03-05-2007 DTMIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Downtown Redevelopment Plan Task Force Minutes Page 3 March 5, 2007 ------------------------------------------  The Tinklenberg Group will submit a 3rd request for $500,000 of Federal funding to further analyze Hwy 10 through the downtown area.  Terry Humbert, MnDOT Project Manager for Hwy 10 has indicated that there is no funding in MnDOT’s 30 yr. plan for Hwy 10 downtown.  Scott Bradley, MnDOT Chief Landscape Architect stated that it would be Terry Humbert’s decision whether or not to bring the Context Sensitive Design group at MnDOT into Elk River to enhance Hwy 10 improvements. (Mr. Maurer suggested that this may be an option if the $500,000 of Federal funding was awarded to further study Hwy 10 downtown.) Member Holme asked if traffic issues along Hwy 10 downtown are going to get worse within the next fifteen years if nothing is done. Mr. Maurer stated “yes” according to MnDOT’s projections. He expanded with the following:  There is no funding available for thirty years; however MnDOT’s 30-year plan may change.  MnDOT will likely fund improvements in the Anoka/Ramsey area prior to funding improvements to Hwy 10 downtown.  MnDOT District 3 will fund Hwy 169 projects prior than Hwy 10 projects. Member Dana Anderson asked Mr. Maurer if safety issues would motivate MnDOT to make improvements to the highway even though the Level of Service would still be rated an “F.” Mr. Maurer stated that most reported deaths occur on 2-lane undivided highways and Highways 10 and 169 are considered relatively safe highways. Conceptual Options For the purposes of Task Force policy discussions, Mr. Maurer provided an overview of the following four conceptual options:  Lower highway  Elevate highway  Eliminate one intersection  Do nothing Mr. Maurer expanded on the “eliminate one intersection” option explaining that this option may be the fastest way to improve traffic since eliminating an intersection is more cost effective than lowering or elevating a highway. Planner Chris Leeseberg presented animated images of how Hwy 10 would appear to travelers both from a lowered and elevated perspective. He also presented a still image of how local traffic may be realigned if one intersection in the downtown area were to be eliminated. He used the example of eliminating the Main Street/Hwy 10 intersection. He reiterated that the images were concepts, not designs. Member Lindberg asked how long the construction of an elevated Hwy would last. Mr. Maurer stated that he couldn’t say for sure since the area is so confined but that it would more than likely last for an entire construction season. Member Holme asked if there is enough Right of Way to elevate or lower the highway. Mr. Maurer stated “yes” especially if MnDOT eliminates several access points to allow for six lanes of traffic.