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Minutes 05-12-04Richfield Transportation Committee Minutes May 12, 2004 Committee members in attendance: Steve Lindgren(Co-chair); Barbara Kritzman(Co-Chair); Todd Nollenberger; Gary Ness; Maureen Scaglia; William Kilian; Don Anderson; Robert Shotwell; Lezlie Vermillion; and, Council member Susanne Sandahl. Others in attendance: Council member susan Rosenberg; Larry Wozniczka; Elaine Bergquist; Dan Casey; City Staff: Kristin Asher and Tom Foley; Mn/DOT Staff: Tom O’Keefe and John Griffith; Rick Brown of SRF Consulting Group. Steve Lindgren served as Chair for the meeting. W. Killian motioned to approve the agenda, second by T. Nollenberger, passed unanimously. W. Killian motioned to approve April 14, 2004 minutes, passed unanimously. Council Action On Transportation Committee Recommendations S. Lindgren gave a summary of what happened at the City Council meeting on May 11, 2004 regarding the 76th Street Ramp recommendation. S. Sandahl, on behalf of the Council, thanked the Committee members for their efforts in assisting the Council in reaching a decision on the 76th Street Ramp issue. S. Lindgren stated the Committee was open to constructive criticism from residents to improve the public involvement process. L. Vermillion complimented Chris Roy’s (Mn/DOT) involvement in the process as well. Tom O’Keefe thanked the Committee on Chris Roy’s behalf. T. Foley listed the Council’s preferences related to the 18th Avenue connection to Cedar Avenue. Berm curve extended Bike path built Staff is to work with residents on placement of berm vs. fence between homes and 17th Avenue Encourage an HOV Bypass lane to be included on the southbound entrance ramp onto TH 77. W. Killian asked for clarification on the placement of 18th Avenue. T. Foley explained that what has been adopted as the preferred alternative may shift east or west depending on the development going in. There is at least one year to come to a final placement of the intersection, otherwise the developer will be responsible for any additional costs to move the intersection. The 66th Street Interchange Project is scheduled to be let in Spring 2005 and completed by December 2005. The new runway will be operational in January 2006. I-35W/TH 62 Crosstown Design Presentation T. O’Keefe discussed the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Study that will be completed in December 2004. The preferred lane configuration is a left-hand diamond lane with an enforcement shoulder. This recommendation is consistent with the design proposed for the 35W/Highway 62 Crosstown Commons Project. B. Shotwell asked why there was no direct access to the HOV lane. T. O’Keefe explained the ROW and funding limitations involved in that decision. J. Griffith offered background information on the Crosstown project. R. Brown of SRF presented some history of the project, the process that lead to the current plan, and explained the plan that was submitted for municipal consent. He also showed an animation of the project. Total project cost is currently at $208 million. G. Ness asked how land can be replaced at Madison Park. W. Killian asked if there existed an opportunity to speed up the expected four-year construction timeline. T. O’Keefe explained it was not likely, but that Mn/DOT officials will be meeting with experts soon to address that specific topic. Lyndale Bridge Timeline K. Asher briefed the Committee on the Lyndale Bridge timeline. The following milestones were conveyed. Spring 2006 – Start construction on frontage roads, storm sewer, widening of 494 January 2007 – Close Lyndale Avenue and remove old bridge November 2007 – Re-open bridge Spring 2008 – Perform finishing touches K. Asher also explained that the only way this timeline can be met is if there is an approved Mn/DOT plan by September 2004. Discussion followed by the Committee regarding the delay of the project and the potential of overlap with the Crosstown. S. Lindgren requested a timeline of all City projects shown on a map for Committee members. Stop Sign Policy Review T. Foley gave an overview of the City’s current Stop Sign Policy and practices for local, low volume, residential streets. The question presented to the Committee was if they would consider recommending changing the current policy. S. Lindgren questioned if this was something the Committee wanted to take on and whether or not it was Council directed. T. Nollenberger commented on 73rd Street and the inconsistency in stop sign usage on either side of Lyndale Avenue (freeflow vs. uncontrolled). S. Sandahl commented that the policy issue would have been directed to the Committee from the Council. W. Killian felt it was important to define a saturation point regarding the stop signs. If some defined percentage of stop sign placement is reached, people expect that if they don’t have to stop the other direction does. L. Vermillion stated that if there gets to be too many signs drivers ignore them. More discussion followed, it was decided to wait until 2003 crash data was available regarding basket weave areas before the Committee would review the policy. City staff was asked to present before and after crash data for the area north of the Best Buy Campus. Residents have found few problems with Best Buy traffic cutting through their neighborhood. Request for Cable TV Interview W. Killian and T. Foley were selected to handle the interview request. S. Lindgren proposed keeping them as the spokespersons for the Committee if any future requests present themselves. Next Month’s Agenda S. Sandahl asked that the planning exercise include bike/pedestrian trails as a work item. Other Business S. Lindgren requests timelines for construction projects within and around the City so the Committee is informed. When available, the detour and landscaping plans of the 7600 block of Lyndale will be shared with the Committee and citizens in the neighborhood. W. Killian moved to adjourn, D. Anderson seconded. Meeting was adjourned a 9:05 pm.