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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - JULY 23, 2007 3 to upgrade to an interchange or overpass, but the report does not specifically mention a year because they do not have funding at this time. The goal is to watch for opportunities. It was stated that neither Ramsey County nor Mn/DOT wanted to do anything with the intersection until they knew more about what would happen with TCAAP. It was noted that both the County and Mn/DOT support the intersection improvement project. Resident Pat Haick stated that he believes it is an Arden Hills project, being proposed by the City and not the State or County. James Tolaas of Ramsey County responded that in terms of County Road 96, the County concluded a long time ago that the only practical solution for Highway 96 is a grade separation. Arden Hills was the "stumbling block" because the City did not have agreement on a preferred option. The County at one time had a contract for the improvement project, but had to cancel it pending local discussion. Mayor Harpstead said it is a joint project. Mr. Haick stated that it must be a City project if the City is requesting funding. Mr. Tolaas stated that the only reason Highway 96 didn't proceed earlier was local City concerns. The county had a final design contract with BRW, but it was cancelled to allow time for local planning and decision-making to occur. Mayor Harpstead indicated that yes, times change, TCAAP is happening, the City has an offer to purchase on the property now, and planning for TCAAP is occurring. Mr. Haick stated his concern that the City is allowing traffic to go through on Highway 10 as a highway, solving the I-35W problem for others. He believes that once that happens, Mn/DOT will just take advantage of Highway 10 and push more traffic on it. Chris Roy responded that Mn/DOT is working on the 1-694 improvement project. The environmental document was recently signed. The project includes improvements to the I-35W and 1-694 interchange. Mn/DOT studies the impact on moving traffic off of Highway 10 to 1- 35W and 1-694; this would result in a three-lane ramp, which would result in the removal of West Round Lake Boulevard and the businesses along that street. Mr. Haick asked, so it is just a highway? Mr. Tolaas stated that Highway 10 is already classified and functions as a reliever. A resident asked, is the development of TCAAP dependent on the Highway 10 and 96 interchange. Mayor Harpstead responded that there are impacts of access to TCAAP. He stated that without the interchange there may still be some development, but at a certain point the whole project would fall apart without the Highway 10 and 96 improvement and access off of 10 into TCAAP. Resident Jolene Poucher stated that she has spoken with Mr. Tolaas and others over the years about reducing speed and limiting truck traffic on Highway 10. She stated that something has to be done to reduce "density" of traffic on Highway 10. The vibrations and noise are becoming unbearable. She stated her concern that this improvement will happen long before the 1-694 project is completed, and the safety of all the cars that will fly through Highway 10 and 96 and then hit a back-up at 1-694.