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CASE REVIEW OF T.H. #47 CORRIDOR STUDY By: Steve Jankowski, City Engineer Background: In the fall of 1995, the City initiated a Corridor Study along T.H. //47 in response to concerns raised over current congestion and increasing traffic caused by development. Specifically, the Corridor Study included the segment of highway between the Anoka City limits and 167th Avenue, and was charged with the goals of (a) determining the extent of current traffic operations, problems, and possible solutions; (b) developing an access management plan and an ultimate roadway design; and (c) developing a planning time table. A public hearing on a draft plan was held on March 26, 1996 after soliciting earlier public input at an informational meeting held on January 17, 1996 and a workshop session on March 19, 1996. Following the public hearing the consultant, SRF, Inc., was directed to prepare a response to comments made at the public hearing. At this point, the consultant has revised the study and has made modifications in response to comments received. Observations: Attached are the minutes of the March 26, 1996 public hearing. Several issues recur in the comments: The 149th Avenue Neighborhood Issues This neighborhood includes 11 properties which have been identified as being necessary for eventual acquisition in order to expand T.H. #47 to its ultimate section. The study estimates this expansion will be warranted in eight to 20 years. Residents expressed concern over the uncertainty of the acquisition and asked for a date when acquisition would occur. In addition, the plan suggested that several residences might possibly have their garage's access relocated in lieu razing the entire property. The residents indicated they would prefer to be relocated rather than continue living so close to the expanded highway. Finally, a proposed connection of Sunwood Drive to 149th Avenue would also significantly alter the nature of their lots. In response to these concerns, it is proposed that the City assure these residents that the City will oppose the expansion of T.H. #47 to four lanes for a minimum of ten years from the adoption of this study, and that it will not pursue the completion of 149th Avenue to Sunwood Drive within this same period. This provides these residents with a date, which they requested. It also resolves their concern about the nature of their property being altered due to the construction of Sunwood Drive/149th Avenue. This will not be an unreasonable commitment on the part of the City, as current funding levels make the roadway expansion more likely to occur toward the later portion of the eight to twenty-year period. The Signalization of 142nd Avenue Several comments were received regarding the need to signalize 142nd Avenue and, in general, implement improvements between 142nd Avenue and C.S.A.H. #5 in the short term. The signalization of 142nd was originally proposed in the study and continues to be proposed as a short term improvement scheduled within two years. The City is presently considering an application for a local initiative program with MnDOT for improvements, including the signalization of 142nd Avenue during the summer of 1997. However it must be emphasized that