5.13. SR 11-15-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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w BENSHOOF & ASSOCIATES, INC. TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERS AND PLANNERS 10417 EXCELSIOR BOULEVARD, SUITE TWO / HOPKINS, MN 55343/ (952) 238-1667/ FAX (952) 238-1671 September 13, 2004 Refer to File: 04-56 i.._~ i UJ\1EMORANDUM tJ \) 1::: F\ TO: lUre ;~"~C~ FROM: Ronald Dokken, McCombs Frank Roos Associates, Inc. Fy'l ~ <9 Edward F. Ternaar and Aravind Gottemukk'ula RE: Traffic Study for Proposed Wal-Mart Expansion in Elk River PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND This memorandum is to present the results of our traffic study for the proposed expansion of an existing Wal-Mart store in Elk River. This store is located on the east side ofZane Avenue as shown in Figure I. Our traffic study addressed the impacts of the proposed expansion at the following two intersections during the p.m. peak hour on a typical weekday: a) TH l69/Main Street and b) Main Street/Zane Avenue. Proposed Development Characteristics The proposed expansion will enlarge the size of the existing 140,991 SF (square feet) Wal- Mart store to 210,662 SF. The current site plan includes a third new driveway on Zane Avenue at the north edge of the Wal-Mart parking lot. This third driveway will be opposite an existing driveway that serves development on the west side ofZane Avenue. The proposed expansion is expected to be complete in 2006. Consistent with normal practice, we completed traffic forecasts and analyses for one year after full completion of the proposed expansion, i.e. 2007. EXISTING CONDITIONS The intersection of TH 169 and Main Street presently provides two left turn lanes, two through lanes, and one right turn lane on all approaches. This intersection presently is controlled by a traffic signal. The Main Street/Zane Avenue intersection is also controlled by a traffic signal and presently provides one left turn lane, two through lanes, and one right turn lane on the west approach, one left turn lane, one through lane, and one shared through/right turn lane on the east approach, two left turn lanes and one shared through/right turn lane on the south approach and one left turn lane and one shared through/right turn lane on the north approach. To better understand existing traffic conditions, we performed turning movement counts at the Main Street/Zane Avenue intersection and at the site driveways on Zane Avenue during the p.m. peak hour on a typical weekday. For the TH 169IMain Street intersection, we used traffic counts that were completed at this intersection earlier this year. Existing volumes at the subject intersections are presented later in this memorandum.