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May 19 Virtual Open House: Questions and Comments Received 7 <br />Question: How is the decision that "it may cost too much" made? It seems like proposals that may be <br />different from your proposed are answered as to costly or not practical. Where are you attempting to <br />measure the value to residents who live in the area? <br />Answer: We weigh decisions on cost, mobility, and safety regularly as part of decision-making on projects. Costs <br />are weighed both relative to each other for different alternatives, in this case closing the median or installing a <br />traffic signal, as well as consideration of long term maintenance costs. We also compare costs to our overall <br />program budget. <br />The following items were weighed to propose closing the median instead of other alternatives: <br />• The intersection has had a fatality and has other signs of risk that cause concern for future serious <br />crashes. Closing the intersection is the safest answer when comparing different intersection types. <br />• The alternate route if the median is closed is minimal and convenient for residents, businesses, and <br />emergency services. <br />• The cost of closing the median permanently is small and can be done in combination with an already <br />programmed project. <br />• Intersection types like signals or reduced conflict intersections (RCIs) are more costly both immediately <br />and for long-term maintenance than closing the median. <br />• There are relatively few people using the southbound left turn. Installing a signal here would cause delay <br />to the high number of people heading northbound for the few people taking a southbound left. <br />Additionally, because so few people are taking a southbound left, they are easily handled at the <br />surrounding signals and intersections. <br />Question: A question for Marc Culver, can we get the MSA [MN State Aid] designation removed from Hamline <br />Ave., north of Josephine Rd. with this closure so those tax dollars can be used for actual arterial roads and <br />have those homeowners along that route pay the cost of their road like a regular residential street? <br />Answer from Marc Culver: Hamline Ave is a County State Aid Highway (CSAH) all the way to Snelling Ave. <br />Ramsey County would have to transfer jurisdiction to the City and then the City would have to make a decision <br />about whether to designate it as a Municipal State Aid Route or not. In that circumstance, given the amount of <br />traffic on the roadway, even with the median closure, Hamline Ave would still operate as a Major Collector and <br />it would likely be in the best financial interest of the City to designate it as a MSA Route. However, there has <br />been no indication from the County that they would transfer the jurisdiction of this roadway to the City. <br />Attendee comments received during on May 19 virtual open house <br />1. Traffic on Old Snelling was never supposed to be able to turn onto Hamline Ave. once the left hand turn <br />from northbound Snelling was eliminated at this area. <br />2. The increase in traffic on Hamline Ave would pose a danger to Lake Josephine walkers, that only can <br />walk on the shoulder. <br />3. I am one of those making the u turn or a right turn on Glenhill, u turn, then through the intersection. I <br />have no intention to stop making that turn unless they eliminate the hard turn arrows on Snelling, <br />especially at 3am. <br />4. We have not witnessed an increase in the left turn light at Lydia.