4.1 DRAFT MINUTES 04-15-2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes March 18, 2024 Page 6 of 9 Mr. Femrite explained the long-term vision of the 169 corridor and referred to a 2008-2012 study both from the EAW and Geometric Alignment that was done for the Highway 169 corridor from the Mississippi River/Highway 10 1 /Highway 10 to the interchange in Zimmerman. That study called for ultimate improvements along the Hwy 169 corridor to go to freeway style, where all the at - grade intersecting points would be eliminated and would change to access controls to future interchanges. The future interchange location identified in that study in the northern part of Elk River would put it just south of 225th Avenue more closely located to 221 st Avenue which would then include and require connections for frontage road improvements through the general mining area and once those mining areas are reclaimed the system of local roadway would get reconstructed. MnDOT has further reviewed the existing configuration in this location and committed to a safety audit of these connections in this part of the corridor as a starting point. Mr. Femrite further stated that it is within the local governing body to be able to support MnDOT and push for more funding and MnDOT's controls to improve the safety of the corridor. There is little we can do on the local level to fund the level of full interchanges and bear the costs. We need to look to our federal and state partners to put more money towards those programs. Mayor Dietz asked in order for change to happen would it have to rise up on MnDOT's Radar somehow and if so inquired how that could be done. He further asked do they have a plan in place and a time frame. Mr. Femrite responded that it is in the planning document that guides future decisions. There are a lot of economics around it and it is hard to say when it would be ready. Councilmember Grupa asked if there is anything that can be done in the meantime. Mr. Femrite answered that would be part of the safety audit for MnDOT to identify what could be done now. Todd Curtis, 10988 235th Ave NW, noted he had a conversation with MnDOT they stated they would probably not support a J-turn but possibly install an acceleration lane and a cable barrier north of the landfill. Mr. Curtis also expressed his safety concerns and concerns regarding the fast speed of traffic. Martin Loso,1 1 125 233rd Ave NW, is concerned regarding the road's decline as it approaches 225th. He stated when going westbound from 225th it is a steep slope and is dangerous especially in slippery conditions. Ben Fisher, 1 1 139 235th Ave NW, father of the child who passed away in the recent car accident at this intersection suggested Waste Management change their entry/exit access point to the landfill from that intersection. He expressed concerns regarding going southbound from that intersection especially with a lot of commercial and ERX traffic, noting there is not a good way for traffic to travel southbound from the intersection. Mayor Dietz stated the landfill will be closed by the end of 2030 and he is not sure if they would do anything regarding their traffic. Councilmember Westgaard asked if about Waste Management's long-term plans regarding the Livonia Township site and whether they intend to still use this access point. Mayor Dietz asked staff to talk with Waste Management and Livonia Township about the landfill Page 8 of 201