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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - June 30, 2008 13 him. He asked Mr. Chromy to outline his discussions with Ramsey County and MnJDOT relative to noise abatement. Mr. Chromy stated that noise abatement had been discussed in detail in April relative to noise conditions and the study that Mn/DOT had completed on Highway 1 0 as they expanded the noise analysis from the Interstate 694 Environmental Assessment. That is the extent of the noise analysis that has been completed. No one is disputing that it is noisy or that abatement would be helpful. The challenge becomes its cost effectiveness. MnJDOT is regulated by State and Federal laws on how they can use Trunk Highway dollars. Since this is not a cost effective improvement, they are not able to use Trunk Highway dollars for noise abatement or sound walls. He also stated that none of the projects being discussed would preclude noise walls being installed at a later time. At this time, it is not cost effective and therefore Trunk Highway dollars can not be used and it will not be included as part of these projects. Councilmember Grant stated that Highway 1 0 was being converted to a freeway to reduce the traffic at the Interstate 694 and Interstate 35W interchange. With Highway 10 being a freeway, there is substantial savings for the State and those savings should be used for noise abatement. He asked if there were different criteria that could be applied in this particular case or if special appropriations would be available. He also stated that at some point, the City does need to move forward. Until the City moves into preliminary design, the City may not get to the specifics of how to solve the concerns of the residents. He stated that noise abatement was a major concern for him and this would affect his vote. He stated his concerns about moving forward and the concerns of the Council have not been addressed and they may not be addressed later in the process either. Mr. Chromy stated that MnJDOT's position on noise abatement was that it could not be paid for through traditional funding. Mn/DOT may not be opposed to noise walls or other noise abatement measures, but they would need to be funded locally. Mayor Harpstead asked if actual decibel readings could be presented during the preliminary design phase. Mr. Chromy stated that from Mn/DOT's perspective, they had completed the noise work required along Highway 10. The Highway 10 and County Road 96 project is a County project and they are likely not required to complete a detailed noise analysis. The County may be willing to look at this in a cooperative effort with the City.