Agenda - Council - 03/25/2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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that the extension of Riverdale Drive will result in more traffic in their neighborhoods as adjacent properties developed. She also stated that many people are opposed to closing the Alpaca Street access to TH 10, though this was not specifically stated on the petition that was distributed for signatures, and was instead written on a post it note at the time the petition was submitted to staff. A copy of the petition is attached for reference. The handwritten note is shown at the bottom. MnDOT has informed staff that the city's refusal to ratify the removal of the Traprock Street median crossover and connection could result in denial of MnDOT's required approvals for our Riverdale Drive Extension/Reconstruction layout and plans. This would then jeopardize our ability to construct the project in 2014 utilizing $702,000 in awarded Cooperative Agreement funding, and would also impact our ability to deliver the segment of the Mississippi River Trail along this section of Riverdale Drive which was awarded federal grant funding for construction. In addition, construction of the TH 10 & Armstrong Boulevard interchange could be delayed if the Riverdale Drive project is not constructed in 2014. Observations/Alternatives: Observations: The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is proposing the phased access removals to address the following safety concerns. When the signal system at Armstrong Boulevard is removed due to construction of the Armstrong Boulevard interchange, gaps in traffic on eastbound TH 10 will be less pronounced and vehicles turning left from westbound TH 10 to Riverdale Drive at Traprock Street would have a harder time finding an acceptable gap. And since some of those vehicles will be towing boats to the public landing on the Mississippi River, they will have a harder time accelerating and judging acceptable gaps. For these reasons, MnDOT feels strongly that the westbound TH 10 median crossover needs to be removed when construction of the Armstrong Boulevard interchange is complete. When Riverdale Drive is connected to Ramsey Boulevard, forming a south frontage road to TH 10, MnDOT feels the connection between eastbound TH 10 and Riverdale Drive at Traprock Street needs to be removed in order to direct vehicles wishing to access eastbound TH 10 to safer, controlled accesses at either the Armstrong Boulevard interchange or the signalized at -grade intersection at Ramsey Boulevard. It is worthwhile noting that MnDOT's proposed TH 10 access closures at Alpaca Street and Traprock Street are directly aligned with the goals and concept plans being developed with the current TH 10 Access Planning Study. The goal of this study is to develop a plan for addressing safety and operational concerns along the TH 10 corridor through the City of Ramsey to the Rum River in the City of Anoka. The plan will identify lower -cost improvements that can be implemented incrementally in the near future, rather than waiting for funding to become available to convert this corridor of TH 10 to a full freeway which is not likely to happen any time soon considering the cost to do so and the lack of available funding. One such incremental improvement includes removing numerous private accesses along TH 10 and instead constructing frontage roads to provide access to adjacent properties while allowing reasonable access to TH 10 at nearby at -grade intersections and grade separated interchanges. Alternatives: Alternative Action #1 — Motion to adopt Resolution 14-03-063 ratifying the phased removals of the westbound median crossover and eastbound connection between TH 10 and Riverdale Drive at Traprock Street as requested by MnDOT. Alternative Action #2 — Motion to table adoption of Resolution 14-03-063 and directing staff to notify area businesses and residents of MnDOT's proposal to remove the westbound median crossover and eastbound connection between TH 10 and Riverdale Drive at Traprock Street in phases, as well as the City's intent to ratify MnDOT's proposal at the April th City Council meeting. Alternative Action #3 — Motion of other. Funding Source: No funding is required at this time as a result of this action. However, when the phased removal projects are required, staff will apply for Cooperative Agreement funding to help fund the removals. However, there may still be some cost to the City to remove the accesses. Recommendation: Staff recommends adopting Resolution 14-03-063 ratifying the phased removals of the westbound median crossover and eastbound connection between TH 10 and Riverdale Drive at Traprock Street as requested by MnDOT. Staff is of the opinion that the phased access removals as proposed will allow for reasonable access to/from TH 10 for area businesses and residents in the future, and that the new points of access will be safer. In addition, ratifying the phased removals will prevent MnDOT from potentially withholding approvals for the Riverdale Drive Extension/Reconstruction project, thereby allowing this project to be constructed in 2014 (with future Council approvals) utilizing the awarded Cooperative Agreement funds, while also allowing the Mississippi River Trail to be constructed with the Riverdale Drive project utilizing federal grant funding. Ratifying the phased removals would also ensure that construction of the TH 10 & Armstrong Boulevard interchange will not be delayed. Action: Motion to adopt or deny Resolution 14-03-063 ratifying the phased removals of the westbound median crossover and eastbound connection between TH 10 and Riverdale Drive at Traprock Street as requested by MnDOT. Tabling this item to the April 8th regular Council meeting is an option if Council wishes to direct staff to provide notification of MnDOT's phased access removal proposal to area businesses and residents, as well as the City's intent to ratify MnDOT's proposal at the April 8th City Council meeting. Res 14-03-063 Figure 1 Traprock St Access Alpaca Estates Riverdale Dr Petition Attachments Form Review Inbox Reviewed By Date Kurt Ulrich Kurt Ulrich 03/20/20 t 4 03:04 PM Form Started By: Bruce Westby Started On: 01/23/2014 11:29 AM