Agenda - Planning Commission - 12/01/1992

Home

This segment~haa been identified by the County as a key element in its long-term transportation plan, and as~such has been included as a mid-range project for the Anoka County 2010 Comprehensige 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. T~is particular roadway segment is undoubtedly an important transportation link as it connects Ramsey~ to Andover and the western portions of Anoka via the bridge over the Rum River. Coun~l[y [load #116 also provides volume relief to Highway #10 since it parallels it a distance of ap~proximately one-half mile to the north. However, this roadway would not provide an adequate {ubstitute as a crosstown alternative to the proposed completion of 153rd Avenue. Without the ¢on!pletion of 153rd Avenue, there will be a three mile interval between the two nearest planed east/west arterials, and a 4.5 mile interval between the two nearest existing arterials. By Contrast, north/south arterial streets service the City at regular one mile intervals or less, which is ~he interval identified as being desireable in the City's Comprehensive Plan. The total estitnated 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 land ~the project according to ~ts long-term capital ~mprovement program. The City could pursue ~earlier construction with MSA funds, however, the Counties participation in this event would ~e 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 comments and the staff response. 1) Cornn~ent: 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 munidpality 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 regardless of whether they are MSA roads. A nine ton road design would mean truck trafficrwould be capable of traversing this roadway. This weight limitation would permit most types of truck to utilize this roadway providing they are not overweight. It is econolnically important for a community to develop roadways which facilitate truck traffic as well as Passenger vehicles and arterial streets should allow for track travel. It should be point~l out that the typical traffic mix on an MSA road such as this carries approximately 7% to18% truck traffic. 2) Comment~ One resident indicated that a new roadway would be a convenient and heavily used route to transport track traffic between the landfill and the Elk River incinerator plant. RespOnse: The current travel distance from the landfill gate to the intersection of 153rd Aventle arid Highway #10 is 5.76 miles. This distance would be reduced by just under one half rrfile 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 travelled on County Road//57 and Highway #10. As a result, the travel time along 153rd Avenue 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 landfi}l as a condition of the City's land use agreement with the landfill.