5.2. SR 08-08-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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i~ i~ 21. Traffic. Parking spaces added Not Necessary for AUAR .Existing spaces (if ' project involves expansion) NA . Estimated maximum peak hour traffic generated (if known) and time of occurrence See Table 21-3 ' Provide an estimate of the impact on traffic congestion on affected roads and describe any traffic improvements necessary. If the project is within the Twin Cities metropolitan area, discuss its impact on the regional transportation system. Background The 171St Avenue study area is approximately 253 acres located in the southeast portion of Elk River. The study area is bound by the Mississippi River to the west ' with State Trunk Highway (TH) 10/169 bisecting the study area running parallel to the river. A mixture of office and industrial land uses run along the northern edge of the study area with high and low density housing and parkland to the northeast. The majority of the land to the east and south of the project area is owned by Cargill Corporation and GRE, of which about half of the land is currently utilized as agricultural research. The remaining land area is comprised of wetlands. The BNSF rail line borders the study area extending from the northwest to the southeast and carries a large number of heavy rail trains each day in addition to Northstar commuter trains. A Northstar station is located to the north of the study area and is located approximately two miles southeast of Downtown Elk River. The following three future land use scenarios are under consideration for the 171St Avenue AUAR area: • Scenario 1: 2004 Comprehensive Plan Future Lane Use Scenario • Scenario 2: Focused Area Study (FAST) Lower Impact Concept • Scenario 3: FAST Higher Impact Concept ' Each development scenario contains a mixture of residential and commercial uses as well as a transit center and open space as outlined in the Scenario memo dated ' May 20, 2011. Future land development will have a significant impact on the operations of intersections in the project area. Increased trips from future development scenarios will be used to forecast future traffic volumes and evaluate ' traffic operations on the roadway system within the study area. Data Collection and Assumptions ' Eight key intersections were identified for the existing conditions analysis for the 171St Avenue study area. AM and PM peak hours were used as the critical periods for the traffic analysis. Peak hour vehicle counts were obtained at the key ' intersections in May 2011. These counts are attached. Current signal timing at the US 10 and 171St Avenue intersection was obtained from Mn/DOT. The eight key intersections include: City of Elk River Draft Alternative Urban Areawide Review July 2011 Page SS of 84