Agenda - Council Work Session - 10/12/2021

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Progress MnDOT is currently completing the 169 Redefine project that will convert Highway 169 to a freeway, removing all five stop lights from the Mississippi River north through Elk River. Construction is planned for 2022-2024. Key Takeaways • Elk River is anticipating major population growth by 2035. • The city has a large portion of the city held in reserve for future development adjacent to TH 169 and TH 10 where intense development is expected. • TH 169 is programmed for freeway conversion by 2024 through Elk River. Maple Grove 2040 Comprehensive Plan (2019) Look Back Maple Grove had a population of 61,567 among 22,867 households and 29,877 jobs in 2010. 85% of the community is either developed or in open space. There is growing congestion on regional routes such as 1-494, 1-694, and 1-94 causing diversion of traffic to County roadways and local streets. Congestion is spurred by urbanization of developing areas of the city, particularly in the Gravel Mining Area and northwest portion of the City. Transportation goals include providing and protecting efficient connections from major freight facilities to the regional highway system, as well as coordinating with regional governments, transit agencies, and rideshare programs to capture the environmental and social costs of commuting and incentivize alternatives to single -occupancy vehicle trips. I-94 west of its interchange with TH 169 and east of its interchange with 1-494 are considered Top Interstate Truck Count Locations in the Metro area, carrying 9,900 trucks per day and 9,800 trucks per day, respectively. Currently freight traffic travelling westbound on TH 610 can only continue westbound on 1-94, and similarly freight traffic travelling eastbound on 1-94 can only continue eastbound on TH 610. Look to Future The city has a projected 2040 population of 89,700 among 33,100 households and 47,000 jobs by 2040. This will undoubtedly exacerbate issues with congestion on regional routes. The city's land use focus will be on managing development, primarily in the northwest sector of the city as well as the Gravel Mining Area. This development is anticipated to bring 170,000 square feet of office space, 110,000 square feet of retail, and 140 high density residential units. Utility extensions are anticipated to be completed within the 2020-2030 timeframe. To increase connectivity between freight centers located along TH 610 and 1-94 and improve regional freight mobility in the northwest metropolitan area, the City of Maple Grove's future vision is to extend TH 610 to connect to CSAH 30 and complete the missing TH 610 connections to 1-94. Progress The TH 169/CSAH 81 interchange has been reconstructed since 2004. Key Takeaways • Maple Grove anticipates major growth in population, housing, and employment that will increase traffic pressure on regional highways. • Congestion already exists due to urbanization of developing areas including the Gravel Mining Area and the northwest portion of the city where significant development is anticipated to continue. NW Metro Mississippi River Crossings Feasibility Analysis Page 129