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Additional discussion included changes in alignment of two of the four ramps; <br /> lack of analysis by MnDOT pursuing roundabouts in this area to avoid back-ups <br /> during peak school times, but limited by significant grade issues and challenges to <br /> the cost of the project. Form a staging perspective, Mr. Culver advised that <br /> diverting Highway 36 traffic off the ramp and then back onto Highway 36 around <br /> bridge replacement segments would cause Lexington Avenue to be closed to <br /> through traffic for a time. Mr. Culver advised that MnDOT had originally <br /> intended to divert eastbound traffic, build the bridge and move traffic onto it; <br /> however, that would have required two construction seasons, and the City had <br /> suggested that MnDOT look at widening the ramp temporarily to allow one lane <br /> in each direction in order to build both bridges at the same time and provide <br /> significant economies of scale (e.g. easier traffic control and contractor <br /> mobilization costs). Mr. Culver advised that this would save a whole construction <br /> season of difficulty for Roseville residents and users of Lexington Avenue with <br /> one versus two construction seasons, with Lexington open to local traffic only. <br /> Mr. Schwartz advised that the proposed closure would be four months. At the <br /> request of Member Wozniak, Mr. Schwartz confirmed that staging remained <br /> preliminary at this point, and MnDOT was committed to looking at it again. <br /> Mr. Culver advised that, if traffic was completely diverted, contractors could <br /> accomplish the work quickly to the benefit of all. As an example, form his <br /> experience with bridge construction on Highway 610 in Maple Grove, one <br /> freeway overpass in forty-five days, proving that it can be done, as well as saving <br /> money and time and impacts. At the request of Member Gjerdingen, Mr. Culver <br /> advised that consideration was given to impacts to State Fair traffic impacts as <br /> well as school schedules, with determination that the larger impact would be for <br /> State Fair traffic, and therefore, the project may need to be initiated before school <br /> gets out. <br /> Member Seigler opined that Highway 36 was currently backed up daily, and with <br /> reduced lanes during construction and/or diversion of the traffic, it would bury <br /> Larpenteur Avenue, Highway 96 and other alternates as people found those <br /> options. <br /> Mr. Culver agreed that there would be serious restrictions during rush hour, but <br /> the goal was to focus the pain into a few months versus two years, and get the <br /> project done. <br /> Chair Stenlund concurred, opining that people tended to adjust after the first <br /> week. <br /> Specific to drainage issues and designs by MnDOT, Mr. Culver advised that City <br /> staff was working with their proposal to address what was needed locally from a <br /> drainage perspective, and allow the City to incorporate its historical drainage <br /> Page 11 of 18 <br />