CCP 03-20-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . . NORTH METRO 1-35W ACTION PLAN SUMMARY OVERVIEW: Prior work of the Coalition and others has identified the area on 1-35W between 1- 694 in New Brighton and Lake Drive in Lino lakes as a key freeway segment in the northern suburbs needing reconstruction. This work has been most recently reinforced by the findings incorporated in Mn/DOT's 1-35 Corridor Management Plan. The Plan included input from city, county and township officials throughout the area and as far north as Hinckley. Current Mn/DOT plans and the Metropolitan Council's 2030 Transportation Policy Plan do not foresee any expansion of 1-35W until sometime after 2030. While problems are acknowledged, improvements are deferred due to lack of adequate funding and greater emphasis on other priorities. Unless we act, together, this prognosis will not change. But it must be changed. This segment of 1-35W is at the heart of the freeway system that serves the fastest growing and redevelopment areas of northern Ramsey County and southern Anoka County. Redevelopment of the NW Quadrant in New Brighton, the TCMP Redevelopment in Arden Hills and the Medtronic Campus development in Mounds View are adding additional needs for capacity on top of the already visible daily problems we encounter. This growth is in addition to construction of thousands of new homes and the Pheasant Ridge site development in Blaine. Lack of specific plans for expansion of 1-35W makes planning for access from and to the regional system problematic for these developments. In addition, marketing efforts will be hampered. It is highly likely that transportation and other infrastructure investments will either be wasted or less efficient until Mn/DOT determines the nature and timing of improvements on l-35W. The segment of 1-35W north of 1-694 is a critical segment from a State and National perspective as well. It includes the joint segment of two Inter Regional Corridors, TH 10 & 1-35W, as they join the high priority metro freeway ring. The merging and weaving of traffic from the two corridors creates the need for another "Unweave the Weave" design similar to the 1-694/1-35E project further east. Failure to address the congestion and safety problems created by the current inadequate design will have severe impacts on commerce, tourism and personal mobility on a large scale Waiting until after 2030 for new capacity on 1-35W and for remodeling of the supporting local streets and arterials is not an option for our cities, our businesses and our citizens. Accordingly, the Coalition offers the following plan for securing the necessary planning and construction funds on an accelerated time table. 'The Plan" will be implemented recognizing that laws, policies and plans exist to provide a framework and process that ensures that appropriate