6.9. SR 08-16-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION Currendy, the city is undergoing an update of its Comprehensive Plan. The general intent of this Comprehensive Plan is to establish a community-based vision of how the city should grow and look in the future. The transportation plan is generally intended to assist the city in determining what transportation infrastructure the city may need to serve their future vision and to maintain a high level of traffic safety and mobility. It should be noted that the focus of this plan is on the city's roadway system. Eventually, this plan may be expanded to include other modes of travel. In order to help Elk River maintain and plan for a transportation system that provides a high level of traffic safety and mobility, the following methodology was used. First, existing land use and roadway conditions were documented. Of particular focus was the existing level of traffic, quality of tr, affic operations, number of vehicle crashes, and current functional class system. Next, future land use and roadway conditions were examined. Based on future land use and socioeconomic projections found in the comprehensive plan, future traffic levels were forecast and used to estimate the quality of traffic operations. In other words, the level of congestion Elk River may experience in the future was estimated. Future congestion estimates were developed assuming there were no expansions and improvements to the city's current roadway system. Roadway improvement actions were then developed and prioritized based on the congestion, safety, and functional class issues identified. In addition to examining the existing and future roadway conditions within Elk River, a series of roadway planning guidelines were developed. These guidelines are intended to assist the city in providing a high level of traffic safety and mobility on their roadway system. EXISTING CONDITIONS Figure i shows that TH 10 is the only roadway that is currendy identified as congested in the city. Other major roadways such as TH 169 and portions of Jackson Avenue, Twin Lakes Road, and Main Street are identified in the center of the city as approaching congestion. Some key intersections on TH 10 and TH 169 are also shown as approaching congestion. In some cases, the level of intersection congestion on TH 10 is better than the level of congestion for the corresponding road segment. This is because the level of intersection congestion is based on overall delay for all turn movements at these intersections. An examination of the individual turn movements, such as left turns, at these intersections reveals that at least one or more of the individual turn movements operates under more congested conditions. Existing vehicle crash data for major roadways in Elk River was obtained and reviewed. The review of the crash data led to the recommendation that safety improvements for School Street previously identified in an earlier safety study be implemented. It was also recommended that certain intersections and portions of other major roadways such as TH 10, CSAH 1 (Elk Lake Rd), CSAH 13 (Twin Lakes Rd), and CR 33 be studied further to determine if safety improvements are warranted. Elk River August 200t Draft Transportation Plan Update i Howard R. Green Company