Loading...
CR 97-07 Cty Rd 73 Traffic StudyJanuary 3, 1997 Proposed Action. \ t v O G T ti ~~ ~ 5 P K , ~ Council Report 97-07 COUNTY ROAD 73 TRAFFIC STUDY This is a discussion item only. Staff is requesting comments from Council on the CSAH 73 corridor feasibility study scope of services. Overview. The Cities of Minnetonka & Hopkins' engineering consultant (SRF Consulting Group, Inc.) has just begun work on a feasibility study that will address a wide variety of issues regarding proposed traffic and safety improvements along County Road 73 from County Road 5 (Minnetonka Blvd) to Trunk Highway 7. The report will focus on proposed modifications at three intersection locations along County Road 73: Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka Mills Road/5~' Street and Trunk Highway 7. The report will discuss specific issues and recommendations at each location. These issues include: • advantages/disadvantages of each proposed innprovement • affect of each improvement on local streets and existing property access • comparison of traffic control options • comparison of County Road 73 & Minnetonka Blvd corridors to other similarly classified roadways • Discussion of incremental improvement benefits The attached scope of services fiuther details each report work task. The report is scheduled to be completed by mid-February, 1997. If City Council has additional items to be addressed or questions on the scope of services, staffwill ensure they are included in the report. Supnorting_Information. • SRF Consulting Group, Inc. letter proposal • City of Minnetonka ~viemo from October 29~` Joint Mumetonka/Hopkins W9rk Session . \ ` Steven J. Stadler, Director of Public Works CONSULTING GROUP, INC. Transportation • Civil • Structural • Environments] • Planning • "Traffic • Landscape Architecture • Parking November 14, 199b Mr. Lee Gustafson, P.E. Director of Engineering CITY OF MINNETONKA 14600 Minnetonka Boulevard Minnetonka, Minnesota 5534-1597 Dear Lee: r,- n~n~ ~ L~ iJt!? ~= ;; li J ~~.l~l NOV 15 iO~_~ SU$JECT: PROPOSAL FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR CSAH 73 FROM CSAH 5 TO TH 7 As you requested, we are pleased to submit this proposal for professional engineering services for the referenced project. The scope of our work, as we understand it, is to prepaze a Feasibility Study report for the CSAH 73 corridor from CSAH 5 to TH 7. This study is proposed to document recommended improvements and estimated costs for all improvements discussed in the August 8, 1496 CSAH 73/Mimretonka Mills Road Corridor Traffic Operations Analysis. The Feasibility Study will address the following issues in considering traffic and safety improvements for the entire comdor segment: • Traffic volumes • Traffic accident data • Traffic impacts to adjacent properties • Roadway geometries including turn lanes • Minnetonka Mills Road realignment • Signalization • Cross street access • Private and commercial driveway access • Bus traffic • PedestrianJbike facilities • Posted and traveled speeds • On-street parking The study v,~ill also address potential phasing of recommended improvements as vaell as possible funding sources. A detailed Scope of Services is attached. One Carlson Parkway 1`?orth, Suite 150, Mi>u~eapolis, MN 55447-4445 Telephone (612) 475-0010 • Fax (612) 475-2429 An Egunl O}>yorhn~rty E»ryloyer Mr. Lee Gustafson, P.E. - 2 - November 14, 1996 We would propose to be compensated for our work on an hourly basis for the actual time expended and for out-of-pocket expenses at cost in accordance with our Agreement for Engineering Services. We estimate the cost to prepare this Feasibility Study Report to be $11,400.00 and we will not exceed tlris figure without your approval. Based on our understanding of the project scope and potential benefits and impacts, we would recommend a cost sharing split of 75 percent City of Minnetonka and 25 percent City of Hopkins. We are prepared to start work immediately and anticipate that the Feasibility Study Report