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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 11-23-1992 .... , r , ~ . . . MINUTES Informational Meeting of T.H. 51 and snelling Avenue Median closing Monday, November 23, 1992, 3:00 p.m. Present were: Dorothy Person, City Administrator-Arden Hills; Dan Winkel, Public Works Superintendent-Arden Hills; Dick Roessler, Chair-Public Safety/Works Committee-Arden HillS, Jean Lemberg, Member-Public Safety/Works Committee-Arden Hills, Brad Lemberg, Arden Hills resident and President of Independent Consulting Engineers, Inc. ; Janeen Kajer, resident; Jim Tolass, Ramsey County Public Works; Dan Soler, Ramsey County Public Works; Tom O'Keefe, MnDOT representative; Terry Maurer, city Engineer-Maurer Stewart Associates; Dale HickS, Councilmember- Arden Hills; Dick wedell, Ramsey County Commissioner Elect; JoAnn Growe, Councilmember-Arden Hills; Beverly Aplikowski, Councilmember Elect-Arden Hills. Councilmember Dale Hicks convened the meeting. Tom O'Keefe from MnDOT indicated that he works for the local initiatives portion of MnDOT in that he is responding the citizen request for information and alternatives for the Closing of Trunk Highway 51 near Lydia and snelling Avenue. O'Keefe indicated that per his October 23, 1992, letter the closing is a permanent . closure in the minds of MnDOT. The closure of the intersection as exists currently is a permanent closure. However, he had prepared for concept alternatives for the city to consider and possibility recommend MNDOT their preferred alternative. 1- Frontage road from Old snelling to Lydia. This is the preferred MnDOT alternative due to the safety issue in eliminating three entrances/exits onto T.H. 51- 2. Reconfiguring the intersection of Old Snelling, Hamline and T.H. 51, turning this into a right angle and opening again this intersection with a signal light. 3. Widening the County Road E bridge. 4. Continue with a permanent closure of the median. The County representative Jim Tolass indicated that the traffic studies at county Road E has shown that in January, 1991, 7,680 cars were travelling on county Road E at that intersection and in March, 1992, the traffic count was 7,718. Therefore, no major or substantial effect of the closure of T.H. 51 has been seen by the County. citizens indicate that there may be more traffic due to a potential townhouse development. Ramsey County indicated that work may be needed on the bridge. . However, there are no plans at this time. Brad Lemberg indicated that ADT may be acceptable. During rush hours and extremely busy time periods, the bridge is difficult to travel. MnDOT indicated if there is a frontage road that they will not obtain the right-of-way. The local governmental entity would be responsible for all costs of this frontage road. ...h.1(! ~U / r/ADh~ a~Ut(1.LL I]tf,y. . , . . MINUTES - Informational Meeting of T.H. 51 and Snelling Avenue Median closing Monday, November 23, 1992, 3:00 p.m. Page Two Jean Lemberg inquired about the costs and whether increased MSA miles are a possibility. However, the State indicated those do not seem to be potentials at this time but could be taken into account given other changes. Further discussion indicated a serious concern about wetlands in that area, on the frontage road area, and also the need to purchase land from Northwestern College in order to link to the drive area. Discussion also followed regarding County Road E bridge and whether this was an alternative that needed to be considered. General discussion agreed that this alternative was expensive and did not address the concern of access onto Old snelling. Primary discussion centered on changing the angle of the Old Snelling and Hamline on the east side of T.H. 51 and signalization of the intersection. The State indicated that the City would be responsible for approximately one-fourth of those . costs with one-half paid by the State and the other one-fourth funded by the County on the Hamline side. Further discussion identified that the frontage road is the most costly. The reconfiguring of Hamline, Old Snelling Avenue, and T.H. 51 with a traffic signal is not in the 5-year plan of the County or State which may represent additional changes in their systems. County Commissioner Elect Wedell indicated a need for addressing concerns of opening 1-694. The State indicated that current planning designs exist for the reconfiguration of the T.H. 51 and 1-694 intersection and ramping. Councilmember Hicks indicated the discussion regarding the request from citizens on the reconfiguration of Old Snelling, T.H. 51, and Hamline be identified as the potential priority would be forwarded to Council. It is understood that the City needs to initiate this discussion with the county and State in order to move forward at that time. This issue will be brought up at the City Council meeting. It was also agreed by the group that a separate discussion needs to follow regarding what alternative for diversion of traffic on county Road E or the effect of that traffic on the County Road E . bridge and the adjacent travel lanes to that bridge on each side of the road.