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

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Bicycle and Pedestrian Pathway Group (Qualifying Activities 1, 2, and 8) 1. Urgency/Significance (200 points). Discuss how the project proposes or addresses each of the following: ■ Takes advantage of a time -sensitive opportunity, e.g., a willing landowner, cost savings, affiliation with another project, competing development opportunities. RESPONSE: The Nationally and Regionally significant Mississippi River Trail provides a valuable opportunity to build upon recent and planned investments relating to other segments of the Mississippi River Trail, Mississippi West Regional Park, future U.S. Highway 10/169 interchanges, transit -related enhancements, and ongoing development of The COR mixed - use, pedestrian oriented district. The Mississippi River Extension will be a 10 foot bituminous trail extending nearly three miles from the terminus of the 2013 Transportation Enhancement funded Mississippi River Trail. That 2013 funded project will construct a two mile segment from the City of Anoka, to within the Regional Park where this proposed TE project will begin. In 2009, the City of Ramsey partnered with Anoka County to complete the Mississippi Outfall Project, a storm water outlet project from The COR mixed -use district area to the river to accommodate development in The COR. In conjunction with this storm water project, a 10-foot wide bituminous trail was completed between U.S. Highway 10/169 and the river through the park. This completed trail will connect to the future pedestrian bridge over U.S. Highway 10/169 at its north end and provide convenient access to the future Northstar Commuter Rail transit station (funded for 2012 construction), Ramsey Municipal Center, Ramsey Municipal Parking Ramp, and The COR mixed -use district. At its south end, the completed trail will terminate at a river overlook and shore fishing destination. In 2011, under a joint powers agreement between the City of Ramsey and Anoka County, the Phase I improvements of the Mississippi West Regional Park Master Plan have begun which includes construction of an entrance road, boat launch, parking lot, fishing pier, and signage. As mentioned above, the segment of the Mississippi River Trail directly east of this proposed trail project, located entirely within Mississippi West Regional Park, has been funded and construction will be completed by 2013. This facility, together Ramsey's parking ramp also have bike lockers. In 2010, the final design and environmental approval for the Northstar Commuter Rail station at Ramsey was completed and approved. In April 2011, the Anoka County Regional Rail Authority identified moving the Ramsey Station project forward toward construction as one of its top two priorities. This momentum, in part, resulted in the project now being fully funded for 2012 construction as part of the 2012 Bonding Bill that was approved in July 2011. MnDOT and Anoka County are studying the potential for a future pedestrian bridge over U.S. Highway 10/169, as well as separated grade interchanges at Armstrong Boulevard/CSAH 83 and Ramsey Boulevard/CSAH 56. It is critical that the Mississippi River Trail be coordinated and constructed with these other major transportation improvements. • Addresses a significant opportunity, un-met need or problem as relates to the development of an integrated bicycle or pedestrian transportation network; or providing a safe/enjoyable bicycle or pedestrian route. RESPONSE: 17