can be completed for staff review in eazly February 1997. If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to call. Sincerely, SRF CONSULTING GROUP, INC. ~~ Timothy D. Phenow, P.E. Principal TDP/jal Attachment • • November 14, 1996 SCOPE OF SERVICES CLIENT: CITY OF MINNETONKA PROJECT: FEASIBILITY STUDY AND REPORT FOR CSAH 73 FROM CSAH 5 To TH 7 Task No. ~TJork Task Description 1.0 DATA COLLECTION 1.1 Obtain additional traffic count data as necessary. - 1.2 Obtain additional traffic accident data for the corridor as necessary from: • Minnetonka • Hopkins • Hetmepin County • Mn/DOT 1.3 Review existing speeds on CSAH 73. 1.4 Perform traffic gap study if necessary. 1.5 Obtain additional City mapping, record drawings, etc. as necessary. 2.0 FEASIBILITY STUDY REPORT 2.1 Meet with Cities of Minnetonka and Hopkins staff, Hennepin County and Mn/DOT to review preliminary layout (prepazed under sepazate contract with the City of Minnetonka) with respect to traffic and bike/pedestrian safety issues. 2.2 Prepaze Feasibility Study report. The report will have a general introduction and overview of the corridor issues and concerns. Background data and previous traffic studies will be discussed as well as results of additional data collected and analyzed. Scope of Services - 2 - November 14, 1996 Task No. Work Task Description 2.3 The body of the report will discuss specific issues and recommendations by segments: Segment 1--CSAH 73lCSAH 5 intersection • tum lanes • signalization • consider ultimate design geometrics Segment 2--South of CSAH 5 to Minnetonka Mills RoadJSth Street • turn lanes • Minnetonka Mills Raad realignment • signalization • walks SegmenC 3--CSAH 73/TH 7 intersection • turn lanes • signal modification • median • frontage road closure • slip ramp closure • walks 2.3.1 The report will review and discuss the following as they relate to each segment: • Advantages and disadvantages of eaclr proposed improvement: - benefit - safety - access (gaps) - impacts - speeds • Affect of each improvement on local (Minnetonka and Hopkins) streets and existing property access. • Comparison of traffic control options (four-way stops versus signalization) • Compazison of CSAH 73 and CSAH 5 corridors to other similazly classified roadways. • Discussion of incremental improvement benefits versus benefits from complete project. • Scope of Services - 3 - November 14, 1996 ~• Task No. ~T/ork Task Description 2.4 The Feasibility Study Report will also include: • Study area map • Report graphics illustrating recommended improvements • Preliminary estimate of costs • Right-of--way requirements • Property access impacts • Discussion of possible project phasing Potential funding sources Z.5 Submit draft to City of Minnetonka, City of Hopkins, Herurepin County and Mn/DOT for review. 2.6 Incorporate modifications requested. 2.7 Submit 2~ copies of the Feasibility Study Report to the City. ° ~ ^~ ~_ ~, ~~~~ `-~ 1 0 o ° '-~~' .~ -_ ~ '~ _ °; ° ° 1 6 --~--~=1 -~ I ,:° t ) P ° ~n ~ ~ ° ° gat°~~ L-/ p~O~D 1 ° ° ° 0 r PROPOS» , CDiRffRSTONE /MJNNETONKA MILLS ~ ~ TCN?.'IiOM6 JI 6 0 o '- i 9• ~ ~ .,. .r-~-- ~ ° . ° , ~ . ; ~--- , 5 I I T i ~~~ J I ~ 1 I ~ ADD TO TOWNHCME DEVELCPMENi ~• ;~\\LLS ~~ ~` r_ I a RFLOCiTE .~~ n MINNETONlU C SIDEWALK MILLS ROAD i h ° oo / ~~ I i /~~ ADD NB & ~ LEFT 'RJRN V •~ _ ST •tE e~M .. _ _ _ --~ - ®~1~-`- S X -~ I ,-~! 1 , ~ o I ° i ~ a m ... ~..~ ~~e.~ RECOMMENDED ACTIONS C.5.4H.73~MINNETONIU MILLS CORRIDOR TR.