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190 pedestrians use the crossing in any single hour, and that there are fewer than 60 gaps per hour <br />which will allow pedestrians to cross the intersection. The desire to make modifications to this <br />intersection relates to the concern for improving its safety. Summaries of the annual accident <br />histories for the years 1998, 1999, 2000 and, 2001 were provided by MnDOT. <br /> <br />Since the open house, MnDOT has considered the public comments and has proposed an <br />alternative to the full median closure. A sketch of this was provided to the Committee for their <br />review. This alternative would allow left turns from TH 47 onto 142nd Avenue, but would <br />disallow left turns from 142nd Avenue onto TH 47. <br /> <br />Increasing the safety of this intersection is related to reducing the potential for conflict points <br />between vehicles. Unfortunately the reduction of conflict points comes at the expense of <br />eliminating some permitted movement, which reduces the accessibility of this intersection. It was <br />therefore staff' s recommendation that the City support the modification of this intersection to a 3 <br />/4th median. <br /> <br />Wayne Bell, 14336 Waco Street NW, Ramsey, stated that he was not impressed with the amount <br />of information that MnDOT had in regards to the impact closing the median would have to local <br />businesses. MnDOT indicated at the meeting that they were coming forward with the proposal to <br />close the intersection in response to the one fatality that occurred at the intersection. When Mr. <br />Bell questioned MnDOT as to what they do in other intersections with one fatality they could not <br />provide that information. When TH 47 was upgraded a number of residents pleaded to get lights <br />at the intersection of 142nd Avenue and TH 47, but the only response they would get is that the <br />intersection id not meet warrants and that MnDOT would not allow lights to be installed that <br />close to one another. The issue of the lights being too close together is questionable when they <br />seem to have no problem doing it on a State highway. Mr. Bell stated that he knows for a fact <br />that the two signals could be coordinated with one another to minimize the delay the additional <br />traffic light would create. If the intersection is completely closed off they are going to <br />inconvenience several people who live in Rivers Bend neighborhood in addition to seriously <br />impacting the local businesses in the area. Mr. Bell personally did not think that the decision to <br />close the intersection had been well thought out. Another issue he thought the Committee needed <br />to consider is that that intersection is the main access point to one of the City's biggest parks. <br />Mr. Bell suggested that MnDOT should recount the traffic going through the intersection during <br />peak hours in the spring when school is in session and spring sports have started. <br /> <br />City Engineer Jankowski noted that City staff has requested that as part of TH 47 improvements <br />that MnDOT remove the hump on TH 47 south of 167th Avenue. MnDOT has responded that <br />they will remove the hump if there is significant right of way to accommodate the project. <br /> <br />Chairperson Elvig stated that he could see the 3/4th median being recommended for the <br />intersection of 142nd Avenue and TH 47as being a benefit for those we are trying to access the <br />City Park and local businesses, but it would not provide any benefit to the residential <br />neighborhoods. <br /> <br />TV Rao, 14359 Waco Street NW, Ramsey, stated that the 3/4th median is an interesting thought. <br /> <br />Public Works Committee/January 18, 2005 <br /> Page 3 of 27 <br /> <br /> <br />