7.1. SR 05-05-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Elk River Comprehensive Plan Transportation has played a key role in how Elk River developed in the past (river, railroad, TH 101, US 10 and US 169) and how it will grow and redevelop in the future. As such, transportation planning and the issues on the transportation network are an important part of the City's Plans. The transportation network has a significant impact on the character, feel and functionality of a community. There is a natural nexus between transportation and land use planning. Neither can be successful without taking the other into account As the city progresses into the future, the needs and demands of the transportation network are changing. What once was an auto -only focus has evolved to include important connections for transit, bicycling and walking. This section of the Comprehensive Plan provides background on basic network information, summarizes studies and analyses that have been completed since the last plan update, (including the Highway 10 and Highway 169 studies of 2010), identifies ongoing issues and concerns, identifies planned improvements and suggests practices that can be used to address future needs. Inventory and Analysis There are four primary systems that comprise the transportation network within the City of Elk River: roadways,freight rail, transit and trails /sidewalks. The sections that follow describe the existing systems and their various components. Roadways This section of the plan describes the existing roadway system within Elk River. 46 / Chapter 6: Transportation System The existing roadway system in Elk River is shown in Figure 6-1: Existing Roadway Network. In a review of the system, it can be noted that there are a limited number of continuous north -south and east -west routes. A majority of the roadways shown on the map primarily serve a development, a neighborhood or a small growth area. The lack of continuous routes can be attributed to a number of factors including: natural and man -made barriers (topography, lakes, rivers, streams, railroad, parks); past development patterns and styles; and ongoing mining activities.