~FFIC OPERATIONS NdALY515 CtTY OF ~~tINNEiONKA FIGURE 5 MEMORANDUM ~' T0: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Minnetonka City Council Honorable Mayor and Members of the Hopkins City Council THROUGH: David M. Childs, City Manager, City of Minnetonka Steven C. Mielke, City Manager, City of Hopkins FROM: Lee Gustafson, Director of Engineering, City of Minnetonka 9~~ - gZ©o DATE: October 29, 1996 SUBJECT: Potential Traffic lmprovements for Hopkins Crossroad (County Road 731 between Trunk Highway 7 and Minnetonka Boulevard (County Road 5) This memorandum is intended to provide both City Councils with background information on the traffic problems that currently exist on Hopkins Crossroad between Trunk Highway 7 and Minnetonka Boulevard. This memorandum also includes a traffic study prepared by SRF Consulting Group that further outlines the problems and discusses potential improvements to resolve them. Staff intends to review this information with both City Councils and help facilitate a discussion that would work toward resolving these traffic problems. Background This section of Hopkins Crossroad has historically had poor traffic circulation throughout the corridor, especially on both the north and south ends. The problems at the north end are generally during peak rush hours and are a result of the lack of a traffic signal to expedite the traffic movement through the Minnetonka Boulevard intersection. The problems at the south end are caused by a variety of factors such as a lack of left turn lanes for northbound and southbound traffic on County Road 73 at Trunk Highway 7, short stacking distances, and the close proximity of streets intersecting County Road 73 near Trunk Highway 7. The traffic problems associated with Hopkins Crossroad were recently studied by SRF Consulting Group as a part of a traffic study they performed for a proposed town home development on Minnetonka Mills Road, east of Hopkins Crossroad. Although their study concluded that the proposed town home development would not have a significant negative traffic impact to this area, the report further concluded that the following improvements should be made to Hopkins Crossroad to address the existing traffic problems: 1. Improve intersection geometries and install a traffic signal at Minnetonka Boulevard and Hopkins Crossroad. Potential Traffic Improvements for Hopkins Crossroad October 29, 1996 Page 2 2. Realign Minnetonka Mills Road to the north to align with 5th Street North in Hopkins. 3. Add left turn lanes for northbound and southbound Hopkins Crossroad traffic at Trunk Highway 7. These improvements would also include constructing a median on Hopkins Crossroad north of Trunk Highway 7 to the relocated Minnetonka Mills Road intersection. The Minnetonka City Council reviewed this traffic study on October 14 as part of the town home development review. The City Council determined that these traffic problems needed io' be addressed as soon as possible, and subsequently authorized the preparation of a feasibility report to provide further details on the proposed improvements. As part of the feasibility report process, the City Council directed staff to work with the City of Hopkins, Hennepin County, MnDOT, and area property owners to review all the potential issues. Hennepin County currently has the Minnetonka Boulevard/Hopkins Crossroad intersection ranked number one on their list of unsignalized intersections needing a traffic signal. In the County's ranking process, this intersection has 50 percent more points qualifying it for a signal than the number two intersection on the list. The reason for the high ranking is that this intersection has a high daily traffic count, and also a high accident rate. The accident rate at this intersection is over double the County's average for other four-way stop intersections on their system. Need for improvements The need for these improvements are clearly pointed out in the SRF traffic report and also in the above information. It is obvious that the Hopkins Crossroad intersections with Trunk Highway 7, Minnetonka Mills Road/5th Street North, and Minnetonka Boulevard would receive the most benefits from an improvement project. However, as pointed out in the traffic report, all the intersections along Hopkins Crossroad would receive some benefit, even though no physical improvements would occur at these intersections. This is due to the four-way stop at Minnetonka Boulevard currently creating uniform traffic flow with short gaps between vehicles. The short gap situation