3D, US 10 Highway 96 Interchange Improvements – Municipal Cons

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCiL — July, 1 l, 20i � S 6_A_ Highway 96/TH 10 Inte�•stute Pt-ojecl— Publie Hearing (continued) the City a copy af the sta�'f appro�ed layout for the proposed improvernent_ Accordi�g to the MnIDOT Mur�zcipat Consent guide_ the City must ho�d a pubiic hearing on t�e �inal layou� �or the purpose of considering granting M�znicipal Consent. State Statute req�ires Municipal Consent beeause che project alters access_ After the conclusior� of t�e public hear�ng, the Council has 90 days to ta�Ce action on the request fo�- Mu�icigal Consent. The Council has three options: approve Municipa� Co�sent, disapprove M�nici�al Consent, or disappz-ove Munici�al Consent with conditians_ If the Council takes na action within 90 days after the public hearing, Municipal Consent is deemed to be granted. Mr. Jim Tofaas, Directar and County Enbi�eer, Ramsey County D�partment of Public Works, expiained that the �olume of traif�c per day entez-ing the Highway I d/Hi��way 96 intersect�an area was 58,60� �ehicles in 2005 ant� is projected to be over 80,OQ0 by 20;0. He autlined the majar features af the pro�eet i�ctuding Highway 9b will be lowered and wili be rovted under Highway 10, ternporary ramps on the north side of Highway 96 wili provide access to and fro� the north, Highway 9b wi13 be reconstructed as a foe�r-]ane roadway, Prior Avenue will be reaiigned to �ine up with Round Lake Boule�Tard. new traffic signa�s will be installed at Round Lake Bouievard/Prior Avenue and at the southbou��d Highway 10 ramp at Highway 96, a mu�ti-t�se trail wiIl be bui}t on the south side oi Hi�hway 96, a sidewalk will be �uiit on t�re nor�h side of Highway 9b, existing aec�sses aioi�a Hig�tw�ay l0 wi�l remain in place, and there is flexibi�ity in t�e road design to accor�-�modate a va�iety af �ses when TCAAP redevelo�s. He clar�fied that the project is being coordinated witl� the imp�-a�=ements that are being planned for I-694 west of Lexingtan Avenue. He added thai e�en though the surface of Highway 10 will change, it is not a long-term noise abaternent solution. Councilmember Holrnes stated that it w�ou3d be safe €or people riding their bi�Ces to cross at the light on Highway 96 and the irai3 and sidewalk would be sa�e. Mr. Tolaas, stated the intersection would be equipped with the newest ADA equipment for pedestrian access_ There will be bicurninous sur�ace traii on the south side of Highway 96 that w�il go to tk�e regior�al trail in W�ite Bear Lake, a�d a concrete sidewalk an the norih side_ Bicyeles ean travel a�ong the siciewalk �ut at a slower speec� than they would be able to o� a trail. Cauncilrnert�ber Holden asked if there were any trails planned from Round Lake Road to I-35W. Mr. Tolaas stated tk�e struct�tre at i-35 W is not adeguate to aliow for t�e extension of the trail frorn Highway 95 io Round Lake Road. If a r�ew st�-ucture is put in place, t�e trail will likely be exte�dec�. At this time there are pIans for recfecking this st�-ucture and aligning the Ianes to �nake them narrower to aIlow for one additional east bour�d lane. Councilmember Holden� stated the addition af a�ane and not widening the bridge would put r�zore pz-essure on pedestrians trying to cross at this location_ Mr. Talaas clari�eci the realignment of the ianes woutd not change the outside lanes where the pedestrians curre�tly cross.