Agenda - Council Work Session - 10/12/2021

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m DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NORTHWEST METRO Mississippi River Crossings: Next Steps Overview and Need Context and Land Use Traffic Analysis Improvement Concepts Next Steps Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic The timeframe during which this analysis was conducted coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic health crisis. During this time, lower traffic volumes were observed due to social gathering restrictions, school and business closures and increased telecommuting. These changes in travel impacted the performance of highways in the study area compared to the pre-COVID traffic data collected for this feasibility analysis. For example, many highways had lower peak period volumes, resulting in congestion that was substantially decreased or eliminated. A sensitivity analysis was undertaken to compare the traffic conditions during the pandemic versus pre-COVID conditions. This showed that several of the bottlenecks identified in the traffic analysis had been reduced or were eliminated. Other locations, however, continued to experience congestion during the pandemic, most commonly on highway corridors with traffic signals such as Highways 10, 101 and 169. The future travel demand on highways in the study area will require ongoing monitoring to understand traffic conditions as the COVID-19 pandemic subsides. Decision makers should monitor these trends in the coming years and weigh the uncertainties of travel behaviors and demand when making investments on highway improvements. Next steps This feasibility analysis revealed the following important findings: • The four concepts evaluated in this analysis all produced a benefit -cost ratio that is technically feasible. • Additional analysis is needed (particularly with safety) that was not a part of this analysis that should be included in the next phase of analysis, if one were to occur. • The question of jurisdiction for a new river crossing is not addressed in this analysis. This analysis concludes with laying out a process stakeholders could use if there is interest in moving forward with improvements. The following are necessary elements for advancing projects: • Identify a champion for leadership (no recommendation at this time) • Adopt a vision to determine improvements that align with local goals • Establish a prioritization plan for implementing projects in the vision • Facilitate public involvement to incorporate additional voices Advancement of mobility improvements in this area will require additional study, environmental review process and funding for implementation. page 22