between vehicles provides limited opportunity for other vehicles attempting to turn onto Hopkins Crossroad. A traffic signal at this intersection would provide gaps in the traffic allowing both Hopkins and Minnetonka residents easier access to Hopkins Crossroad. • Potential Traffic Improvements for Hopkins Crossroad October 29, 1996 Page 3 Project Implementation Many of the improvements identified within the SRF traffic study do not need to be made at the same time as the other improvements. Figure 5 in the traffic study illustrates the improvements identified for the Trunk Highway 7 area. As can be seen by looking at this illustration, many of these improvements can be constructed individually, or as a group. For example, the Minnetonka Mills Road realignment can occur by itself (without signalization), or with another project. This type of situation is also true for the proposed signal system at Hopkins Crossroad and Minnetonka Boulevard. A possible schedule for implementing these improvements may be similar to the following: 1997......... Realign Minnetonka Mills Road to align with 5th Street North in Hopkins. 1998......... Construct signal system and geometric improvements at Hopkins Crossroad and Minnetonka Boulevard. 1999......... Construct intersection improvements at Hopkins Crossroad and Trunk Highway 7. Project Funding All of the improvements identified within the traffic report should be eligible to receive Municipal State Aid funds. Both cities should therefore not have to rely on general tax dollars to fund any of these improvements. Hennepin County and MnDOT would also participate to some degree on all of the improvements, with the exception of the Minnetonka Miffs Road realignment. The County's current funding policy for signal systems, as in the case of Minnetonka Boulevard, is 25 percent County, 37.5 percent Minnetonka, and 37.5 percent Hopkins. This cost participation for the signal components equates to about $40,000 for each of the two cities. A more detailed cost estimate will be included in the feasibility report that SRF is currently working on. Recommendation Every improvement identified in the traffic study, whether constructed individually or as a group, provides a benefit to the entire corridor, as well as to both cities. Since some improvements can be constructed easier than others, it is recommended that both Councils consider constructing the improvements in a phased method instead of trying to tie all the improvements together. A phased improvement schedule such as this will provide immediate relief to some of the existing problems, and also be less disruptive to area residents. Consulting Group , Inc . Transportation + Civil • Structural • Environmental • Planning • Traffic • Landscape Architecture • Parking SRF No. 0952448 MEMORANDtlM TO: Tom Goodrum, Project Planner City of Minnetonka FROM: Charleen Zimmer, AICP, Principal Jeff Bednar, Senior Traffic Engineering Specialist DATE: August 8, 1996 SUBJECT: TRAFFIC STUDY/PRELIMINARY FINDINGS CSAH 73/MINNETONKA MILLS ROAD CORRIDOR TRAFFIC OPERATIONS ANALYSIS i ~: 8 ~ :, ~. E._, , ~/~~. As you requested, we have completed a traffic operations analysis for the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 73/Minnetonka Mills Road corridor between Trunk Highway (TH) 7 and CSAH 5 (Minnetonka Boulevard) with a focus on the CSAH 73/Minnetonka Mills Road intersection (Figure i). Based on this work the following findings/conclusions and recommendations are offered for your consideration: Existing Cortditiorts The most critical intersections within the CSAH 73 study corridor are the intersections of CSAH 73 (Hopkins Crossroad) at TH 7, Minnetonka Mills Road and Minnetonka Boulevard (Figure 1). Study area features are shown in Figure 2. CSAH 73 and TH 7 Existing traffic operations at CSAH 73 and TH 7 are at acceptab{e levels for the TH 7 approaches, but are at unacceptable levels on the CSAH 73 approaches. The need for northbound and southbound left tum lanes is especially