Minutes - Public Works Committee - 01/18/2005

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Mr. Greb stated that the reality is that people are using the frontage roads rather than T.H. 47, which is not what the frontage roads were intended for. He did not feel that MnDOT had an accurate analysis of the traffic at that intersection. Chairperson Elvig stated that if the counts are exactly what you think they should be it draws some concern. The City has had studies done that have indicated 18,000 vehicles and the most recent study completed by MnDOT is only indicating about 9,000. Assistant Director of Public Works Olson explained that the 18,000 were for both directions so the counts are similar. Chairperson Elvig stated that currently they have a situation where TH 47 is backed up all the way to Bill Superette in the mornings so a seven minute ride turns into 30 minutes. Personally he did not why the signalization can't be sequenced better. Because of the delays on TH 47 a lot of the traffic is being funneled down Sunwood Drive to CSAH 5 to Dysprosium and then going through the residential neighborhood. At this point he was not confident that MnDOT had an accurate traffic count for that area. As a side note he stated that he was not sure why there was a painted crosswalk at the intersection of TH 47 and 142nd Avenue. He did not think it was an intersection where they wanted to encourage pedestrian traffic. Assistant Director of Public Works Olson noted that with the upgrade of Bunker Lake Boulevard there will be a constant median from T.H. 47 to Dysprosium in addition to signals being installed at Dysprosium and Bunker Lake Boulevard, which will change the flow of traffic somewhat in the area. Mr. Hienrichs inquired if the 3/4th median would allow for u-turns. Assistant Director of Public Works Olson replied that it did not appear that it would. Director of Public Works/Fire Chief Kapler noted that the City Engineer is looking at all of the options they have to relieve some of the pressure that would be created by closing off the intersection. Councilmember Cook stated that even if the changes are made to the other intersections people will still use the other routes because they are safer and faster. Their main issue should be increasing the safety of the intersection and the only way that is going to happen is to decrease accidents. He saw the 3/4th median as being a fair compromise. Christine Bell, 14336 Waco Street NW, Ramsey, stated that if they are talking about safety they have to look at the pedestrian issue not just cars. They have kids on bikes and everyone knows that children don't pay a lot of attention to the cars. There are new moms with strollers and dog walkers that are often retired folks trying to get across the highway to the park that are not able to cross the road quickly. If they close it off the intersection entirely the traffic is only going to go faster. She thought constructing the median was a horrible decision and that it would send a bad Public Works Committee/January 18, 2005 Page 6 of 27