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(since it is physically unposted, and posted at 50 mph to the west of Trunk Highway #47). <br />The Commissioner of Transportation can only alter the speed limits on these roadways <br />after an engineering study is conducted. It is possible that the speed limits might be <br />slightly lowered (particularly the 55-mph limit on the west leg of County Road #116) <br />however, a reduction of more than 5 or 10 miles per hour is unlikely. Also, many of the <br />accidents don't involve excessive speed, particularity the rear end accidents on eastbound <br />C.R. #116. <br /> <br />Create another median opening with signals in front of Rivers Bend Plaza. <br /> <br />This modification would need to be undertaken by MnDot since Trunk Highway #47 is <br />under their jurisdiction. MnDot would be strongly opposed to this modification. This <br />modification may be unable to meet geometric standards scheduled by MnDot. <br /> <br />The representative from Rivers Bend Plaza suggested working with experts to <br />come up with alternative to the closure proposal. <br /> <br />Mr. Len Currie, representing Rivers Bend Plaza, indicated that he would like to hire <br />traffic consultants to analyze the problem. Staff contacted Mr. Currie in late April 2001, <br />and sent him a list of consultants specializing in transportation issues. I have not received <br />any communication from Mr. Currie as to the status of his proposal. I did send Mr. <br />Currie the attached letter inviting him to this discussion of the issue. <br /> <br />There is an obvious perception that any effort to increase safety at this location by <br />limiting access will result in a decrease in the economic viability of the shopping center. <br />It may be helpful to the Council to consider that traffic volumes at this location have <br />steadily increased since the opening of the plaza in the mid-1980's. The table below <br />shows the traffic volumes past the shopping center between 1988 and 1998. It is <br />reasonable to expect that additional safety measures may need to be implemented as a <br />result of the increase of traffic and accident history. <br /> <br />Traffic Adjacent to Rivers Bend <br /> <br />Year <br /> <br />T.H. #47 N/O #116 <br /> <br />C.R. #116/E/O #47 <br /> <br />1998 16,800 11,200 <br /> <br />1996 16,000 10,465 <br /> <br />1994 14,000 9,656 <br /> <br />1992 12,800 7,558 <br /> <br />1990 12,800 0 <br /> <br />1988 11,300 0 <br /> <br /> <br />