evident during the peak periods. Traffic accidents at this intersection are occurring at a rate of 1.0 accidents per million entering vehicles (1992-1994). The proximity of the TH 7 north frontage road intersection and the property access to CSAH 73 in the CSAH 73lTH 7 intersection area are also factors that contribute to vehicular conflict, congestion, delay and traffic accident experience within this intersection area (Figures 3 and 4). SRF Consulting Group, Inc. One Carlson Parkway North, Suite 150, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55447-4443 Telephone (612) 475-0010 + Fax (612) 475-2424 An Equal Opportunity Employer ;~ ~. v ~~~ ~~ i Y ~ _a Y a CO ao, N 93~~ B,,~o J \~ `~ 4~ OBINW001 CIR. ~Q~ ~~ M4'Q! \ ~ ° ~4 sy90r ~~~~ ~~©O p4~ U= ~~ BRUR ~eroWiinytryup, Lac N. "~ _ S „~: J 4. F-. N °_ cs 61 ~~... ~, o a ~`~, ~~~,. # ~ ~ ~ z J`` ~ 1993 M.S.A.S.TRAFFIC VaLIIMES ~ti J~ ~p : _ a RO 4 ~ MINNET~NKA cL ~ .m..m ., rn BRIARWOOD tm+xssoTn nepnrt're~trr oe txaeauroarnnort r~~pp ~ ~ WCitiC[BR10 ~J[Vf® ~M910N IZO ~ ~ t! VAR ~ ~°_ NTt~Wt AIOIWL WV.T Tla/IIO r Q ~O• ~ TOLipRd lQf.VN R TWMpf@tATMN YCN® Y PWtifiM WNnGi1R(~ dWOGiI 1 JAMES c° ~~ ,~.M..Ol91,T.Q{9, ~~. ~ ~ ? La. I~1 ~ 1~lTW/CTOYOR `- NORTH • CITY OF MINNETONKA STUDY CORRIDOR CSAH 73/MINNETONKA MILLS ROAD CORRIDOR. TRAFFIC STUDY _-~--- V l[ 8- a N d °c N ,_ ~ _ v - io D - Vi °_ N . ~~- •;~ ~- ~,~~ L.s ~ ~w ~4a .{ar a ~.,.~'' - ~ _ _~ .- c '~ cQ. :OL _-- U v~ ~ ;3.i _ _ ~$ ~ -_ - z _ - -= ~ cn -~ . _ o _- - ~_- F ~z -_._ ~... _ N x o .. _ __ . ' ..,' _.. O ~1 w ~` ~ ~~_ ° z Ly.< ~d z F::~. ,...~ -~ s = +"i"x Q I/1 w~~ ~ / J _- ti -; _ ,~- n "'~ 4F ^` U -\ \_ i n -~1 d 3z B u ItiXISiING (~IlIOP{S ~ PBAI( ~ I f ~ 54B I I = ~~ I t ~ t I I I I I I I I I Ki!{A tIII.LS ~ 1 ~ t It 7B 1 I I I I I I I 1552 I t I 1 I I ~ II 4 4 ~- 238 I I I I I I ~, 18 ~~ I I L I I I s '- 694 t~i I ~ i t I r 36 HWY.7 ___ _ _~ r it 279'-'~ I I I 1486 `' I I I 15 "z I I ~ t 1 I 78 ~ I 1 ~ NORTH FROM COUNTS TAKEN MAY AND JUNE 1996. CITY OF MlNNETONKA EXISTING AM PEAK HOUR VOLUMES c...~w~ac..,~e. ur. CSAH 731MINNETONKA MILLS ROAD CORRIDOR~TRAFFIC STUDY -J O ~teTSw: t~IiLtXiS Pl1 PEAR -HIILR t I ~ 435 I I I I 1~ ~ t I 1 1 I I Fj 1 l f 1 l~ I nixA nuts , , I I 18B 1 I I I I I I 148'z I I t I I I I 285 I 1 I 745 296 ~ I t I , , ~~~ I I t 89 ~ I I I +-1~ Itl I tl t ~ r ~ HWY, 7 -------- - -~, -------- -. ~- -------- .._ -------- 26B"s I I I I I~I 987'"'' t t I I I I ~ 18 = t 1 t I I 172 5 I I 421 II N® FROM COUNTS TAKEN MAY AND JUNE 1996. CITY OF MINNETONKA EXISTING PM PEAK HOUR VOLUMES Cm.WYe6 ~'°W~~ CSAH 73/MINNfiTONKA MILLS ROAD CORRjDOR~TRAFFtC STUDY Tom Goodrum - 6 - August 8, 1996 The eastbound Minnetonka Mills Road left toms at this intersection are currently operating at Level of Service F. These turns are very difficult to complete. The northbound and southbound approaches are operating at acceptable levels of service (see capacity analyses in Appendix) (Figures 3 and 4). The spacing between this key intersection and the intersection of CSAH 73 at TH 7 is very close, with only about 275 feet separating these intersections. Queues developing on the southbound approach of CSAH 73 to TH 7 often spilt back to and beyond Minnetonka Mills Road. The current traffic volumes at this intersectien may satisfy the warrants for traffic signal control. However, due to the close spacing of this intersection to TH 7, it would be d'rfficuk to effectively operate a traffic signal at this location. Existing accident data for the intersection of CSAH 73 with Minnetonka Mills Road has been reviewed. The three-year accident rate at this intersection is 1.78 accidents per million vehicles entering (ANNE} the intersection. The accident rate for similar unsignalized T-intersections within Hennepin County (1991-1993) is 0.49 AMVE. in general, the most predominant accident type involves vehicles on northbound CSAH 73 attempting to turn left onto Minnetonka Mills Road that collide with vehicles in the southbound CSAH 73 through lanes