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