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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - JULY 23, 2007 6 that she worked on a project like this, and she could work with Mr. Roy to obtain more information. Mayor Harpstead asked, will we lose State and federal funding if nothing happens at Highway 10 and 96? Mr. Roy stated that he believes the crash rate will increase, congestion will increase, traffic on local roads will increase, but money will be spent elsewhere if a decision isn't made regarding this intersection. A resident stated that if a second signal was added north of the current signal, it will end up being problematic onto I-35W, creating back-ups on the Interstate, which would be unsafe. Resident George Grenander referenced the 2005 environmental studies for I-694/Hamline/I-35W. He understood that noise walls have been found to not be economically feasible. Mr. Goess responded that measurements were taken and modeled, and they studied decibel reduction and cost effectiveness. The results were such that Mn/DOT would not propose noise walls. That does not mean that Mn/DOT could not work with the City to help with identifying funding. Mr. Grenander stated that he would like the elevation information and asked if that had been taken into account. Mr. Goess responded that yes, they have studied the elevations. He stated that the problem is that the homes are so high; noise walls are not as effective. The environmental document should be available in the next year or so. He referenced the Mn/DOT formula regarding noise walls and the difference in funding has to be made up from somewhere else. A resident noted that noise rises up with elevations. Mr. Goess responded that normally, a noise wall is not effective past the first row of homes. A resident asked, are you planning a sound wall along Highway 96 near Arden Manor? Ms. Bloom stated that there are 263 projects on the State's list; the area north of Highway 96 is ranked 15th, so a wall may be built if it continues to rise up the list. Mr. Tolaas stated that they had discussed noise walls as part of the County Rod 96 project, but at the time residents didn't want them due to loss of sunlight. A resident asked when the measurements are taken for noise wall studies. He stated that if you take the signal away, there will be more traffic and more noise. Mr. Goess responded that they measure when traffic tends to be loudest and at free flow. Mr. Roy stated that it takes twice as much traffic to general a 2-3 decibel increase. A resident stated that you should look at the total proj ect when discussing noise walls. A resident voiced concern about traffic on Highway 96. Mr. Roy stated that Highway 96 is probably currently being used as a cut-through because of current congestion on 1-694 caused by the unweave the weave project, and the Highway 36 project. Mr. Haick stated that I-35W hasn't kept up with what it needs to do, and that is the real problem. Mr. Roy indicated that the State has $24 billion in needs but only gets about $250 million. There is about a $1 billion shortfall per year. Mr. Haick stated that 1-35W is the problem. He asked, why does Arden Hills have to take this traffic on Highway 10? He questioned what the trade-off is for Arden Hills. We lose our access. He stated that City should be fighting for the residents. Another resident stated that we need public transportation. Mr. Grenander added that we don't