Agenda - Council - 11/13/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CSAH 57 Reconstruction Page 2 of 3 With the addition of the raised median, Anoka County will rely on drivers to adjust their travel patterns in recognition that left turn movements will no longer be possible. For example, northbound left turns into the Sunfish Commons will now be required to proceed north of the entrance and make alegal U-turn at the next roadway intersection. While traffic exiting Sunfish Commons bound for TH 10 or south on Sunfish Lake Boulevard will not require a new route, outbound traffic headed. north will need to travel south to TH 10 and either go east or west to an alternate northbound roadway such as Ramsey Boulevard or Thurston Avenue. Although southbound-to-northbound U-turns will not be prohibited, the CSAH 57/TH 10 intersection's geometry will only accommodate U-turns by a passenger vehicle. Anoka County recognizes that roadway improvements that respond to the growing level of traffic require driving patterns that are less convenient than current patterns. To safely and efficiently move the projected volume of traffic, however, the addition of the raised median and channelized turn lanes is necessary. The County reminds all drivers that driving over the raised median to take a left turn and making U-turns at the railroad crossing opening are each illegal and dangerous. COMMENT: Reconstruction of CSAH 57 should include a median opening at McKinley Street to allow employee and truck access to the Gateway Business Plaza and provide an alternative to performing a U-turn at the railroad crossing. RESPONSE: Even though a median opening at this -ocation does not meet Anoka County's minimum spacing requirements, County Highway Department staff has agreed to construct an opening at McKinley for the following reasons: • A protected left turn lane at McKinley Street allowing northbound-to-southbound U-turns may minimize potential unlawful U-turns at the railroad crossing (even though they could be eliminated with active enforcement). • The additional access at McKinley Street will be an interim condition, as the current at-grade CSAH 57/McKinley intersection is proposed to be closed when the future. CSAH 57/TH 10 interchange is constructed. The McKinley/CSAH 57 intersection will not be considered for future signalization before or after the future interchange is constructed. • There is no other U-turn opportunity for northbound traffic until a protected left turn lane is constructed at CR 116 (Bunker Lake. Boulevard). -290- http://www.tkda.com/anoka/csah57 cmnts.htm 11/7/2007