CCP 12-20-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

NORTH METRO 1-35W CORRIDOR COALITION STATUS ASSESSMENT: IMPROVEMENTS TO 1-35W NORTH BACKGROUND: The North Metro 1-35W Corridor Coalition was formally established in December, 1996 under a Joint Powers Agreement signed by the founding Cites. The Coalition was formed to provide a venue within which the cities would collaborate with each other, with Mn/DOT and with the Metropolitan Council on planning for development and investments in transportation infrastructure. The Coalition determined early in its existence that there were many significant institutional barriers to collaboration. These included differences in city zoning and municipal code documents, different decision making structures and different cultures. Subsequently, funds were obtained for the development of a multi-city geographic information data base that could be shared by all members. Today, that data base provides unparalleled access to high definition demographic, housing, workforce and physical infrastructure data. The Coalition also determined that little specific information existed to enable the analysis of transportation system problems that would lead to prioritization of improvement projects. Subsequently, three studies were commissioned: 1. Transportation System Inventory, conducted by URS, Inc. 2. Travel Deficiencies Study, conducted by SRF, Inc. and, 3. Travel Demand Modeling Analysis, conducted by Meyer Mahaddes, Inc. Results of the Transportation studies included the following: 1. Current and forecasted volumes on 1-35W greatly exceed available and anticipated capacities, especially at 1-694 and in the TH 10 weave areas. 2. Providing additional main line capacity will draw through traffic away from the county and city arterials where drivers are trying to avoid congestion. 3. There is a strong demand for transit service to downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul consistent with worker origin-destination travel needs. Results of the Transportation studies were incorporated in the Coalition Build Out Study. The Build Out Study was conducted to answer the "What 1fT question: What if our communities were to build out as envisioned in our respective comprehensive plans and emerging development project opportunities? The study was conducted for the Coalition by the Design Center for the American Urban Landscape at the University of Minnesota. Results of the Coalition Build Out Study include the following: 1. Focusing corridor area growth in more compact areas with an emphasis on walkable development patterns will reduce the total travel demand generated. e - -