Agenda - Public Works Committee - 10/17/2000

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UPDATE ON TRUNK HIGHWAY #47 By: Steve Jankowski, City Engineer PW CASE # Background: On Tuesday, September 19, 2000 the Public Works Committee meeting had a discussion on the construction of a six foot screening wall along the east side of Highway #47 from the wetland north of County State Aid Highway #5 to 149th Avenue N.W. Staff was directed to pursue an agreement with MnDot for the construction of this wall. MnDot has prepared a draft supplemental agreement for modifying the project for the addition of the wall. It should be noted that the proposed agreement is silent with regard to the future maintenance of the wall. The Committee may or may not want this issue specifically addressed within this agreement. The draft agreement does not have the cost of the wall at this time. Hopefully this number will be available by the time of the meeting. Also, at the meeting a number of residents north of 149th Avenue N.W. in the Willow Ridge subdivision indicated that their properties were also adversely impacted by the highway project. Staff was directed to meet with these residents and discuss their concerns. A meeting was held with these residents on Wednesday, October 11, 2000. Thirteen residents met with staff and the Mayor at the intersection of Barium Street N.W. and Trunk Highway #47. The two major concerns of the residents was the increased visibility of the highway due to the loss of a berm which had existed for a distance of 400 feet on both the north and south sides of Barium Street intersection, and the closer proximity of the highway traffic to the public trail and their backyards. Residents had suggested a three-foot retaining wall, a six-foot screening wall, or both be considered as mitigation measures to alleviate their concerns. Staff has sent the attached letter to MnDot requesting a response to the above suggestions. It has been estimated that the 785 meters of wall between 149th Avenue N.W. and the wetland will cost approximately $100,000. So an additional 270 meters of wall in the Willow Ridge area could cost approximately $35,000. The cost of a three-foot high retaining wall through the Willow Ridge area is estimated to cost approximately $50,000 based on current unit prices for the project. Committee Action: Based on discussion. Reviewed by: Director of Public Works PW: 10/17/00