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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, December 15, 2008 Page 9 11. Public Hearings a. Public Hearing regarding State Project No. 6241-57R Trunk Highway 280 Reconstruction (between County Road B and Broadway Avenue) City Engineer Debra Bloom provided highlights of the proposed TH 280 project proposed for 2009, noting the most significant aspects, as detailed in the staff re- port dated December 15, 2008. Ms. Bloom noted comments received at an Open House held September 24, 2008 related to the project; and advised that representatives of MnDOT, Mr. Mark Guess and Mr. Chris Roy, were in tonight's audience to address questions of the City Council or public. Councilmember Ihlan noted comments expressed at the Open House regarding the lack of consideration for bike and pedestrian traffic amenities, specifically as it re- lated to crossing TH 280 at the County Road B area to connect into Minneapolis, and echoed those concerns, seeking information on alternative points of access. Chris Roy, MnDOT Mr. Roy reviewed MnDOT's analysis of volumes and destinations for pedestrian and bike traffic in that area; and movements on either side of TH 280. Mr. Roy advised that, due to a lack of volume of bike and pedestrian traffic, in addition to safety concerns, they were not proposing access across TH 280, unless through future installation of a pedestrian bridge, which would most likely be cost- prohibitive. Ms. Bloom noted that the area under discussion was private property owned by Paper Calmenson, and that there was no permission for a pedestrian crossing in that area. Ms. Bloom advised that MnDOT's recommendation was consistent with City observations; and noted that with a projected cost of $1.5 million for construction costs for a pedestrian bridge across TH 280, in addition to other safety and right-of--way acquisition issues, it was doubtful that this would be rec- ommended for future consideration, even if added to the .City's Pathway Master Plan for future opportunities. Further discussion included future construction of the Larpenteur interchange an- ticipated for 2009 construction, providing an alternative access point for that por- tion of Minneapolis, and able to accommodate commuter bikes. Mayor Klausing opened the Public Hearing at 6:55 p.m. Public Comment Dick Click, Fairways Lane, off County Road B, recently moved from Arden Hills to Roseville