br />intersection of TH 47 and CSAH 116. First, the access to businesses located in the different quadrants of <br />the intersection, especially the southwest quadrant of CSAH 116 and TH 47, is a problem for the <br />businesses in this area. When the intersection was reconstructed several years ago medians were <br />constructed that restricted access to existing development in the area. Local businesses feel that it has <br />hurt their business. <br />Second, the intersection of TH 47 and CSAH 116 experiences congestion and back-ups in both the am <br />and pm peak hours. The congestion in the area is a combination of through traffic and traffic destined to <br />the school and local businesses. This intersection was studied in MnDOT's Congestion Management <br />Safety Plan and potential improvements were identified that would improve traffic flow and safety. <br />Although no specific funding has been identified the project may be a candidate for Cooperative <br />Agreement Funding or Highway Safety Improvement Funds. <br />CSAH 116 is under Anoka County's jurisdiction and TH 47 is under MnDOT's jurisdiction. Previous work <br />has been completed in the area including some preliminary drawings developed by RLK, which were <br />reviewed by MnDOT. MnDOT previously indicated that a northbound left turn from TH 47 into the <br />southwest quadrant of the intersection may be acceptable as long as the left -out was prohibited. The <br />RLK work also showed concepts for a left -in off of CSAH 116 west of TH 47. In addition, the MnDOT <br />Congestion Management Safety Plan developed a concept for an additional northbound through lane on <br />TH 47 from just south of the CSAH 116 to County Road 5. <br />St. Cloud • Minneapolis • St. Paul <br />Equal Opportunity Employer <br />wsbeng.com <br />