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project, this project was pushed out to eliminate and/or reduce those impacts. Mr. <br /> Culver advised that the updated tentative timeline was for bid in the fall of 2015 <br /> and construction start in 2015. Mr. Culver advised that staff continued to work <br /> with MnDOT to keep construction activities limited to one year versus a two-year <br /> project as originally planned, in order to reduce local impacts. <br /> Specific to the aesthetics of the current versus new bridge, Mr. Culver advised <br /> that the existing railing no longer met current design or safety standards for <br /> interstate roadways, but staff was attempting to work the Art Deco design into the <br /> new bridge and maintain the look of existing pillars, and the arch element. <br /> Discussion included the importance of this Lexington Avenue corridor for school <br /> students; similar travel lanes (two through lanes and one center turn lane); <br /> existing pedestrian facilities with a better 2' separation between the pathway and <br /> drive lanes, with slope paving on the west side; and a 10' clear zone on the east <br /> side. Mr. Culver advised that staff continued to consult with MnDOT on the <br /> potential installation of a sidewalk on the east side, since there will be some width <br /> gained underneath the bridge that could hopefully extend north, with installation <br /> under the bridge now and future extension and connection both north and south as <br /> a future project. <br /> On the freeway side, Mr. Culver advised that was supportive of the long-term <br /> goal for three lanes on Highway 36 eastbound, and was therefore building the <br /> roadway wide enough to support that in the future, with only striping at this time, <br /> but scripted as a wide shoulder and construction of the bridge at this time <br /> supporting that application in the future. While it was difficult to absorb the <br /> whole context of the interchange layout form these maps, Mr. Culver reviewed <br /> areas of new pavement, signal replacement for ADA compliance features at <br /> ramps; and concrete rehabilitation on the Hamline Avenue ramps on the north <br /> side, which will also be closed for a portion of the construction project as well. <br /> At the request of Member Wozniak, Mr. Schwartz reviewed past considerations <br /> by MnDOT to remove the Hamline Avenue overpass and exits when the bridge <br /> was originally slated for replacement in 2005. However, Schwartz advised that in <br /> 2000, additional discussions had been initiated with MnDOT on the feasibility of <br /> that, originally intended to look at the broader spacing along this stretch and <br /> desire by MnDOT to eliminate weave movements between ramps and westbound <br /> traffic and the Hamline Avenue off ramp, and based on exits too close together <br /> according to ramp spacing guidelines. However, Mr. Schwartz advised that at the <br /> request of Ramsey County and Roseville were the negative impacts that would <br /> have on traffic on Snelling and Lexington Avenues and in front of the high school <br /> on County Road B-2, with that infrastructure being inadequate to take on an <br /> additional estimated 14,000 cars displaced from the Hamline Avenue ramps. Mr. <br /> Schwartz noted that, around that same time, funding shortages occurred; with the <br /> current project focus simply one of bridge replacement and not reconfiguration of <br /> other elements. <br /> Page 10 of 18 <br />