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5. Comment: Snelling and Lydia: This intersection is already congested and becoming more unfriendly to pedestrians. A particular danger is drivers turning right. This development is next to a development for the aged. What is the effect on their safety and well being in negotiating an intersection swollen by this huge increase in Northwestern generated traffic? Response: The estimated increase in College generated traffic is only a very small percentage (about 2.2% in the a.m. peak and about 2.7% in the p.m.) of total traffic moving through the intersection. The level of College fraffic for right turns through the intersection is a6out 7% and 15% in the a.m. and p.m. peak hours, respectively. These small increases in traffic will not significantly increase safety hazards, and any potential safety impact of additional traffic will be mitigated by proper timing of the traffic signal. At the completion of intersection improvements, the traffic signal will need�to be retimed to account for future �� traffic and pedestrian movements and� - fely accommodate all pedestrian crossings. 6. Comment: TH 51 (Snelling Aven �orth of Ly �a�will be impacted and most travelers are using this intersection�With the �,u1`�nr�ver of these spaces the volume of traffic will increase by thousands o'f cars on this section of Snelling. Because this is a change from the current Conditions, I would like to request a noise wall study, or other forms of mitigatior�� Response: The traffic study indicated that increa�� in traffic on Snelling Avenue over the next 20 years will come from increases i� ackground" fraffic from many sourc�s� a��►.n�rell as some increase from Northwestern College. The City may wish ta'workn`y� `` Ramsey County and Mn/DOT to monitor roadway noise to determine wheth� ' verall traffic exceeds Minnesota noise standards. These standards vary bas `: n surrounding land uses, and by time of day, with higher noise��' ` Is allov�� 10:00 P. M. Potential strategies to address noise impacts � v ��'jr �ai�� ,�d may include the following: • Buffer Z��. � Residential areas may be buffered by non-residential land uses locate �tdjacent to the roadway. • Building Constr '� n Requirements: Specifying noise mitigation construction materials and techniques can reduce the impact of traffic. • Strategic Building Placement: Buildings can act as barriers if located to protect areas for outdoor use or to protect residences. • Noise Barriers: Noise barriers (e.g. walls or berms) between the roadway and residential areas can be constructed to reduce noise impacts. The effectiveness of barriers depends on the height and extent of the barriers and the specific location of the barriers relative to the roadways and residential areas. Again, the increases in traffic on Snelling Avenue over the next 20 years will come from increases in "background" traffic from many sources. The City may wish to work with Ramsey County and Mn/DOT to monitor roadway noise and determine if a noise study in appropriate and necessary. TKDA Project No. 13529.002 Page 4 DraR Date: July 9, 2007