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Minnesota Department of Transportation <br /> <br />Metropolitan Division <br />Waters Edge <br />1500 West County Road B2 <br />Roseville, MN 55113 <br />September 29, 2003 <br /> <br />Office: 651/582-1499 <br /> Fax: 651/634-2162 <br /> <br />Steven J. Jankowski, P.E. <br />City of Ramsey <br />~ 5~.53 Nowthen Boulevard NW <br />Ramsey, MN 55303 <br /> <br />SUBJECT: <br /> <br />City request for review of access modification options on TH 47 <br />bet-ween Anoka County Road (C.R.) 116 and 142~d Avenue <br /> <br />Dear Mr. Jankowski: <br /> <br />In earl}, June, Mn/DOT received a letter from you requesting an evaluation of access <br />modification options on TH 47 between C.R. 116 and 142"d Avenue in the City of <br />l(amsey. Yaggy Colby had been retained by the owners of the River Bend Plaza to <br />determine these options. One of the options opened up the median on TH 47 about <br />6(10 feet north of C.R. 116 and added a southbound left-turn lane, which would have <br />changed an existing right-m/right-out access condition. Mn/DOT can't support this <br />option and will not allow the median to be opened at this location. <br /> <br />Mn/DOT has developed Access Management Guidelines that give guidance to the <br />tTpe and spacing of access along various t3~pes of roads. There is a significant amount <br />of research that indicates that too much access along a road leads to greater accident <br />rates. This section of TH 47 fails under a category that would allow full movement <br />intersections located at a minimum 6f 1/4 mile apart and conditional secondary <br />intersections located at a minimum of 660 feet apart. The current access condition <br />that exists along TH 47 meets th/s guideline. 'Opening the'median would lead to <br />additional conflicts due to the left turns, so Mn/DOT Won't allow the opening. <br /> <br />Another option recommended by Yagg7 Colby closed the median that allowed access <br />dkrectJy to the River Bend Plaza from eastbound C.R. 116. This falls trader Anoka <br />County jurisdiction, but Mn/DOT staff feel that this option will almost certainly <br />reduce accidents at this location. <br /> <br />It is my understanding that the City of Ramsey had previously requested that <br />Mn/DOT stud}, the feasibility of a signal at the intersection of TH 47 and 142~ <br />Avenue. It had apparently not met the warrants necessary for signal installat/on. If <br />the city determines that traffic patterns are modified by any implemented access <br />changes, the city may request a signal warrant study by contacting Cassandra Isackson <br />at 651-634-2145. <br /> <br />An equal opportunity employer <br /> <br /> <br />