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

Home

presently has 27,000 visitors annually). This trail will also provide a critical connection for bicyclists and pedestrians to the future pedestrian bridge over U.S. Highway 10/169, Northstar Commuter Rail transit station (2012), Ramsey Municipal Center, Ramsey Municipal Parking Ramp, The COR mixed -use district (Ramsey's emerging downtown), PACT Charter School, the U.S. Highway 10/169 commercial district, the City's largest employment district (east of Ramsey Boulevard/CSAH 56). • Addresses safety concerns. The applicant should describe how the project addresses an identified safety problem. RESPONSE: There are currently no bicycle/pedestrian facilities on either side of U.S. Highwayl0/169 in this segment of the Mississippi River Regional Trail corridor. Due to the highway's high traffic volumes and lack of pedestrian/bike facilities, biking and walking through this major transporation corridor is unsafe and unpleasant. Bicycle or pedestrian travel on U.S. Highway 10/169 would be completely unsafe. In 2009, this highway's traffic count was 37,500 average annual daily trips (AADT) east of Armstrong Boulevard/CSAH 83 and 34,000 AADT west of Armstrong Boulevard. The City's 2030 Comprehensive Plan projects 2030 traffic levels increasing substantially to almost 48,000 AADT east of Armstrong Boulevard and 45,000 AADT west of Armstrong Boulevard. This proposed trail project will eliminate this trail gap and provide a safe bicycle/pedestrian route through this highway corridor as well as to surrounding community and recreational destinations. • For Applications for Qualifying Activity #8 only: Who owns the railway corridor property and will there be an agreement to ensure the preservation and protection of the corridor? RESPONSE: Not applicable. B. Bike/Ped Programs (QA #2): • Significantly improves safety/behavior of bicyclists and pedestrians. RESPONSE: Not applicable. • Increases market share/use of bicycling and walking RESPONSE: Not applicable. • Fills gaps in existing programs. Describe the target audience in this program and how they would benefit from these activities or programs. RESPONSE: Not applicable. • Provides more than a local benefit. An example of such a program is a bicycle/pedestrian safety program conducted in several school districts. RESPONSE: Not applicable. 3. Relationship between Categories (100 points). Projects will score higher if they provide multiple benefits toward the purpose of the Transportation Enhancements program. Applicants should review the respective category criteria to determine the extent to which the project relates to the other two categories: • What is the relationship to the Scenic and Environmental group? For example, how does the bike/ped project provide a natural resource enhancement? RESPONSE: The three-mile Mississippi River Extension is within and adjacent to the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a 72 mile Mississippi River corridor from 20