CCP 09-11-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Executive Summary The Crty of Arden J Iilfs is requesting funding wlthm the management I safety category of the FY2006 Cooperatrvc Agreement Program to improve the dangerous pedestrian eondilious along the existing County Road E bodge over TH51. The existing bridge has two I r lanes with a 3' reaction on either side of the road and a narrow 2-foot pedestrian sidewalk. Due to the SIgnificant amount of pedestrian and vehrcular traffic along the bridge, the Crty considers Jl a safety concern and rs proposing to improve the pedestrian condition. The bndge is the only crossrng of TH51 within approximately 1.5 miles and is a vit~,] link between commerciaL rcsidenti~']. park systems, anel schools. The Improvement to the bndge SIdewalk will make pedestrian crossmgs ofTHSI safer and more effrcren!. . Description The City of Arden Hills has developed a Parks and Trails lV'laster Pbn, which outline improvements for parks and trails throughout the City. The Plan was adopted in 2002 after a resident survey and indicated that expanding Ihe trail network was a high priority. The Plan aims to connect the Arden Hills' community through an efficient and safe system of trails and SIdewalks that wdl proVide reSIdents with transpoJ1ation options and an opportunity for healthy exefCIse. The County Road E bridge over TIJ5] is consrdered a weak hnk 111 thIS system and poses a dangerous condition for pedestrian traffic. Currently, very nanow walkways exist on both Sides of the bridge creating potenlJal safety Issues for pedestrians attempting 10 cross TH5 I. The project area is located between the freeway ramps at the interchange between County Road E and TH5]. The bridge over TH5] accommodates a significant amount of traffic connecting the commercial, residential, schools and parks. TH51 is currently classified as a pnncipal al1erial and County Road E represents the sole TH51 pedestrian crossing for a dJStance of over J.5 miles, from Lydia A venue in Roseville to 1-694. For these reasons, vehrcle, pedestrian and bicycle traffrc are SIgnificant along County Road E. The roadway west of the interchange is generaHy 52 feet wide with 86 feet of right of way. From the Il1terchange to the bridge, the roadway narrows to two ]2' lanes with 3' reaction on either side of the road. The existing bridge mcludes guardrails with 2-foot wide concrete sidewalks along both sides. The speed limIt of County Road E is 30MPH with an ADT of ]] ,300. . Proposed Improvement The City Council SUppOI1S pedestrian improvements that involve widening the bridge to facilitate a 7.5-foot wide sidewalk. The Clty is also considering construction of a sidewalk from the western ramp signal to Old Highway ]0 as part of a separate project. The City Engineer anticipates a deciSIOn on the sidewalk improvement in November 200,1. The bridge sidewalk improvement is intended to create the maximum width sidewalk along the north side of the bridge through structural modifications (cantilever supports). 11re proposed improvements will be accomplished through the following: .