Laserfiche WebLink
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—MARCH 21, 2016 6 <br /> Mayor Grant provided background regarding the 1-694/TH 51 project and said the project did <br /> not include a pedestrian crossing. He stated that Arden Hills appealed the design and that as part <br /> of the process and negotiations, a trail was requested and subsequently created on Lexington <br /> Avenue over I-694. He also stated that the County Road E bridge reconstruction pedestrian <br /> walkway was part of the negotiations as were improvements to the County Road F bridge. <br /> Mayor Grant said that while Arden Hills requested this study, it appeared the scope had changed <br /> greatly. He stated that I-694 is a major barrier because it is a major road and does not offer options <br /> for pedestrian crossings. He asked how the City could make trail connections over 1-694 happen <br /> and appreciated the fact that MnDOT did not have the funding or jurisdiction over such projects. <br /> Sheila Kauppi of MnDOT stated this study was the first of its kind and noted that MnDOT has <br /> limitations as to how they could spend their funding. She stated trunk highway dollars were <br /> assigned to MnDOT owned right-of-way and so it is difficult to build a trail over a county road or <br /> city street. She said that a benefit of the study was that it could aid in the City's solicitation of <br /> funding for improvements along the corridor. <br /> Councilmember Holden stated the original focus was to provide opportunities for residents of <br /> Arden Hills to cross over I-694. <br /> Gina Mitteco stated that MnDOT has a complete streets policy that considers pedestrians and <br /> bicyclists but this does not mean that every project gets a trail. She indicated that given the <br /> barriers along the 1-694 corridor, locations that provide safe crossings with less extensive <br /> infrastructure changes were ideal. <br /> Councilmember Holmes referred to the municipal consent agreement and noted a pedestrian <br /> crossing at Snelling Avenue and 1-694 was not an expectation. She remembers a compromise that <br /> included a crossing at Lexington Avenue. <br /> Gina Mitteco stated that MnDOT has interstates all over the region and there are trail gaps <br /> everywhere. She suggested Cities and Counties initiate funding via grants to aid in financing <br /> construction of pedestrian walkways. <br /> Acting Public Works Director Anderson stated that when the City applies for funding for trails, <br /> the City is scored and receives points based on whether or not the improvements are written into a <br /> long term plan and whether or not we are in agreement with other communities. He said that this <br /> study furthers the City's chance of receiving federal funding. <br /> Mayor Grant said that the Council could review the language in the original agreement and <br /> asked if any action was expected from the Council at that time. <br /> Acting Public Works Director Anderson stated he was simply providing the final study and if <br /> no action was identified or required by MnDOT, they would conclude the study. <br /> D. 2016 PTRC Work Plan and Project Priorities Discussion <br />