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<br />Mayor Pro Tern Cook stated at National Night Out he had received many questions and <br />comments regarding this project. <br /> <br />Tony Winieki stated they had looked at number of different alignments with the goal being to <br />look at a number of the north/south corridors. He stated currently TH 47 experiences congestion <br />during peak periods from Alpine Drive to THI0. By year 2030, the project growth area is <br />expected to increase by 68% in population, 86% in households and 35% in employment in this <br />area. Analysis showed an additional crossing of the Rum River would serve primarily local <br />traffic, and does not reduce demand on north/south roadways. He noted of the 22 intersections <br />studies; 86% had crash rates above the metropolitan average with 45% in the critical range. He <br />indicated five fatalities occurred on TH47 and one on CSAH 57 between years 2001-2005. <br />Traffic volumes are anticipated to grow by 47% on TH47, 44% on Thurston 59% on CSAH 57 <br />and 90% on CSAH 5. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jeffrey asked if they were studying speeds in this area as well. He noted <br />Highway 5 was a concern. <br /> <br />Mr. Winieki responded they had looked at speeds and it was a part of what they were studying. <br />He stated right now they were establishing the issues and needs and after the public meeting they <br />would define alternatives and evaluation methods, and evaluate the alternatives with another <br />public meeting to be held in January 2007 at which time they would select the preferred <br />alternatives with another public meeting held in April 2007. He noted the issues they would <br />need to address are contaminated soils, the golf course, the railroad crossing, flood plains, etc. <br /> <br />Councilmember Pearson asked if they took a traffic count as to whether they were going to do a <br />2-lane or a 4-lane road. He asked what was the analysis when it went from a 2-lane to a 4-lane <br />road. <br /> <br />Mr. Winieki responded there were four types of roadways: local roadways, minor arterial <br />roadways, collector roadways, and principal arterials. He stated TH47 was a significant roadway <br />because it was between Highways 65 and 169. He reviewed the average daily traffic existing in <br />2004 and forecasted for 2030. He reviewed the existing and forecast (2030) segment and <br />intersection congestion. He noted on TH47 traffic from Highway 10 to Alpine Drive was very <br />congested now and would operate extremely poorly in the future. He indicated they had looked <br />at the segment and intersection safety. <br /> <br />Lynn Kiesow stated when they looked at crash rates they look at the individual intersection and <br />the type of roadway. She stated they looked at 22 intersections and 20 of those intersections <br />were all above the average rate for that type of intersection. She noted they tended to see a lot of <br />accidents when there was high traffic volume with higher speeds. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jeffrey stated he had a major concern with Highway 5. He noted there is an <br />elementary school on Highway 5. He asked at what point in time they would start slowing down <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / August 3, 2006 <br />Page 2 of 8 <br />