Agenda - Planning Commission - 11/05/1992

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This segmetlt has been identified by the County as a key element in its long-term transportation plan, and a.~ sutch has been included as a mid-range project for the Anoka County 2010 Comprehensive Transportation Plan. At this time, no specific construction date has been set for this project. ~oWever, mid-range projects are anticipated to be constructed between the years 1996 and 2001. ~l~his ~artieular roadway segment is undoubtedly an important transportation link as it connects Ra~soy to Andover and the western portions of Anoka via the bridge over the Rum River. County ~oad gl 16 also provides volume relief to Highway gl0 since it parallels it a distance of apprOximately one-half mile to the north. However, this roadway would not provide an adequate isubstitute as a crosstown alternative to the proposed completion of 153rd Avenue. Without th~ !eon~pletion of 153rd Avenue, there will be a three mile interval between the two nearest planned'east/west arterials, and a 4.5 mile interval between the two nearest existing arterials. B~ contrast, north/south arterial streets service the City at regular one mile intervals or less, which is th~interval identified as being desireable in the City's Comprehensive Plan. The total estimated cost for this roadway is $550,000 with a construction cost of $370,000. The major cost components would include grading, curb and gutter, paving and land acquisition. The county will fired the project according to its long-term capital improvement program. The City could pursue[ e~lier construction with MSA funds, however, the Counties participation in this event would be uncertain. Public Comments and Responses In addition t° the alternatives proposed by individuals present at the September 24, 1991 and December 10, 1991 meetings, comments were made by the public in attendance. Below is a summary of O_~ mments and the staff response. 1) comment: The City is unable to control weight limits and speed limits on MSA roads. Response: All speed limits within the State of Minnesota can be determined by the municipality only to the extent that they may be set at 30 mph in urban areas or must remain 55 mph in non-urban areas. The State of Minnesota determines all other speed limits regar~ess~ of whether they are MSA roads. A nine ton road design would mean truck traffi¢iwotfld be capable of traversing this roadway. This weight limitation would permit most ~yp~s of truck to utilize this roadway providing they are not overweight. It is economically important for a community to develop roadways which facilitate track traffic as well as passenger vehicles and arterial streets should allow for truck travel. It should be point~t ottt that the typical traffic mix on an MSA road such as this carries approximately 7% to 8% 'truck traffic. 2) Comment: One resident indicated that a new roadway would be a convenient and heavily used rOute to transport truck traffic between the landfill and the Elk River incinerator plant. Response:; The current travel distance from the landfill gate to the intersection of 153rd Avenue and Highway gl0 is 5.76 miles. This distance would be reduced by just under one half nffie with the completion of 153rd Avenue as proposed. However, the 153rd Avenue route would require two additional stops and its speed limits are less than that which would be trav~elled on County Road g57 and Highway gl0. Asa result, the travel time along 153rd ~ve~ue would be increased by 12%. It is doubtful that many vehicles will choose to use th#alternate route at a greater travel time. Additionally, it should be noted that the life of the landfill is finite, and the City has the ability to specify haul routes to and from the landfill~as a condition of the City's land use agreement with the landfill.