7.4. SR 03-17-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. � 11' Elk Elk River Comp ehensive Plan River Issues and Opportunities The previous section of this chapter provided an overall description of the transportation network as it exists today. This section identifies the various issues associated with the network and identifies opportunities for addressing concerns. A number of issues and concerns related to roadways were identified as part of this planning process. Concerns noted as part of this process and as part of the previous plan are described below along with opportunities to address the concern. Final recommendations or policies that have been adopted through previous studies have more detail in the Future Improvements section. Congestion on MnDOT Roadways intent of these improvements is to make the roadways Congestion continues to be a problem on US 10 and less congested, to develop supporting frontage/ US 169, especially during peak travel periods and backage roads for local trips and to improve safety during the weekend. Both US 10 and US 169 link the by eliminating or improving the existing at-grade Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota. As such, there is intersections and driveways. commuter, freight and recreational traffic using these Along with proposed improvements identified for US roadways on a regular basis. This mix of traffic can also contribute to the congestion experienced by users. 10 and US 169, the City of Elk River and Sherburne County have the opportunity to develop or preserve US 10 and US 169 are both principal arterials that local north-south and east-west corridors. provide continuous travel flow. US 10 is an east- west route and US 169/TH 101 is a north-south route. These routes are part of a limited number of Traffic Diversion through arterial facilities that provide a continuous connection. Because there are few alternatives, traffic will Neighborhoods continue to primarily use these routes to get through Residents are concerned that as MnDOT roadways the area. Additionally, because there are few become more congested, motorists will look for alternatives to these routes, local residents/businesses alternative routes that take them out of the congestion are also required to use these routes for short trips or and keep them moving — even if it is a less direct to use circuitous routes through local streets. route. However, a majority of the through traffic MnDOT has recognized the problems on both US 10 (traffic not destined to stop in Elk River) is not likely and US 169 for well over a decade. Serious efforts to divert to other roadways unless it is a county road were initiated to identify improvements on both the simply due to the existing roadway network. Because corridors in the early 2000s. The City of Elk River of the way Elk River has developed, in small sections and Sherburne County were a part of those efforts. at a time and in a more rural style, there are very few Generalized concepts suggested that these roadways continuous north-south and east-west routes that eventually be converted to freeway facilities to have been developed, and even fewer are owned by accommodate projected traffic demands. Interim the city. The few continuous routes that exist are improvements in some locations were also identified. generally state or county roadways which are intended Following the completion of the generalized plans, to accommodate heavier traffic volumes. While this MnDOT, the City and the County, along with input does not mean that residential areas are not disturbed from property owners and stakeholders, developed by traffic, there are few city streets that are going to specific improvements for the corridors that were experience major traffic flows from through traffic as documented in two environmental assessments. The a result of congested MnDOT roads. Chapter 6: Transportation / 57