Agenda - Economic Development Authority - 10/09/2014

Home

CONCEPTS CONSIDERED 4. Sunfish Lake Blvd Railroad Underpass Grade separation of the railroad at Sunfish Lake Blvd (CSAH 57) is a priority for Anoka County. Although the Sunfish Lake Overpass option would provide a built-in railroad grade -separation, the other concepts could potentially be retrofitted with a railroad underpass. However, there are some challenges with a railroad underpass at this location. The design speed would need to be 30 mph for the vertical curvature compared to the 45 mph posted speed. Grades approaching the intersection with Highway 10 exceed 5 percent, which poses issues for vehicles waiting at the traffic signal, especially with winter road condi- tions. Depending on how this project is phased with improvements along Highway 10, the profile could be altered to provide a smoother transition. Nonetheless, grade separation at the railroad could be achieved independent of grade separation of Highway 10. Subarea 5 — Anoka Approach 1 1. Construct Greenhaven Pkwy from Thurston Ave to Main St - Project 5-1-1 This project provides a local street connection north of Highway 10 from the Anoka Technical College to Main St.. This road would tie in with the other north frontage road projects to connect to Sunfish Lake Blvd. A new intersection (traffic signal or roundabout controlled) would be built along Thurston Ave. where the local street intersects which would allow for the removal of the all -way stop that currently exists just north of Highway 10. The project would close the access on Highway 10 for the cemetery by providing a new entrance on the north side off Greenhaven Parkway. In addition, this project would connect Thurston Ave. with Main Ave., without using Highway 10. 2. Remove Fairoak Signal - Project 5-1-2 (options a, b, and c) Projects 5-1-2a, 5-1-2b, and 5-1-2c all reconstruct Highway 10 between Thurston Ave. and Main St. in order to remove the traffic signal at Fairoak Ave. and provide a frontage road on the south side of the highway. A reduced conflict, at -grade intersection would replace the existing traffic signal, helping the operational issues caused by transitioning from freeway to signalized expressway. The westbound left -turn at Fairoak Ave. could be a temporary transition for the businesses on the south side of Highway 10. This left -turn could be removed when the eastbound signal at Thurston Ave. is removed or a crash problem develops. The south frontage road would be formally identified through the Kmart parking lot east to Fairoak Ave.. Two access points would be closed with this project. The differences between the three versions of this project are in the method of providing pedestrian access across the highway. Most pedestrians crossing midblock either originate or are destined for the area around Verndale Ave. Option A would constructing a pedestrian overpass from Verndale Ave. south across the high- way. Option B would take a similar route with a pedestrian underpass. Option C would provide a local street overpass that accommodates pedestrians and bikes. 3. Extension of South Frontage Road from Fairoak Ave to Main St - Project 5-1-3 On the south side of the highway, local traffic uses Highway 10 to travel between the businesses south of the highway and downtown Anoka. A frontage road alignment was identified between the highway and the cemetery that could provide this much needed local access and connectivity. The south ramp terminal of the Main St. interchange would also be improved in this project by constructing a roundabout to more safely handle the five -legged intersection. This project would close the Fairoak HIGHWAY 10 ACCESS PLANNING STUDY 58