Agenda - Council - 02/13/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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significantly impact Ramsey Town Center, Ramsey Crossings and Armstrong Boulevard. The • comments recommend restricting the ability to turn left from northbound Armstrong Boulevard to enter the Ramsey Crossings Development due to the proximity of the intersection to Highway 10 and the railroad tracks. Suggested solutions -also include relocating the intersection farther north, creating an overpass or restricting westbound traffic through the intersection. Mr. Olson stated moving the intersection north would be detrimental to the established businesses on the east side of Armstrong Boulevard and would require redesign of a significant portion of the Ramsey Town Center Project. The overpass would require significant design changes and increase the construction cost. Restricting westbound traffic would impact how consumers enter the Ramsey Crossings development. Mr. Olson indicated there is a potential bridge crossing between the cities of Dayton and Ramsey. There needs to be consideration of whether to construct Armstrong Boulevard so it works today, while knowing it will not work well in the 2018 to 2020 timeframe. Public Works Director Olson reviewed that Council directed staff to include a grade separated .pedestrian crossing on Armstrong Boulevard when a contract amendment for design services was approved. Staff has reviewed the potential of placing an underpass similar to the one on TH 47 under Armstrong Boulevard. The groundwater level in this area is approximately seven feet below existing grade. This would require raising the road grade approximately eight feet to provide space for the structure; assuming the floor of the structure was placed one foot above normal groundwater elevation and that the tunnel may have water when the groundwater levels rise. Raising the roadbed would require significant amounts of fill or retaining walls and would impact access to the adjacent properties. Mr. Olson indicated the County has indicated they would allow eastbound traffic to turn southbound on Sunwood Drive, but would not allow northbound traffic to turn westbound. Restricting this movement. will keep traffic from backing up to the railroad tracks. Mr. Bryan Nemeth, Bolton & Menk, provided a presentation on the Ramsey Crossings EAW Traffic Analysis. There was considerable discussion regarding the County and State recommendations, including the following: - • Impact on the businesses on the east side of Armstrong Boulevard • Impact on how customers enter Ramsey Crossings Public Works Director Olson reviewed possible traffic patterns. Councilmember Elvig asked if there is a possible timeframe to keep the access open for the businesses on the east side of Armstrong Boulevard until they become a destination. _He stressed the need for a short term and long term solution to this situation. Public Works Director Olson replied if Council directs him to work aggressively regarding this he could request temporary signals to preserve traffic movements. There is discussion about redesigning this whole Ramsey Town Center area. Direction is needed from the Council on how strongly they feel about Sunwood Drive as the permanent connection. If he were to indicate to the County that it makes sense for Sunwood Drive to be an underpass in the future it will • City- Council Work Session / January 16, 2007 Page 8 of 10 —180—