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<br />significantly impact Ramsey Town Center, Ramsey Crossings and Armstrong Boulevard. The <br />comments recommend restricting the ability to turn left from northbound Armstrong Boulevard <br />to enter the Ramsey Crossings Development due to the proximity of the intersection to Highway <br />10 and the railroad tracks. Suggested solutions also include relocating the intersection farther <br />north, creating an overpass or restricting westbound traffic through the intersection. Mr. Olson <br />stated moving the intersection north would be detrimental to the established businesses on the <br />east side of Armstrong Boulevard and would require redesign of a significant portion of the <br />Ramsey Town Center Project. The overpass would require significant design changes and <br />increase the construction cost. Restricting westbound traffic would impact how consumers enter <br />the Ramsey Crossings development. Mr. Olson indicated there is a potential bridge crossing <br />between the cities of Dayton and Ramsey. There needs to be consideration of whether to <br />construct Armstrong Boulevard so it works today, while knowing it will not work well in the <br />2018 to 2020 timeframe. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson reviewed that Council directed staff to include a grade separated <br />pedestrian crossing on Armstrong Boulevard when a contract amendment for design services was <br />approved. Staff has reviewed the potential of placing an underpass similar to the one on TH 47 <br />under Armstrong Boulevard. The groundwater level in this area is approximately seven feet <br />below existing grade. This would require raising the road grade approximately eight feet to <br />provide space for the structure; assuming the floor of the structure was placed one foot above <br />normal groundwater elevation and noting that the tunnel may have water when the groundwater <br />levels rise. Raising the roadbed would require significant amounts of fill or retaining walls and <br />would impact access to the adjacent properties. Mr. Olson indicated the County has indicated <br />they would allow eastbound traffic to turn southbound on Sunwood Drive, but would not allow <br />northbound traffic to turn westbound. Restricting this movement will keep traffic from backing <br />up to the railroad tracks. <br /> <br />Mr. Bryan Nemeth, Bolton & Menk, provided a presentation on the Ramsey Crossings EA W <br />Traffic Analysis. <br /> <br />There was considerable discussion regarding the County and State recommendations, including <br />the following: <br />· Impact on the businesses on the east side of Armstrong Boulevard <br />· Impact on how customers enter Ramsey Crossings <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson reviewed possible traffic patterns. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig asked if there is a possible timeframe to keep the access open for the <br />businesses on the east side of Armstrong Boulevard until they become a destination. He stressed <br />the need for a short term and long term solution to this situation. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson replied if Council directs him to work aggressively regarding this <br />he could request temporary signals to preserve traffic movements. There is discussion about <br />redesigning this whole Ramsey Town Center area. Direction is needed from the Council on how <br />strongly they feel about Sunwood Drive as the permanent connection. If he were to indicate to <br />the County that it makes sense for Sunwood Drive to be an underpass in the future it will <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / January 16,2007 <br />Page 8 of 10 <br />