during the peak periods. The next most predominant accident type involves vehicles on eastbound Minnetonka Mifis Road attempting to turn left onto northbound CSAH 73 that collide with vehicles in either the northbound or southbound CSAH 73 through lanes during the peak periods. -~ ~ __ _. Also included in this study was the intersection of CSAH 73 and 5th Street in Hopkins, located just north of the Minnetonka Mills Road intersection. .The proximity of these intersection forms an offset intersection configuration. The existing four-way stop controlled intersection of CSAH 73 and Minnetonka Boulevard is also operating at very poor levels of service. This intersection is currently ranked very high on Hennepin County's traffic signal project priority ranking. The three year (1992-1994} accident rate at this intersection is 1.17 accidents per million entering vehicles. t ~ ~ . ~~. .; ~. _1 1 \• _, Tom Goodrum - 7 - August 8, 1996 Northbound queues developing from this four-way stop controlled intersection often spill back to the Minnetonka Mills Road intersection area. Traffic leaving this intersection southbound on CSAH 73 is metered by the four-way stop, creating unfformly distributed short headways in the traffic flow downstream. These gaps are too short to allow neighborhood traffic (Robinwood Terrace, Oakvale Road, etc.) to turn to or from CSAH 73 safely. These neighborhoods do not have any other access except via CSAH 73. Issues between the City of Minnetonka, Hennepin County and the City of Hopkins have delayed the installation of traffic signal control at this intersection for many years. The provision of a signal and turn lanes at Minnetonka Boulevard would reduce the queues significantly, and would provide gaps for safes toms to and from fogf streets. Local street intersections on CSAH 73 such as Oakvale Road, Robinwood Terrace and others between Minnetonka Mills Road and Minnetonka Boulevard are also experiencing poor levels of service. The left turns leaving the adjacent neighborhoods at these intersections are especially difficult due to the queuing and uniformly distributed short headways between vehicles on CSAH 73 caused by the four-way stop at Minnetonka Boulevard (CSAH 5) and CSAH 73. Also included in this study was a review of the intersection of Minnetonka Mills ."~~~ ~ Road and the roadway serving the Country ~Ilage Shopping Center. Avery heavy westbound to southbound (left turn into Country ~Ilage) and northbound to eastbound (right turn out of Country Vllage) travel pattern was observed at this intersection. Operational levels of service are at acceptable levels. Pedestrian activity throughout the corridor, but especially near Minnetonka Mills Road, was moderate with 1'rttle or no pedestrian facilities available. There is some use of the corridor by school buses. Wdh a higher occurrence of traffic accidents throughout the study corridor, concern related to school bus use of the corridor has been expressed by neighbofiood residents. Particular concern has been expressed related to•southbound left-turning school buses at the CSAH 73/north TH 7 frontage road intersection. No data is available regarding the number of school buses making this move. The City should request that school buses use 5th Street or TH 7 to access Eisenhower School rather than the north frontage road. .n-+ I Tom Goodrum - 6 - August 8, 1996 Future Conditions Traffic volumes throughout the corridor are expected to grow at moderate levels reflecting development and redevelopment within and adjacent to the study area. These developments include West Ridge Market and other development in the northwest and the northeast quadrants at the CSAH 73 and 1-394 interchange, Cedar Hills, the Comerstone/Minnetonka Mills townhomes, and redevelopment in downtown Hopkins. Traffic forecasts were developed for the study area corridor based on this development and redevelopment, plus other background growth in traffic volume throughout the corridor. Also considered was the rote that