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97-8439r 14 RESOLUTION NO. 8439 RESOLUTION COMMENTING ON THE ADDENDUM TO THE JANUARY 1995 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR EXTENDING THE HOV LANE ON 1-35W FROM 1-494 TO 42ND STREET IN MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA WHEREAS, an addendum has been issued by the Minnesota Department of Transportation to the January 1995 Final Environmental Impact Statement for extending the high occupancy vehicle lane on 1-35W from 1-494 to 42nd Street in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and WHEREAS, comments on the addendum to the final environmental impact statement have been requested by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Richfield that: 1. The addendum adequately addresses the environmental impacts of building the high occupancy vehicle lane project. 2. The negative impacts of the proposed improvement are less than those identified for the preferred alternative with the exception of providing adequate capacity on the regional highway network to protect local streets from being used by regional trips. 3. The amount of right of way needed in Richfield for the project is greatly reduced from the level identified for the preferred alternative in the January 1995 Final Environmental Impact Statement. 4. There may be a need for MnDOT to acquire additional right of way in Richfield that is not apparent at this time. The additional space may be required as part of the constructability of the roadway to create adequate slopes, arrange construction staging and provide cost effective design. 5. The addendum responds to requests from local businesses to retain eastbound access on Trunk Highway 62 to Lyndale Avenue. 6. The addendum addresses stormwater drainage and treatment issues for Legion Lake, Richfield Lake and Wood Lake. It also provides the City of Richfield the opportunity to explore redevelopment possibilities in the area of Richfield Lake. 7. The addendum discusses the need for improvements to local streets where they intersect with 1-35W such as Lyndale Avenue and 66th Street. 8. The noise analysis indicates the possible need for noise walls on the west side of 1-35W in the area of Wood Lake. The City of Richfield is concerned that any noise walls or retaining walls are sensitively designed to blend into the community. Resolution No. 8439 -2- 9. The proposal provides for a transit component with the provision of a high occupancy vehicle lane. 10. The proposal can further enhance transit in the 1-35W corridor by promoting a high speed bus service and by considering adding a bus stop in the area of the 62 Crosstown Commons. 11. The design of freeway crossings should provide for pedestrians and bicyclists and need to improve existing pedestrian/bike crossings at 76th and 73rd Streets, including consideration of Americans with Disabilities Act compliance. 12. The extension of the high occupancy vehicle lane from 1-494 will add great urgency to reconstructing the 1-494/1-35W interchange. Adopted by the City Council of the City of Richfield, Minnesota this 27th day of January, 1997. 0~W Martin J. Kirsc, ayor ATTEST: 'iI~ PO~ - Thomas P. Ferber, City Clerk