02-14-2023 WS City Council Agenda WORK SESSION
RICHFIELD MUNICIPAL CENTER, BARTHOLOMEW ROOM
FEBRUARY 14, 2023
5:45 PM
Call to order
1.Continued discussion on policy framework approach for regional transportation investment projects and evaluate
City support for several proposed Corridors of Commerce project submittals.
Adjournment
Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. Requests must be made at
least 96 hours in advance to the Acting City Clerk at 612-861-97 12.
AGENDA SECTION:Work Session Items
AGENDA ITEM #1.
WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT NO. 04
WORK SESSION
2/14/2023
REPORT PREPARED BY: Matt Hardegger, Transportation Engineer
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR REVIEW: Kristin Asher, Public Works Director
2/8/2023
OTHER DEPARTMENT REVIEW:
CITY MANAGER REVIEW: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager
ITEM FOR WORK SESSION:
Continued discussion on policy framework approach for regional transportation investment projects
and evaluate City support for several proposed Corridors of Commerce project submittals.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This work session will provide an opportunity for additional comments and reactions to the draft
policy framework with some discussion, however, the pressing discussion will focus mainly on
several Corridor of Commerce projects that will be on the February 28, 2023 Regular City Council
Agenda for consideration of support.
Regional Transportation Investments Framework
The Regional Transportation Investments Framework will be used as projects are proposed in and around
Richfield. The current draft (attached) reflects comments received and discussion items noted during the
February 1, 2023 joint Transportation Commission and City Council work session. The consensus was for the
policy to guide the City's cooperation as a regional partner, keeping Richfield's interest in the forefront. The
policy will best serve the community by remaining flexible with key components focusing on meeting goals in
Richfield's planning documents, improving the quality of life for Richfield residents, and minimizing any
negative impacts to the community.
Discussion Items
Future Transit on I-494
Staff inquired with Metro Transit about plans for transit along the 494 corridor after the construction of EZ-
Pass lanes. Metro Transit currently does not have transit on 494 and has no plans for transit on 494, however,
Southwest Transit operates their SW Prime airport service on 494 and has used 494 for routes in the past.
The EZ-Pass lanes will also provide a benefit to hotel shuttles, taxis, Jefferson Lines intercity buses, and
charter buses traveling to and from MSP Airport or Mall of America. The primary local transit benefit of the
project is to bring drivers currently using local roadways to avoid highway congestion back onto 494,
improving service for the D Line and other local transit routes.
Induced Demand
Staff recognizes that induced demand is a consideration in any freeway expansion project. Staff’s
perspective is that induced demand occurs when roadway capacity exceeds existing demand, creating
shorter travel times on the freeway system, encouraging additional trips from people who may not have
otherwise made a trip. I n this spec ific instance, staff does not believe that construction of E Z-P ass lanes east
of I -35W to Hwy 77 would c reate that exc ess capacity in the 494 c orridor, as traffic modeling for the projects
does not indic ate better level of service at peak hours. Furthermore, consideration should be given to the
proximity to the MS P Airport and employ ment center near the Mall of A merica, as well as the how this stretch
of interstate serves 84 of 87 counties in the state on a daily basis, including Richfield residents.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Staff is still awaiting results of MnD OT’s analysis of the corridors of c ommerce project applications for
Greenhouse Gas Emission impacts. Results will be shared at the work session, if available.
Corridors of Commerce Projects
City of Bloomington - I -494 railroad bridge at Pleasant Ave and 82nd Street interchange at I -35W
This projec t c ompletes two goals of the approved 494 Vision: reconstruction of the 82nd Street interc hange on
35W and reconstruction of the railroad bridge over 494 at Pleasant Ave. I t is necessary to recognize the
importance of the 82nd Street interchange for the City of Bloomington’s local plans and that this project is a
critical element that is necessary to accommodate the changes caused by the upcoming 494 Project 1. The
railroad bridge over 494 was constructed in 1959 and was most recently inspected in 2022 by MnD OT. The
superstructure was deemed to be in “fair” condition and the bridge was determined to be “not defic ient” on
their report, but re-construction of the bridge is nec essary for the 494 Commission E Z-Pass lane project from
35W to Hwy 77.
494 Corridor Commission – E Z-PA S S lanes on 494 between I -35W and Hwy 77
This projec t completes two goals of the 494 Vision: E B E Z-Pass lane from 35W to Hwy 77 and W B E Z-Pass
lane from 35W to Hwy 77. This projec t would complete the E Z-Pass lanes begun during 494 Project 1 (Hwy
169 to 35W ) and would require the reconstruction of the railroad bridge at Pleasant Ave to be constructed as
proposed by the City of Bloomington above. Traffic analysis has shown that 494 Projec t 1 will result in
negative impacts to freeway operations east of 35W until the future addition of these proposed E Z-Pass
lanes.
