Agenda - Economic Development Authority - 10/09/2014

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PROBLEM STATEMENT PROBLEM STATEMENT Key findings from the existing and forecasted conditions analysis were supplemented with public and stake- holder input to develop a thorough definition of the problem. This information was formed into the following Problem Statement to clearly define the primary issues the study aimed to address. Highway 10 is a principal arterial roadway providing a significant transportation connection from Minne- apolis - St. Paul to the northwest suburbs and beyond. The 4-lane roadway (Anoka/Sherburne County line to the Rum River) carries average daily traffic volumes ranging from 33,500 to 61,000 vehicles per day. Highway 10 has been studied numerous times over the past decade, each time furthering the planning for conversion to a full freeway. Based upon traffic volumes and safety concerns, a freeway is the proper vision for this corridor. The corridor is commonly congested and has much higher than aver- age crash and severity rates than comparable corridors. In addition, the corridor has five signalized intersections and numerous other access points (14.5 per mile) contributing to the degradation of the facility. Over the past 10 years, 13 people have died in crashes on the 7-mile corridor. Four of these fatalities were pedestrians, including three in the past 18 months. Considering current overall state and federal funding levels, it will be difficult to achieve the vision of a freeway facility on this portion of Highway 10 within the next 20 years. To reduce crashes and improve mobility issues, it is reasonable and responsible to implement lower cost, interim measures that incrementally improve safety and operations for all users of the Highway 10 corridor. The intent of this study is to identify high -benefit improvements that are fiscally responsible so that improvements can be funded, programmed, and implemented incrementally. The price paid for wait- ing for funding to construct expensive, comprehensive improvements will be continued congestion, numerous conflict points, and continued severe and fatal crashes. HIGHWAY 10 ACCESS PLANNING STUDY 33