CCWS 10-18-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION October 18, 2004 3 . Councilmember Rem feels that residents want access to the freeway system but do not want to deal with the traffic problems or inaccessibility. Mayor Aplikowski asked Mr. Gernander if he would prefer to have local access or better traffic movement. Mr. Gernander believes that the current plan would result in more traffic on County Road F and Lexington Avenue. Mark Lindeberg mentioned that the modeling process is underway. The modeling process will provide MnDOT with a more detailed study to address traffic issues that were not considered in the original plan. Changes can be made to the original plan, but they may result in increased costs due to the impacts on wetlands and right-of-way areas. Hopefully the modeling will identify areas that can be changed with a minimal cost impact on the project. MnDOT is very interested in local input and feels that it is important to compile a list of thoughts and ideas from the communities that are affected by this proposal. Mayor Aplikowski stated that more people will be working in Arden Hills and better access will be needed in the future. Mr. Lindeberg realizes that this is a concern for the City. At this time the proposed project is only in the preliminary planning stages. The State of Minnesota has not budgeted past 2012 for . road reconstruction proj ects. Councilmember Larson noted that the modeling for the 1-694 improvement project is based upon a number of assumptions due to the fact that the 35W corridor group has not completed its modeling process at this time. Mr. Lindeberg mentioned that some assumptions are being made, but the engineer must work wi th the existing infrastructure. Councilmember Grant was wondering what is post 2012? MnDOT considers all projects that are not budgeted for at this time to be post 2012 projects. Mayor Aplikowski was wondering why Rice Street is considered more important then Lexington Avenue? Shouldn't Rice Street and Lexington Avenue be treated the same. Engineer Greg Brown feels that Lexington Avenue has high density commercial traffic that needs to be identified in this proposal. The original plans do not take into consideration the business growth that is occurring on Lexington A venue. Also, the Highway 96 access question needs to be addressed. Councilmember Larson would like to see a future meeting planned to address the 694 and 35W . proj ect concerns. He feels that a number of these concerns need to be addressed before the community can buy into this project.