City of Richfield – Auxiliary lanes on Hwy 62 from Portland Ave to Cedar Ave
This projec t would add an auxiliary lane on E B Hwy 62 from Portland Ave to Hwy 77 and a northbound
deceleration lane on Hwy 77. The W B Hwy 62 to S B Hwy 77 loop would be removed, and replaced by a
controlled intersection north of the interchange. The 14th Ave pedestrian bridge would be replaced by an
A D A-compliant pedestrian/bic yc le bridge at 12th Ave. Noise walls would also be added to both the north and
south sides of Hwy 62 from 11th Ave to Bloomington Ave. Staff recommends support of this projec t as it
intends to reduc e traffic volumes on local roadways (specifically Portland Ave and 66th Street) by retaining
more eastbound traffic on Hwy 62, replac es an out of date regional pedestrian connec tion, and provides
sound barriers along the freeway.
D IRE C T I O N NE E D E D:
1. Additional fe edback and/or preliminary acce ptance of the rev ise d Regional Transportation
Inv estments Frame work.
2. Questions/discussion with City Council members present focusing on the three Corridors of
Commerce projects that will be considered at the February 28, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting.
B AC K G RO UND INF O RM AT I O N:
A.H IS TOR IC AL C ON T E X T
The I -494 Vision is a long range plan for the I -494 Corridor developed by MnD OT, in cooperation with
local agencies and elected officials through a Technical Advisory Committee and a Policy Advisory
Committee (PA C). Those committee's contributed to the I -494 Vision development and the PA C
approved the long-term vision in September of 2021.
B.P OL IC IE S (resolutions, ordinances, regulations, statutes, etc):
Resolutions of support are being requested from Council on each of the three individual Corridors of
Commerce projects and will be brought forward for consideration at the February 28 City Council
Meeting.
C.C R IT IC AL T IMIN G IS S U E S:
Resolutions of support are due to MnD OT by March 1, 2023.
D.F IN AN C IAL IMPAC T:
None
E.L E GAL C ON S ID E R AT ION:
None
ALTE R N AT IV E(S):
None
P R IN C IPAL PAR TIE S E X P E C TE D AT ME E TIN G:
None
AT TAC H ME N T S:
D escription Type
D raft F ramework E xhibit
Framework ApproachFramework Purpose and NeedThe City of Richfield acknowledges that proposed improvements on the regional system may be an opportunity to provide benefit to the local system, as well as improve livability for all Richfield residents, especially for populations that have traditionally been overlooked with these types of projects.This framework is intended to be a flexible tool for analysis of projects during all stages of development. The detail of analysis will vary throughout project development and outcomes may change.The purpose statement is consistent with the City’s adopted goals and policies found in our 2040 Comprehensive Plan, Pedestrian Plan, and Bicycle Plan.Framework OutcomesThe framework will provide needed flexibility to accomplish the following:1. Evaluate projects on a case-by-case basis to determine their benefits.2. Evaluate projects for their alignment with Richfield Goals and Policies.3. Partner, coordinate and collaborate on projects with local and state agencies.4. Leverage outside funding when appropriate.5. Have a voice to shape projects without limiting ourselves with a policy that narrowly defines the type of projects we support.
Framework ApproachDraft Framework | Consideration FactorsConsideration Factors DescriptionAir Quality ImprovementsAir quality is improved for Richfield residents in close proximity to the project.Cost-Effective (low cost/high benefit)The project is a cost-effective solution that provides safety, congestion, and mobility benefits.Fills a Gap or NeedThe project fills a gap or documented need outlined in (1) local and (2) regional planning documents.FundingThe project aligns with known funding opportunities (e.g., grants). The type of funding may influence when a project is built - shifting its priority. Local Congestion/Mobility ImprovementsThe project will provide congestion relief to the local system. Local Safety BenefitsThe project will help mitigate safety issues and conflicts between users on the local system.Ownership and Major MaintenanceThe City will not take on ownership or major maintenance of regional infrastructure components.Project SupportThe project has received community support (e.g., municipal consent) and/or approval from local, regional, and state agencies.Promotes Multimodal Transportation OptionsThe project helps enhance multimodal transportation options.Reduce InequitiesThe project will help improve the quality of life for underrepresented populations.Reduction Greenhouse Gas EmissionsThe project will provide a net decrease in ongoing greenhouse gas emissions.Property ImpactsThe project uses flexible design practices to eliminate (ideally) or minimize any property impacts, including public park properties.What other consideration factors should we consider?Notes1. Intended to help guide regional transportation investment conversations2. Every project will have its own benefits and tradeoffs3. The factors are directly/indirectly helping address our existing goals and policies4. The framework will be a work in progress