Minutes 07-07-03Richfield Transportation Committee
Minutes
July 7, 2003
Committee members in attendance: Barb Kritzman (Co-chair), Leslie Vermillion, Bob Shotwell, Bob Elliott, Todd Nollenberger, Gary Ness, John Bjostad, Bill Kilian, Scott Pawelko, Suzanne
Sandahl.
Others in attendance: Ray and Judy Goebel, Bill and Lois Andersen, Larry Wozniczka. Richfield staff: James Olson, Tom Foley and Mike Eastling. MnDOT staff: Alana Getty and Chris Roy.
URS staff: Walter Marusenko and Joe Southward. WSB staff: Tony Heppelmann.
Barb Kritzman served as Chair for the meeting.
Matrix for 76th Street Ramp- Alana Getty presented a table listing possible criteria for the Committee to consider when evaluating alternatives for the 76th Street Ramp. Judy Goebel
suggested adding a factor for pedestrian and bike safety. Scott Pawelko asked for guidance from the City’s Comprehensive Plan to use in developing criteria. Bill Kilian asked for a
factor considering lost tax base. Sue Sandahl asked that the Committee receive transportation policies from the Comp Plan and the Visions 2020 report at the next meeting. MnDOT can
refer to its Transportation Systems Plan. Others asked for the City’s past positions on I-494.
Lyndale Avenue Bridge- Bill Kilian pointed out that few people use 494 eastbound to go north on 35W based on route planning software. He thought access to 35W from Lyndale Avenue is
possible due to low traffic volumes.
Discussion of other changes in access along 494 led Lezlie Vermilion to explain that outer suburbs have interchanges spaced every two miles. In Richfield it’s only 1/2 mile on 494. Chris
Roy agreed and explained that along 494 Penn and Lyndale exits will be only 1 mile apart with a freeway to freeway interchange between them. As a compromise, MnDOT is offering to provide
access to 494 from Penn and Lyndale but insisting that motorists use local streets for access to I-35W at 76th Street and 82nd Street. If Richfield were a new suburb, it would have
interchanges spaced two miles apart.
Resident asked if 76th Street ramp could be an HOV only ramp during rush hour. Chris Roy explained that people would be confused about return trips to the freeway. Barb Kritzman suggested
making the ramp only one-lane wide. Chris explained the ramp metering relies on alternating signals for staggering traffic flow.
76th Street Ramp-Sue Sandahl asked that all Committee members have copies of the maps of all the alternatives. Chris Roy of MnDOT would send the five proposed alternatives being considered
for the 76th St. entrance ramp via e-mail. Jim Olson would send a list of the committee members and their e-mail addresses. Don Anderson does not have e-mail yet.
Bob Shotwell presented his idea for an alternative with a bridge over Girard Avenue. Access to the School of Business would use Humboldt Avenue to 76th Street and then down Emerson Avenue
to the signal at Meridian Crossings (or a new intersection nearby.) Grades and the impact on the Humboldt Avenue storm sewer need to be checked to see if this is feasible.
Alternate Routes if 76th Street Ramp is Closed- Tony Heppelmann of WSB provided two maps showing possible routes for traffic diverted if the ramp is closed. The maps need to show traffic
using Lake Shore Drive to access 35W at 66th Street. The Committee asked to see the affects of other proposed changes in access to the freeway system to the city as a whole. Bill Kilian
suggested that the Committee should assure the city has reasonable access to the freeways.
The next Committee meeting will be on August 4, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.
The following meeting would normally fall on Labor Day. The Committee selected Thursday, September 4, 2003 for the regular September meeting. The Sept. 4 meeting will be held at City
Hall at 7:00 p.m.