03-21-16 Joint WS with PTRC - Laserfiche WebLink

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I-694 NON-MOTORIZED CROSSING STUDY PAGE 3 The I-694 / 10 / 51 interchange project generated extensive discussion about how to move pedestrians and bicyclists across I-694 at TH 51. Many stakeholders saw this as an important opportunity for a new connection for pedestrian and bicycle access to destinations such as Bethel University, Valentine Lake, and major employers in the area. However, integrating a trail with an interchange connecting an expressway and a freeway posed design challenges and raised significant safety concerns. The most challenging issue was determining how a trail could cross the free-flowing interchange movements between I-694 and TH 51 in a manner that was safe for trail users of varying ages and abilities. High traffic volumes on TH 51 (approximately 33,000 vehicles per day), and a 55 mile per hour speed limit would also inevitably create an unpleasant biking and walking environment for a trail adjacent to the highway. There were also questions about the potential for broader connectivity along this route since there are not existing trail facilities along TH 51 and the existing railroad bridge south of I-694 is not currently wide enough to fit a trail underneath. Bethel University, the major private land holder in the area, also expressed some concern about constructing a public trail through this property. Due to these challenging circumstances, it was decided that the I-694/TH 51 interchange could not provide a safe or comfortable environment for pedestrians and bicyclists of all abilities and a separate trail was not included in the project design. Figure 2: North Central Project Illustration