CSAH 73 plays as an alternate route when congestion on TH 169 is sign"sficant. Hennepin County has provisionally included in their five year capital improvement plan a project to improve intersection geometries and install traffic signal corrtrol at the intersection of CSAH 73 and Minnetonka Boulevard. There are, however, issues that remain related to differences between the City of Minnetonka, Hennepin County and the City of Hopkins on the need and funding for this project. Beyond this spot improvement, no other projects are planned or programmed within the study area corridor. Recommended Actions The City of Minnetonka, MntDOT, Hennepin County and the City of Hopkins should meet to discuss and review traffic operations within the study area corridor, and to agree on mftigative actions and improvements. These mitigative actions and improvements should include: Improve intersection geometries and installation of traffic signal control at the intersection of CSAH 73 and Minnetonka Boulevard (as proposed by Hennepin County). ' 2. Relocate Minnetonka Mills Road to the north to concur with the existing intersection of 5th Street in Hopkins (Figure 5). Intersection geometric improvements (including north and southbound (eft-turn lanes on CSAH 73) and a traffic signal should be added at this relocated n ^!1 ~_ sd~ IM J RECOMMENDED ACTIONS C.SAH.7'.~/MINNE{'ONKA MIllS ~~~~~ ~ CORRIDOR TRAFFIC OPERATIONS ANALYSIS CITY OF MINNETONKA FIGURE 5 Tom Goodrum -10 - August 8,1996 intersection. Due to the potential for increasing the size of the development site because of land acquisition, negotiation with Comerstone/Minnetonka Mills townhomes on right-of-way acquisition may be desirable. 3. With traffic signal control on CSAH 73 at Minnetonka Boulevard and at Minnetonka Mills Road, traffic problems at tfie focal residential street intersections should improve signficantfy. These two new traffic signals wilt provide larger and more frequent gaps in the traffic stream on CSAH 73 making it easier to turn to and from CSAH 73. 4. The northbound and southbound approaches of CSAH 73 to TH 7 should be improved to provide northbound and southbound le# turn lanes and be reconstructed to provide a channelized (median island) divided section from TH 7 to the relocated Minnetonka Mils Road intersection. This divided roadway would restrict the north frontage road and property ~ '~ access in the intersection area to right in/out only access. This improvement would reduce the vehicle conflict, congestion, delay and accident potential associated with the existing conditions. It is possible right-of-way acquisition may be required to accomplish these improvements. 5. Pedestrian/trail facilities should be included throughout the study corridor where right-of-way and construction opportunities permit. Recommendations are shown in Figure 5 and include: (1) signed bike lanes along Minnetonka Mills Road, (2) elevated crosswalks (to increase visibility and slow traffic) at the access to Country Yliage Shopping Center, (3) pedestrian crosswalks at the proposed CSAH 73/Minnetonka Mills Road signalized intersection, and (4) a sidewalk along the west of CSAH 73 between Minnetonka Mills Road and the crosswalk at TH 7. Should you have any questions or comments concerning this traffic operations review, please contact us. CA7JJRB:bba \ Minnetonka Police Department Traffic Statistics Traffic citations issued on Hopkins Crossroad in the area between Minnetonka M'sl4s Road and Minnetonka Blvd. -January 1, 1995 -March 14, 1996 Speed citations 15 Seat belt violations 1 No proof of insurance 3 Registration violations 6 Traffic accidents between Mtka. Milts Rd. and Mtka. Btvd. where the street intersects Hopkins Crossroads: 1995 - 3114196 1994 1993 Minnetonka Mills Road 9 5 9 Oakvale Road S. 1 1 1 Oakvale Road N. 1 1 0 Robinwood 0 2 0 Oakton Ridge 0 0 0 Royzelle Lane 0 _ 1 0 '~ Farm Lane 0 1 0 Fairway Drive 1 0 3 Minnetonka Blvd. 13 10 15 Total 25 22 28 Total accidents in City 1450 1420 1337 ,q 45-- ~-