Agenda - Council - 02/23/2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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File Location: Pbrama>HDrive>Legislativelnitiatives>2016 (1) Implementation of U.S. Highway 10 Access Planning Study Projects ISSUE: U.S. Highway 10 is a principal arterial roadway providing significant transportation connections from Minneapolis — St. Paul to the northwest suburbs and Greater Minnesota. The 4 -lane roadway (Anoka/Sherburne County line to the Rum River in Anoka) carries average daily traffic volumes ranging from 33,500 to 61,000 vehicles per day. This corridor is commonly congested and has much higher than average crash and crash severity rates than comparable corridors. In addition, the corridor has four signalized intersections and numerous direct access points (14.5 per mile); which contribute to the degradation of the U.S. Highway 10. Over the past ten (10) years, thirteen (13) people have died in crashes on this 7 -mile corridor. Four (4) fatalities were pedestrians; including (3) from 2013 to 2014. Highway 10 has been studied numerous times over the past decade, each time a full -freeway status was identified as the ultimate solution. However, due to limited funding opportunities at the State and Federal level, full -freeway status would be difficult to achieve within the next 20 years. As a result of funding constraints, MnDOT and Bolton & Menk completed a study to achieve freeway -like status for U.S. Highway 10 in the fall of 2014. This study is known as: The U.S. Highway 10 Access Planning Study. This study achieves 90% of the safety and operational benefits of a full -freeway for 50% of the cost. 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. This study has been formally adopted by MnDOT, Anoka County, the City of Anoka and the City of Ramsey. Information Source, Highway 10 Access Planning Study (link) RECOMMENDATIONS: A. included in the U.S. Highway 10 Access Planning Study is a recommended, prioritized, list of improvement projects. The City of Ramsey recommends State and Federal funding sources be secured to implement both "immediate" and "short -tem" priority projects. B. the City of Ramsey's general position on U.S. Highway 10 is more resources must be dedicated to all components of the State's transportation system, and local units of government must have access to resources and funding tools to meet growing needs. C. the City of Ramsey's position on rail crossing improvements along U.S. Highway 10 is the City opposes legislation and policies that disproportionately shift authority, costs, and/or liability away from railroad companies and onto units of government. Additionally, the City supports funding for separation of rail - vehicle traffic as a critical matter of public safety and congestion. TOPIC IS CONSISTENT THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS LEGISLATIVE PLATFORMS: >Metro North Chamber: transportation system improvements >Anoka County: Bonding for U.S. Highway 10 Projects >League of Minnesota Cities: Adequate Funding for Transportation, LE -34 >League of Minnesota Cities: Railroads, LE -40 >Metro Cities: Transportation Funding, 5-A >North Metro Mayor's Association, Transportation Funding >North Metro Mayor's Association, North Metro Highway Construction Projects >North Metro Mayor's Association, Rail Crossings and Rails Safety 2016 City of Ramsey Legislative Platform Page 3 of 9