CCP 11-13-1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND - Trunk Highway 96 is an east-west arterial that runs through the communities of New Brighton. Arden Hills, Shoreview, North Oaks, Vadnais Heights, White Bear Township, and White Bear Lake. Figure I shows the existing corridor. Because of the topography and lakes in the area the highway is one of the few routes with continuity between 1-35E and 1-35W from the northern county limits south to 1-694. The highway is functionally designated as an "A" minor arterial which means it is expected to provide for movement of trips within and between subregions. The traffic on Trunk Highway 96 has been increasing due to development within the corridor and the growth in traffic outside the corridor. ."'.Illo For several years the communities along Trunk Highway 96 have felt there is a need to improve the highway. A Trunk Highway 96 Task Force was formed in 1987 to study and evaluate the conditions on Trunk Highway 96 and develop recommendations on improvements needed on the highway. The task force published a report in 1989 with its findings and recommendations. However, because of funding priorities, only limited improvements were made in the corridor. In 1994, the Minnesota Department of Transportation and Ramsey County negotiated the turnback . of Trunk Highway 96 from MnDOT to the County. The turnback includes Highway 96, from Highway 61 in White Bear Lake to Old State Trunk Highway 8 in New Brighton. As a result of the tumback, tumback funds are now available to make improvements to Highway 96 (County Road G). The tumback funds are specifically designated gas tax funds that can be used for upgrading of roadways that are tumed back from the state to other units of government. The design for the section of Highway 96 from Highway 61 to White Bear Parkway has been completed and construction began on the first segment in the summer of 1995. I HIGHWAY 96 TASK FORCE In the fall of 1994, Ramsey County convened a new task force to identify issues and develop - . recommendations for the remaining sections of Highway 96. This Task Force is made up of 3 representatives from each affected community. The representatives from each community include - a business representative, a citizen representative, and a city staff representative. The Task Force II members are identified on the inside cover of this report. - The Highway 96 Task Force was charged with making recommendations on the type of D Improvements that are needed on Highway 96 between I-35E and Old Highway 8. The Task Force - studied all aspects of the highway from lane width and configuration to drainage. In addition, the - Task Force also studied how the impact of the roadway on the image and identity of the communities - U and the type of landscaping and ammenities that can improve the overall image of the corridor. - - -. 1 ~IL '~ ~ ';-':; ~..~ ~:~-'':'