2008-07-22_PWETC_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

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Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. ©® ®® Goedeke asked whether it would be appropriate for the Comp Plan to support the addition of turn lanes on roadways wherever possible. Forslund responded that he would incorporate language regarding added turn lanes into the chapter. Toogood expressed his support for Goedeke's turn lane suggestion. He alsa suggested that the amount of wasted fuel, pollution and people's wasted time caused by traffic congestion should be accounted for in making transportation policies and decisions. He stated that he has been working for five years on getting a third lane added to Highway 36. Schaffer stated that the Central Corridor in St. Paul will have transit stations at Snelling Ave and Fairview Ave. She asked how Roseville's Comp Plan will guide the City toward taking advantage of connections to this new transit amenity. Radel said that a bus route is being added to Lexington Avenue from the Central Corridor to Rosedale. Goedeke expressed his belief that transit will become even more important in the future with rising gas prices, however, he is concerned about current cuts in transit funding and services. Bakeman asked what year was used for the traffic counts. Forslund explained that the traffic counts use 2006 data. The traffic analysis model is calibrated using 2000 traffic data in order to link it to the 2000 U.S. Census data. Bakeman expressed her skepticism with the traffic counts based on her experience living on County Road B where she frequently sees half mile backups. She suggested that traffic congestion on Highway 36 is resulting in increased traffic and congestion on parallel east-west streets in Roseville, particularly County Raads B and C. There is limited east-west street connections in the community which also contributes to congestion on the few east-west through- streets. Grefenberg suggested that Roselawn Avenue also has significant traffic congestion issues. Roe said that the real issue is poor movement on some major street corridors rather than too much traffic. Schaffer expressed her concerns about all of the traffic originating from outside Roseville that moves through Roseville to get to Minneapolis and other places. These drivers don't really care about the impacts on Roseville. Bakeman said that lack of east-west transit routes is a problem and suggested that the Comp Plan should have a policy regarding this issue City Engineer Bllom added that adding and connecting east-west pathways and trails could also improve traffic movement. Johnson asked whether the traffic analysis model incorporated $5 per gallon gas prices. Forslund responded negatively. The current gas prices are an unprecedented event so it would be very difficult to incorporate this impact into the traffic analysis model.