Minutes - Public Works Committee - 01/18/2005

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The one thing that has to be considered is that currently anyone trying to make a left turn at ×kimo and TH 47 is virtually impossible even with the lights. If the proposal of the 3/4th median does move forward he would ask that there be a dedicated left turn lane installed at Xkimo and TH 47. The one issue that the 3/4th median will not address is the kids who live on the west side of TH 47 trying to cross to get to the City Park. Another factor that has to be considered is that a new office building is going to be constructed between Amoco and Holiday and if they increase all of the traffic on that frontage road it will have a serious impact to those residents living on the road. Gary Greb, 14183 Argon Street NW, Ramsey, explained that his property backs the intersection of TH 47 and 142nd Avenue. He stated that when MnDOT conducted the traffic analysis the counting strips were not placed in the correct locations to accurately measure the traffic in the area. It was his opinion that if the full median is installed it will only increase the speed on the road, which will only make it more dangerous for kids who try and cross at the intersection to get to the park. The reality is that kids will not go down to SA or Holiday to cross at a lighted intersection. With the area being completely built out traffic should not be allowed to drive 55 mph. Chairperson Elvig noted that the speed limit on TH 47 is 45 mph. Mr. Greb replied that may be so, but the reality is that nobody drives 45 mph. When he leaves his house at 7:00 a.m. it is almost impossible for him to get onto TH 47 and he is just trying to take a right turn because people will not make the room for people to get on. For the residents that do use the intersection of ×kimo and TH 47 they often have to sit through several green lights before they can even get onto TH 47. Mr. Greb stated that he thought it was arrogant of the representatives of MnDOT to state that they know the area better then the residents. They made the statement at the informational meeting that it is was either their way or nothing. He personally thought the only solution was to install a traffic light at the intersection of TH 47 and 142nd Avenue. Matt Hienrichs, Blue Velvet owner, stated that he also wanted to speak on behalf of the owner of Rum River liquor store because she was not able to attend the meeting. He stated that when the explosion happened on Highway 10 it forced all of the traffic onto C.R. #116 and it gave him an opportunity to view the traffic flow of the area. It was at that time that that he realized that the traffic analysis was not conducted at a time when traffic counts were at its peak because children were not in school and that the bell hoses were not put in the correct location to accurately count the traffic in the area. Realizing this he contacted Beth at MnDOT regarding the location of the bell hoses and she agreed that they might need to do a reevaluation. His customers and the other customers that utilizes the businesses usually go up T.H. 47 and do a U-Turn at the intersection of TH 47 and 142nd Avenue rather than trying to take a left from 142nd Avenue onto TH 47. He noted that there was a not bell hose placed on any of the left turn lanes on TH 47. All that MnDOT counted for was straight through traffic. In addition the analysis did not take into consideration all of the traffic that is currently using the service road as a way to avoid having to use the intersection. Public Works Committee/January 18, 2005 Page 4 of 27