05-27-14 Special WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—MAY 27, 2014 2 Councilmember Holden requested information about the current capacity of the bridge and asked if this would change after the interchange work was complete. Ms. Engum explained that the bridge was three lanes at this time and the future bridge would be five lanes wide. Discussion ensued regarding how traffic would flow through the interchange and over the bridge. Mayor Grant questioned where the new bridge would be built. Ms. Engum reported that the new bridge would be built next to the old bridge, similar to the Rice Street/Highway 36 bridge replacement. This would allow the old bridge to remain in service as long as possible. She commented that the alignment would be altered slightly once the new bridge was completed. She indicated that final design plans and staging for the bridge would be completed later this summer. Councilmember Holden questioned if this intersection would be able to handle future traffic levels after TCAAP and the Northwest Quadrant was fully developed. Ms. Engum stated that the diverging diamond would operate better than a standard diamond at full build-out based on the regional model. Mayor Grant suggested that the bridge be made wide enough in the event that I-35W is widened in the future. He asked how the bridge and interchange improvements would be funded. Ms. Engum indicated that the County received $29 million in funding from the State and $12 million from this allocation would be set aside for this interchange. She commented that MnDOT would be contributing another$2.5 million plus $250,000 for signals. Mayor Grant questioned the total expense for this project. Ms. Engum estimated that the project will cost between$14 and 16 million. Councilmember Holmes requested further information on the trail and sidewalk widths to be provided by the County. She questioned if it was necessary to have both a sidewalk and trail over the bridge. Ms. Engum stated that MnDOT would fund one crossing across the bridges. She reported that she did not have all of the information on the sidewalk or trail but would bring this information to the Council when the plans were closer to the final design phase. She indicated that the expense for the sidewalk would be split between the cities of Arden Hills and New Brighton, and MnDOT would pay for the trail. She reported that the County was committed to having both connections. She noted that a good faith estimate would come to the City on June 30th when the City is requested to provide municipal consent. The estimate will provide the Council with a better idea of the City's cost participation. Mayor Grant inquired how traffic would flow through the City when the bridge is closed.