4.11. SR 02-22-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Citizens say four-lane option worth extra money by Jim Boyle Staff writer A plan to keep four lanes opefi during the Highway 101 bridge replacement project drew the most support at an open house last weelc The majority felt it would be worth spending the estimated $100,000 it would cost 'to expand portions of the south- bound bridge over the Mississippi River in Elk River to make room for four lanes -- two southbound and two north- bound. This was the consensus despite the fact the entrance onto southbound Highway 101 and northbound Highway 169 from eastbound Highway 10 would have to be closed. "The consensus of just about everybody who came tonight was if four lanes could be main- tained, that would be great," said Peter Korolchul~ a consul- tant working on behalf of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). "Everybodfs concern was that we were going to eliminate a lane." More study needed MnDOT has not decided what it will do, but it is also interest- ed in the four-lane option. However, more study is needed. It must make sure the neces- sary structural improvements to pull it off are feasible, assess the added cost and analyze traf- fic impact. Engineers will have to study the feasibility of the proposed structural improvements, which would amount to widen- ing two sections of the bridge.' There win be structural and aesthetic questions to answer. Two three-lane options exist If it's not possible, MnDOT might have to look to a three- lane option, which would fea- ture two northbound lanes and one southbound lane. The exit onto northbound Highway 169 from eastbound Highway 10 would have to be closed, but the merge lane for southbound Highway 101 from eastbound Highway 10 could remain open. This option would not require any modifications to the bridge, m_aking it the cheap.est.opti0n.- Highway 101 Bridge Options · Four lane option --Expand portions of the southbound bridge to allow for four lanes -- two southbound and two northbound --during the northbound Highway 101 bridge replacement project. Thb entrances to northbound Highway 169 and southbound Highway 101 from eastbound Highway 10 Would be closed off. · Three-lane option -- Use the current width of the south- bound Highway 101 Bridge to run three lanes --two north- bound and one southbound. The entrance onto southbound Highway 101 from eastbound Highway 10 would be closed. · Three lane option with moveable barrier -- Use the cur- rent width of the southbound Highway 101 bridge for three lanes, always having two lanes for peak travel. This would be accomplished with the use of a moveable barrier that could be moved with heavy machinery. ,Everybody's. concern was that we were going to eliminate a lane.' -Peter Korolchuk. MnDOT consultant Highway 101 bridge would be narrow with the existence of three lanes. MnDOT plans to have more traffic counts done to assess the eastbound Highway 10 traffic before it makes any decisions about the four-lane option. Four-lane option eyed MnDOT officials like the four- lane option so far. They say it will be better to make 600 motorists who take eastbound Highway 10 to Highway 101 and 169 to find an alternative route, rather than delay thou- sands of vehicles using the Highway 101 bridge from Highway 169, 101 and west- bound Highway 10. "Our goal is to limit delay on the main line, so it's not attrac- tive for people to find another route," said one MnDOT official. To spread 600 to 700 cars between Monticello, Parrish Avenue and Highway 169 via a 'U-turn at a stop light along Highway 10 and Highway 169 in Anoka might not make a per- ceptible d_'rfference in traffic Mike Robertson expressed his city's opposition to anything short of having two lanes for peak traffic. Both Otsego and Elk River city councils will draft r&solutions to put their views on paper. Citizen input Citizens who attended last week's open house asked about adding stop lights and finding alternative routes in order to keep access to Highway 101 and Highway 169 from eastbound Highway 10 open. Officials explained that safety issues would arise, and that there are not other ways to re-route the on-ramps. Third option is costly A third option is to make the best use of three lanes with a movable barrier. This option is said to be cost-prohibitive. Under this option a "barrier transfer machine," would move the center barrier twice a day in order to always have two lanes open for peak travel. This option could easily be two times as expensive as the four-lane option, said Korolchuk, of Stanley Consultants. Members of MnDOT and Stanley Consultants will meet to further discuss what they heard at the open house, review the comment cards and addi- tional feedback they will get. Comments still being taken If interested in making verbal or written comments call Chad