5.3. SR 11-16-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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An. effective, long-term, coordinated response to congestion will require a commitment by affected governmental units to implement strategies that provide alternative modes of travel. Such alternative modes as transit, while encouraging behavioral and land use changes can result in fewer vehicle trips and strategies which better utilize the existing capacity of the corridor transportation system. All parties have acknowledged that transportation is fundamental to the long-term viability of the corridor. The Northstar Corridor MIS offers the first coordinated opportunity to systematically identify transportation improvements that address development, congestion, mobility, safety, and environmental issues in a cost-effective manner. S.4 POPULATION AND EMPLOYMENT The need for increased transportation options in the region stems, in part, from population and employment growth along the corridor. Over the past twenty years, the Northstar Corridor has experienced substantial population and employment growth. Between 1980 and 1995 all of the counties in the study area have had significant population growth. From 1990 to 1995 the increase in the counties' population ranged from 2.2 to 4.1 percent. Over the next 25 years, it is projected that the county populations will continue to grow, although at a slower rate than in the past 15 years. Employment in the study area also has continued to rise in this same time period. The two major employment centers in the corridor are St. Cloud and the Twin Cities. Although the Twin Cities is the major employment center for the corridor, according to the Minnesota Department of Economic Security, the greatest percentage of employment growth has occurred in Sherburne and Steams Counties. A commuter survey in 1990 indicates that 40 percent of Elk river residents commute to the Twin Cities. S.5 TRANSPORTATION The major east-west roadways between the Twin Cities and St. Cloud are TH 10 and 1-94.1-94 is used more where Mississippi River bridge crossings are located and where TH 10 becomes more congested in southeastern Sherburne County and southwestern Anoka County. The Twin Cities 1990 Travel Behavior Inventory (TBI) conducted by the Metropolitan Council, shows an increase in commuting from one jurisdiction to another. Between 1970 and 1990, the number of trips that were destined to Minneapolis rose 22 percent, to Saint Paul by 27 percent, and to the remainder of the Twin Cities region by 104 percent. Additionally, the external survey completed as part of the Twin Cities 1990 TBI revealed that the most heavily traveled corridors leaving the metropolitan area were in the northwest portion of the Twin Cities. Of the 328,460 vehicles entering or leaving the Twin Cities every day, there were over 113,000 daily vehicle trips in the northwest area of the metropolitan region. In May of 1982, the Saint Cloud Area Planning Organization and Mn/DOT completed a study entitled, St. Cloud-Twin Cities Passenger Rail Service: A Feasibility Study, as directed by the State legislature. As a result of this study, the number of existing and future vehicle trips between the St. Cloud and Twin Cities metropolitan areas was estimated with the roadways they use identified. Northstar Corridor Major Investment Study Section 1 - Summary 10-28-98 S-4