03-30-09-WS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - MARCH 30, 2009 3 Mayor Harpstead stated overall the regional system was well balanced with options for traffic to flow through the area. He asked for comments from the Council on the proposed round-abouts and signalized intersections. Mr. Tolaas reviewed the size and scale of the proposed round-abouts indicating they would be complete with medians. He stated one concern on the County's behalf was making people aware of the round-abouts and their proper use. Councilmember McClung questioned if there was an area within the State that had four round-abouts in such close proximity as is being proposed within this project. Mr. Tolaas stated he was not aware of such a project, which could be cause for concern. He indicated the use of round-abouts was on the rise. Councilmember Holden asked how much more the round-abouts were than a series of signalized intersections. Mr. Tolaas stated the proposed temporary signals would be wooden poles with spanned wire running $250,000. He explained the round-abouts would be a permanent solution to handle the traffic flow and would cost roughly $800,000, but that the State of Minnesota would need to assist in this expense. Mayor Harpstead indicated the round-abouts would assist with the bridge rebuild. Councilmember Grant stated he was in favor of the temporary signals. Councilmember Holden had issues with the proposed round-abouts and that they were not pedestrian friendly and posed major safety concerns. Mayor Harpstead indicated he did not want to encourage high-speed traffic making difficult maneuvers through the proposed four consecutive round-abouts. Mayor Harpstead stated he would be in favor of signals versus what was currently being proposed in the drawings with an additional round-about near Arden Manor. Councilmember McClung expressed concern about having six semaphores in this small proximity as well.