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• re;g47''-- <br /> •re - Howard R. Green Company <br /> CONSULTING ENGINEERS <br /> October 4, 2000 <br /> File: 810100J-0325 <br /> Ms. Michele McPherson <br /> Director of Planning <br /> City of Elk River <br /> 13065 Orono Parkway <br /> P.O. Box 490 <br /> Elk River, MN 55330-0490 <br /> RE: NEW TH 101 BRIDGE <br /> REQUEST FOR RECREATION LANE <br /> Dear Ms. McPherson: <br /> I have reviewed the letter dated August 26, 2000, from Mr. Greg Strommen, Trail <br /> Coordinator for the River City Snow Riders. Mr. Strommen's letter requests that a <br /> • recreational lane 15 feet in width be added to the design of the new TH 101 bridge <br /> across the Mississippi River. As you are aware from attending the August 21, 2000, <br /> Local Advisory Committee (LAC) meeting held at Otsego City Hall, this issue was <br /> discussed in general terms by MnDOT staff and the consultant they have retained for the <br /> predesign of the new bridge. The plan at this point in time is for a 10-foot wide shoulder <br /> on the north side of the bridge and a 6-foot wide shoulder on the south side of the <br /> bridge. The new bridge is intended to be approximately 52 feet wide versus the current <br /> bridge, which is only 34 feet wide. The shoulder widths mentioned above would replace <br /> current shoulders, which are barely 3 feet wide on both the north and south sides of the <br /> existing bridge. The issue of pedestrian movements across the bridge, whether walking, <br /> cycling, or snowmobiling, was also discussed at the committee meeting. MnDOT was <br /> very clear in that they are not promoting any type of pedestrian movements across the <br /> bridge. The reason for this is twofold. Primarily, they are concerned about the number <br /> of conflicting movements with vehicles entering and exiting from the various highway <br /> legs. Secondly, there are no pedestrian facilities available on either side of the bridge <br /> for cyclists or walkers to use. Perhaps a snowmobiler could cross the bridge and <br /> immediately use the highway ditch on either side. <br /> I concur with MnDOT's logic and position on this issue. With no pedestrian facilities on <br /> either side of the bridge, it would be very difficult to build a 15-foot wide recreational lane <br /> to be used by snowmobilers in the winter and not have it used by walkers or cyclists in <br /> the summer months. The City Administrator of Otsego seemed to also support this <br /> position at the August 21, 2000, LAC meeting. <br /> ID <br /> C:\1326E ergy aark Dflvee:n tFPauIl,MN 551085 651 64414389 4fax 65164r4 94464 toll free 888/368-4389 <br />