Agenda - Council - 07/10/2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

City of f, RAMSEY Regional Mississippi Skyway Multiuse Trail Bridge Project Location: Highway 10/169 Corridor, City of Ramsey, Anoka County Federal Funds Request: Federal: $3,240,000 Local Match: $810,000 Project Total: $4,050,000 Local Investments: • $100K TOD Grant for Preliminary Design • MRT connection with south bridge touchdown point at the Mississippi River Regional Trail land donated by private developer —valued > $100,000 • $490k National Park Service investment for Final Plans and Spec for the skyway extension —the bridge is fully shovel -ready • Level 2 Layout approval by MnDOT, Bridge #02053 • Removal of overhead power near south touchdown point • Realignment of the Central Anoka County Regional Trail to connect the Ramsey Northstar Station with CSAH 116 and utilize the future Mississippi Skyway to cross TH 10/169 Project Purpose The Regional Mississippi Skyway Multiuse Trail Bridge will provide a vital, non - motorized, grade -separated connection across Highway 10/169 to the Center of Ramsey (COR), a 400-acre Transit Oriented Development area within the City of Ramsey. Specifically connecting the Northstar Transit Station, mixed use amenities, 750 households within a half -mile (288 more to be constructed within a year), and the Mississippi River Regional Trail. The 4-lane divided principal arterial is a significant non -motorized barrier, connecting Minneapolis -St. Paul to St. Cloud, and carrying up to 47,500 vehicles per day (4% heavy truck) through the City of Ramsey. Immediate Need Today, a continuous pedestrian system does not exist along Highway 10/169 resulting in pedestrians walking and biking along the roadway shoulders and crossing the 4-lane divided highway at unmarked locations. The past 10 years have seen five crashes involving a pedestrian or bicyclist. Two of these crashes resulted in a pedestrian fatality. Biker on shoulder during winter months Continued development of the Ramsey COR and the Regional Park on the opposite side of the highway, has the city, county, and MnDOT concerned for the significant increase in non -motorized trips across Highway 10/169 that it will draw. In addition, the city has recently initiated the Ramsey Highway 10 Corridor Improvement Project which will result in a singular vision to reduce a significant number of private and local access points along the highway. While beneficial to motorized safety and mobility, it further degrades the already unsafe non -motorized environment along Highway 10/169 by allowing for increased motorized speeds and capacity. The Highway 10 project recognizes the Mississippi Skyway as an integral project component to address non -motorized deficiencies and safety issues. Funding the Mississippi Skyway project benefits the Highway 10/169 corridor's role in regional transportation and economy in terms of efficient freight movement and connections to jobs and services. Heavy traffic volumes, severe back-ups, and traffic delays impact accessibility and safety for pedestrians and bicyclists in addition to vehicle traffic. Roadway and non -motorized system improvements, to diminish local highway trips, are equally important to reduce congestion and improve safety along the Highway 10/169 corridor. The bridge connection between two east - west continuous regional trails will remove the need for pedestrians and bicyclists to utilize the highway shoulders or cross the 4-lane divided highway to reach the several regional destinations in the project area. Project Benefits • Eliminates physical non -motorized barrier • ADA compliant • Safely connects regional destinations • Connects a RBTN Tier 1 and Tier 2 corridor • Integrates and extends existing and planned regional infrastructure • Promotes non -motorized transportation in an area that provides jobs and services • Supports Northstar Transit connections