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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday, October 20,2014 <br /> Page 5 <br /> response time. Mr. O'Neill noted that, with opticon lights and barring rush hour <br /> traffic, there were no concerns at this point, as there were multiple points from the <br /> east available using back routes; and noted the bridge itself would only be closed <br /> from 4-6 months; and in working with contractors, emergency vehicles could be <br /> allowed access to Highway 36 if and when accidents occurred, similar to the Dale <br /> Street construction project in the past. Mr. O'Neill advised that he saw no nega- <br /> tive impacts for homeowners or business owners from an emergency response <br /> perspective. <br /> Councilmember Laliberte expressed her appreciation of everyone working togeth- <br /> er on solutions during the upcoming project; and Mr. Kruse advised that emer- <br /> gency vehicle access had been considered and played an important part in the <br /> phasing. <br /> Councilmember McGehee addressed the noise wall along Highway 36 in Rose- <br /> ville at I-35W, noting its poor condition. Since this is essentially an entrance to <br /> the community, Councilmember McGehee asked if that wall could be updated and <br /> brought up to a more favorable aesthetic quality similar to those installed in other <br /> communities. Councilmember McGehee further noted other communities who <br /> seem able to request and receive pedestrian overpasses on major thoroughfares, <br /> while Roseville is unable to get any response for such a safety amenity over Snel- <br /> ling Avenue in the County Road B area near Har Mar Mall. With several frontage <br /> roads on each side of Snelling Avenue in the Roselawn Avenue area, and the <br /> dense commercial area, with Snelling Avenue used extensively to reach Rosedale <br /> Center as well, Councilmember McGehee asked if MnDOT could facilitate that <br /> needed safety aspect for future construction projects. <br /> Specific to sound barrier walls, Ms. Kauppi admitted they were always a chal- <br /> lenge, and considered part of the infrastructure and built as required by federal <br /> code to protect residents living next to a highway. However, Ms. Kauppi advised <br /> that there was no process, or funds in place to provide maintenance for them <br /> along older interstate sections. In the last few years, Ms. Kauppi advised that <br /> MnDOT had been trying to set aside $2 million annually to perform some of that <br /> repair work, mostly involving post repair and replanking as indicated. Ms. Kaup- <br /> pi noted that she would communicate this Roseville request within their depart- <br /> ment, and follow-up with Mr. Culver accordingly. <br /> Councilmember McGehee questioned if there was anything available to replace <br /> the existing wall with a more up-to-date or modern noise wall. <br /> Ms. Kauppi noted that engineering work would begin in the next month for the <br /> MnPass extension project, and as part of this eighteen month preliminary engi- <br /> neering process, sound evaluations would be included according to proscribed <br /> analyses, she would see if updated noise walls were intended as part of that phas- <br /> ing. <br />