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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – MARCH 21, 2022 5 <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden reported a roundabout cost $1.2 to $1.4 million while a signalized <br />intersection cost $300,000 to $400,000. She asked what share of this project the City would be <br />responsible for. <br /> <br />Mr. Johnson anticipated the City would be responsible for one leg or 25% of the project. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden questioned what other expenses would be included in this project. <br /> <br />Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen explained the City would be completing <br />sanitary sewer and watermain improvements and these costs were included within the CIP. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden inquired how Ramsey County advertised the open house. <br /> <br />SRF Senior Project Manager Stephanie Falkers discussed the social media posts and postcards <br />that were sent to the surrounding area. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden asked if Councilmember Holmes received a postcard from the County, <br />noting she did not. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes stated she received a postcard from the County. <br /> <br />Councilmember Radziej discussed how it would take 41 years to break even between the cost <br />for a traffic signal and a roundabout. <br /> <br />Ramsey County Project Manager Joey Lundquist spoke to the benefits of having a roundabout <br />in place versus a traffic signal which included lower emissions and time delays for users. <br /> <br />Mr. Johnson commented further on the difference between the upfront costs and overall costs for <br />a project. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant stated the transportation issues at this intersection have to be addressed and noted <br />the roundabout was the most efficient manner in which to address these concerns. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden reported the County park near this intersection was heavily utilized. She <br />expressed concern with the fact this project did not include budget from Ramsey County to <br />provide a trail to this park or to slow traffic down in order to allow easier pedestrian access to this <br />park. She feared that it would be more difficult for pedestrians to get to the park with a <br />roundabout than if a traffic signal were installed. <br /> <br />Mr. Johnson indicated this was a difficult question to respond to. He explained an all way stop <br />has traffic increasing their speed quickly after stopping, where roundabouts have a more calming <br />effect on traffic. <br /> <br />Councilmember Scott stated he believed the roundabout was the best alternative at this <br />intersection. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes commented she did not support any change at this intersection. She <br />noted she spoke with the City Engineer and was made aware that MSA funds would be used for <br />this project, which would help with the impact this project would have on the City’s budget. She