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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 smatl 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 traffic for right turns through fhe intersecfion is about 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 potenfia! safety impact of additional traffic will be mitigated by proper timing of the tratfic signal. At the completion of intersection improvements, the traffic signal will need_to be retimed to account for fufure ��•: J traffic and pedestrian movements and to,�fsafely accommodate all pedestrian crossings. :��'�' _� 6. Comment: TH 51 (Snelling Aver�ue)`:north of Lydia,rwill be impacted and most travelers are using this intersection �;With the.tiirnover of these spaces the volume of traffic will increase by thousai�ds'of,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 mitigation ;;,,,a ,4esponse: The traff;c study rndicated th,at increa es��n trsffic on Snelling �ver,ue over the next 20 years will come from increases iri�background" traffic from many sources, �es well as some increase from Northwestern College. The City may w�sh� to �work with Ramsey County and Mn/DOT to monitor roadway noise to determme whether`overall traffic exceeds Minnesofa noise standards. These �=;.: ti� sfancJards vary based on surrounding land uses, and by time of day, with higher � s� noiseYlevels allowed beforE 10: 00 P. M. Potential strategies to address noise impacts a]so�vary,by land uses; and may include the following: �` ' `��r�;�"� � • Buffer Zones: Residential areas may be buffered by non-residential land uses located.'adjacent to the roadway. :r� '��<��:.y� Building Construction Requirements: Specifying noise mitigation • construcfion 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 wifh Ramsey County and Mn/DOT to monifor roadway noise and determine if a noise study in appropriate and necessary. TKDA Project No. 13529.002 Page 4 Draft Date: July 9, 2007