3.0. SR 12-13-1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

.. '"' Mr. Leonard W. Levine Mr. Pat Klaers December 8, 1993 Page 2 e District staff concur that it is imperative to protect the integrity of T.R. 169 in order to maintain the mobility that is necessary for a safe and efficient transportation .facility. Recognizing that T.R. 169 is not a freeway and no current plans for upgrading to freeway standards are being considered, it is important to restrict access to where it presently exists. Experience has shown that additional accesses lead to the deterioration of operational characteristics of a roadway and should not be considered a remedy to alleviate congestion or safety concerns. Concurrent with our position of protecting the T.R. 169 integrity, we also recognize the needs of the surrounding communities such as Elk River in providing adequate and satisfactory access to the trunk highway to encourage economic vitality. We believe this can be accomplished without creating additional intersections. Through incorporation of appropriate engineering roadway enhancements, development can occur without prematurely causing degradation of highway operations. In particular, the LOS at the intersection of T.R. 169 and School Street can be protected by adding dual left turn lanes on T.R. 169, as well as on the School Street approach, if traffic volumes justify them. Additional lanes of approach and other geometric improvements to School Street should also be considered to protect intersection operation and overall principal arterial integrity. Synchronization of signal systems on the principal arterial as well as on intersecting streets will assist in minimizing impacts from commercial traffic generators and anticipated normal traffic increases. e Long range transportation and economic planning for the immediate area surrounding T.R. 169 from the T.R. 10 interchange and north may need to consider. an additional through lane on T. R. 169. This addition will improve the LOS at School Street significantly as well as address the need to protect and improve the Main Street and Jackson Avenue operational characteristics. The District suggests that enhancements be phased in as economics allow. The less costly improvements . should be considered first and more intensive expansions such as an additional through lane on T. R. 169 be incorporated later. As traffic volumes increase and as development occurs, the District will investigate highway needs and discuss potential improvements with the City. e