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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION DATE: 10110105 ITEM: 9. Department ApprovaL• Manager Reviewed: Agenda Section: �- � ��' _ r '�� rF� L.'` �r -- _ _�4��' �'ti•-�� } �. � �� i Item Description: Resolution Requesting Traffic Study at County Road B and Rice Street Background: Metro Transit is developing plans to construct a 400 car park and ride facility at the Northeast corner of County Road B and Rice Street (see attached map). During peak usage the majority of these cars will need to exit westbound on County Road B and then turn onto Rice Street or continue west on County Road B. The intersection is already very congested given the proximity to the Highway 36 ramps and the obsolete bridge over Highway 36. Cub Foods in Maplewood and Joe's Sporting Goods in Little Canada are significant generator's of traffic to this intersection. St. Jude Medical's planned expansion of the Woodridge site to the east site will add even more traffic. We also would anticipate that future redevelopment along the Rice street corridor will add additional traffic to this intersection and to the ramps at Highway 36. Dan Soler, Ramsey County Traffic Engineer, has acknowledged these problems. He also notes that replacement of the bridge over Highway 36 is not likely to occur within the next 10 years. He further indicated that some mitigation measures may be possible, but they will be less than ideal. Another factor to consider is the possible widening of Highway 36 to increase the number of lanes of traffic. Therefore, staff is recommending two courses of action. The first is to adopt the attached = resolution requesting Metro Transit to conduct a thorough traffic study of this area prior to _ initiating any planned improvements, including the Park and Ride or at the intersection. While -_ Roseville should remain a strong advocate for transit improvements in our area, we need to be = careful that we do not exacerbate an existing problem. - The second course of action is to appeal to our legislators for help in expediting construction of the Rice Street Bridge over Highway 36. The lack of road funding pushes construction timelines for projects such as this one farther and farther into the future. Little Canada has passed a resolution requesting a traffic study be undertaken for this area prior to final approval of these improvements. They have requested Roseville and Maplewood consider doing the same. Recommended Council Action: Motion to adopt the attached resolution requesting a traffic study of the Rice Street and County Road B area and a request that funding be considered for the upgrade of the Rice Street Bridge over Highway 36. Prepared By: Duane Schwartz