Blake Road Corridor StudyWSB
Infrastructure ■ Engineering ■ Planning ■ Construction
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Memorandum
To:
Hopkins City Council
From:
Tony Heppelmann, PE
WSB & Associates
Date:
September 3, 2014
Re:
Blake Road Corridor Study
WSB Project No. 01787-240
701 Xenia Avenue South
Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55416
Tel: 763-541-4800
Fax: 763-541-1700
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide the Hopkins City Council an update on the Blake
Road Corridor Study.
Background
The City of Hopkins, in conjunction with Hennepin County, the Cities of Edina and St. Louis
Park, is leading a corridor study for Blake Road/Aquila Avenue to identify and plan for
transportation improvements needed to support construction of the Southwest Light Rail Transit
(SWLRT) line. The study area extends from 36th Street in St. Louis Park to Interlachen
Boulevard in Edina. The study has included participation from the agencies listed above as well
as Three Rivers Park District, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, the Minnesota
Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and with Southwest LRT Project Office. The study is
intended to address infrastructure needs in order to:
■ Provide better accommodations for pedestrians, bicyclists and bus users
■ Provide better connections and access to the planned light rail station at Blake Road and
2nd Street for all modes
■ Provide better connections and access to adjacent neighborhoods, commercial nodes
and recreational facilities
■ Provide the necessary transportation infrastructure to support redevelopment in and
near the corridor that will enhance economic growth, community connectivity, and
residential diversity
The study is guided by a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) with representatives from each
of the partner agencies listed above.
Schedule and Scope
The Blake Road Corridor Study began in March 2014 and is anticipated to be completed by
February 2015. The scope of the study includes the following:
Spring
Data collection: traffic, safety, trails, planned improvements, previous studies
2014
Document existing conditions — safety problems, gaps in the networks, poor
operations, connectivity concerns, areas identified for redevelopment/planned
development, etc.
Analyze future traffic conditions
Develop corridor goals and objectives
Summer
Develop and evaluate alternatives for improvements to the corridor
2014
Attend city council work sessions/meetings
• Open House 1: June 25 (collect input on needs, issues, etc.)
• Open House 2: October (present and collect input on alternatives)
Fall 2014
Select a preferred alternative
Develop an implementation plan: costs, timing and funding sources
Provide update to city councils
• Open House 3: November/December (present preferred alternative)
Winter
Finalize implementation plan
2014/2015
Prepare final report
Public Involvement
The first project open house was held on June 25, 2014. Approximately 50 people attended the
meeting. The project team provided information on the purpose and goals of the study. The
open house materials also included information on existing conditions in the corridor, including
crash history, traffic operations, proposed public infrastructure and private development in the
corridor, and existing and planned pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Comments from the public
fell into the following themes:
• Traffic operations and safety concerns
• Pedestrian crossings of Blake Road and the need for sidewalks on intersecting
streets, including Belmore Lane
• Desire for bicycle facilities on Blake Road
• Safety concerns about the Cedar Lake Regional Trail crossing of Blake Road
• Access to future Southwest LRT station for pedestrians, bicyclists, and bus transit
users
Summary of Alternatives
Based upon the technical analyses and feedback from the TAC and the public, WSB developed
a series of alternatives (for the roadway, pedestrian/bicycle facilities, intersection improvements
and corridor crossings) to meet the identified needs and desires along the corridor. The project
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) has reviewed these alternatives and provided feedback
that was used to refine the alternatives. These alternatives will be presented to the public at an
Page 2
open house in October. The following paragraphs summarize the alternatives developed to
date:
South of Excelsior Boulevard (CSAH 3)
South of Excelsior Boulevard, Blake Road is proposed to remain a two-lane roadway with 6 foot
wide bicycle lanes adjacent to the curb. A new sidewalk is proposed on the west side of Blake
Road, from Boyce Street to Waterman Avenue. The sidewalk would be 6 feet wide and 6 feet
from the existing curb. North of Boyce Street, the sidewalk would connect to multipurpose trails
on both sides of Blake Road. The attached typical section shows the proposed sidewalk and
bike lanes south of Excelsior Boulevard.
