2013-11-26_PWETC_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• The road remains under Ramsey County's jurisdiction west of Cleveland Avenue. • The speed limit is currently posted at 40 mph. • After the October 2013 PWETC meeting, the City performed a speed study, with the 85th percentile speed indicating a speed of 46.1 mph at the east end and 36.2 mph at the west end. • The existing pavement width is 26'. • It is estimated that the existing pavement life remaining is 8-10 years. • Ramsey County has a desire to turn back this road to the City's jurisdiction, since it no longer serves its original function, with its closure as a connection to Highway 280 following the I-35W bridge collapse. • City and County staff continue to negotiate the turn back agreement terms, with the City concerned with the condition of the roadway and any cost- sharing that can be achieved under their new cost participation policy. Mr. Schwartz reviewed some preliminary pedestrian facility options and challenges that had been provided to the City Council for their consideration last night. Those included: • The immediate need and short-term solution would be to provide a shoulder trail or sidewalk along County Road B. • There are a number of obstacles to create a permanent separate facility that affect feasibility, including but not limited to right-of-way, topography, and drainage issues. • The most cost-effective, short-term solution would be to widen the shoulder facility with a 6' attached pedestrian facility with a 2.5' buffer between the roadway and path. • The cost of such a short-term solution was estimated by Mr. Schwartz at under $120,000, excluding the cost of necessary storm water mitigation. Mr. Schwartz advised that staff had suggested to the City Council the option of widening the shoulder from Cleveland to Fulham, then widening an additional segment from Fulham to the private apartment driveway at the west end. Mr. Schwartz reviewed some of the initial concerns expressed by the City Council, including whether to further extend the pathway to the apartment building on public right-of-way; whether this would provide the best and most cost-effective interim solution; and difficulties of undertaking this unbudgeted item outside of a reconstruction project that would spread the impact of additional width and address stormwater mitigation, and small wetlands adjacent to the golf course and area topography issues. Mr. Schwartz advised that the City Council had not taken any action at their meeting last night, other than directing staff to meet with the neighborhood, with staff anticipating such a meeting in early January to hear additional feedback, providing notice by direct mail to the neighbors. Mr. Schwartz noted that the City Council was also concerned with the lack of a physical barrier between the roadway and interim pedestrian facility, while recognizing the difficulty in Page 6 of 18