Laserfiche WebLink
<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - JUNE 28, 1999 <br /> <br />4 <br /> <br />The Minnesota Department of Transportation asked that Ramsey County go back and revisit this <br />issue. The Minnesota Department of Transportation's position is that they could accept this <br />scenario, however, with conditions that address the safety and circulation issues developed in this <br />area, such as closing off the accesses completely. This action would leave the City without any <br />access to US Highway 10 for the properties north of Highway 96 and west of US Highway 10. <br /> <br />Mr. Tolaas said that the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Ramsey County and Arden <br />Hills City staff worked at developing a frontage road option along the west side of US Highway <br />10, in lieu of the previous ramp proposal. This option would have some trade-offs and restrict <br />some access. The southbound US Highway 10 traffic could not access Highway 96 at all. There <br />would be an opening for the Scherer Lumber facility from north bound US Highway 10. This <br />opening would be configured in such a way so as not to allow cut through traffic from US <br />Highway 10 to Highway 96. <br /> <br />The proposed frontage road would displace the current home sites on the west side of US <br />Highway 10. The frontage road would provide access for local property owners by allowing for <br />both east and west movements onto Highway 96. This option does put a greater focus on the <br />interchange at I-35W and Highway 96. Ramsey County has proposed a single point diamond <br />design interchange for this location. This is an improvement, which will not occur for several <br />years since the Minnesota Department of Transportation is considering the I-35W corridor in a <br />broader sense. Mr. Tolaas stated that he did not believe there would be support for funding at <br />this location until the Minnesota Department of Transportation completes the I-35W study. <br /> <br />Mr. Tolaas expressed his belief that this second option is an attractive proposal for circulation of <br />the US Highway 10 and Highway 96 intersection. It is likely that the Minnesota Department of <br />Transportation would work closely with Ramsey County to develop a funding package for this <br />option. Mr. Tolaas stated that the County is not attempting to dictate to the City which scenario <br />should be chosen. One option would be to back away from this entire segment until the funding <br />is put together. At this point, the County cannot move forward with an engineering design until a <br />concept is found which is acceptable to both the City of Arden Hills and the State of Minnesota. <br /> <br />Mayor Probst noted that a related development was that the State of Minnesota is in the process <br />ofturning back Highway 96 to Ramsey County. With this process, Highway 96 is being <br />scheduled for upgrades from Old Highway 8 through to White Bear Lake. In theory, by the end <br />of this summer, everything from Lexington Avenue to the east will be completed. Mr. Tolaas <br />noted that the eastern portion of Highway 96 is scheduled to be a two year project. <br /> <br />Mayor Probst stated that in conversations with Ramsey County, the City of Arden Hills had <br />thought there had been a resolution of the US Highway 10 and Highway 96 interchange. The <br />Mimlesota Department of Transportation entered the discussions somewhat late and had <br />indicated a strong desire to have a grade separation with a bridge for US Highway 10 over <br />Highway 96. The overall plan had been for US Highway 10 to serve as a reliever for I-35W <br />traffic. <br /> <br />The initial proposal the City received from the Minnesota Department of Transportation related <br />to this plan provided no access at the US Highway 10 and Highway 96 interchange. The City <br />