Between Excelsior Boulevard (CSAH 3) and 36th Street
WSB and the TAC are currently evaluating the following alternatives for Blake Road between
Excelsior Boulevard (CSAH 3) and 36th Street. Attached are typical sections showing the cycle
track plus sidewalk and multipurpose trail alternatives on a 4 -lane divided roadway, as well as a
layout showing the proposed design for the intersection of Blake Road and TH 7.
Under the pedestrian and bicycle facility alternatives, the TAC has discussed that the
multipurpose trail alternative may be the most appropriate facility for the corridor. A
multipurpose trail will meet the needs of less -experienced bicyclists connecting to the Cedar
Lake Trail and the future LRT station. The multipurpose trail will also result in fewer impacts to
adjacent properties than the cycle track plus sidewalk alternative.
Roadway
• 3 -Lane — Center Left -turn Lane and Right -turn lanes (48 feet curb face to curb face)
• 4 -Lane — No separate turn lanes (48 feet curb to curb)
• 5 -Lane — Center Left -turn lane with no median and no right -turn lane (59 feet)
• 4 -Lane Divided — Median with left -turn lanes and no right -turn lanes (67 feet)
Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities
• On -road Bike Lanes
• Cycle Track plus Sidewalk
• Multipurpose Trails
Other Alternatives
Between Excelsior Boulevard and RR Crossing
• Median Break at Apartment Access
• No Median Break
Cedar Lake Trail Crossinq
• At -Grade
• Grade Separated
Page 3
Lake Street Pedestrian Crossing
• At -Grade
• Grade Separated
Intersections with 2nd and Lake Streets
• Traffic Signal
• Roundabout
Intersection with TH 7
• At -Grade
• Grade Separated Interchange
Next Steps
A project open house will be scheduled for October. At this meeting the various alternatives
considered will be presented along with an initial evaluation of the alternatives. A draft
recommendation will be provided in terms of an alternative that is likely to move forward for
design. Feedback and input on the alternatives from the public and property owners will be
used to help finalize section of a preferred alternative.
Following the open house, the TAC will select a preferred alternative. WSB will develop an
implementation plan that includes: construction costs, potential right of way impacts, timing of
construction and potential funding sources. WSB will provide an update to city councils in late
2014. A final open house will be held in late 2014.
Attachments
Hopkins Layout
Boyce Street -Waterman Avenue Typical Section
Excelsior Boulevard-TH 7 Typical Sections for Cycle Track/Sidewalk and Multipurpose Trail
Median Break at Hill Street (Access across from Westside Village Apartments)
Roundabout Alternatives - 2nd and Lake Streets
TH 7 -Blake Road Intersection Layout
Page 4
66'
3 ir 6' 12 12' 6' ; 15'
Sidewalk Blvd Exist + Thru Lane + Thr. Lane + Exist Boulevard
Bike Lane Bike Lane
Proposed Section with Sidewalk
I Blake Road Corridor - Boyce Street to Waterman Avenue September 3, 2014 I
Typical Section
Blake Road Corridor - TH 7 to CSAH 3
106.34'
2.67' 2.67'
5.5' 6' 5.5' r 1 2' I 11' 1 11' 12' 1 6' 12' 11' 1 2' I 1 I 5.5' I 6' I 5.5'
Walk �h �hOne-Way�h + Thru Lane Thr. Lane �h Turn Lane Median Thru Lane �h Thru Lane + hOne-Way�h �h Walk
Cycle Track Cycle Track
Existing Right -of -Way Varies 85' to 95' a
Proposed Typical Section with One -Way Cycle Track Walk
102.34'
2' 2'
10' 1 5.67 2' 11' 11
1' 12' 6' 2' 5.67' 10'
Multipurpose Buffer Thru Lane Thru Lane Turn Lane Median Thru Lane Thru Lane Buffer Multipurpose
Trail Trail
Existing Right -of -Way Varies 85' to 95'
Proposed TypicalSection with Multipurpose Trail August 19, 2014
Median Break at Hill St
August 27, 2014
Roundabouts
August 27, 2014
TH 7 At Grade Intersection
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August 19, 2014
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