CR 92-153 Cty Rd 3 Study
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. June 15, 1992 Cou~cil Report q~~(53
92-153
COUNTY ROAD 3 CORRIDOR STUDY
proposed Action.
Staff recommends the following motion: Move that Council accept
the County Road 3 Corridor Study Report as prepared bv Benshoof
and Associates.
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Overview
In December 1989 Council accepted findings in a Phase I study of
county Road 3 from Blake Road to T.H. 169 and authorized staff
with its consultant to conduct an in-depth analysis of various
alternatives. By July 1990 the City along with Hennepin County
entered into a cooperative agreement whereby county participation
of 50% of study costs was assured. Benshoof and Associates was
retained to prepare the corridor study that embodied in its
scope: 1) background and data collection; 2) evaluation of a new
railroad crossing at or near the T.H. 169 east ramp; 3)
evaluation of the roadway section and preparation of a concept
. layout from the railroad tracks eastward to Blake Road; 4)
evaluation of the various street intersections with County Road 3
, in the vicinity of T.H. 169; 5) preparation of a concept layout
for the entire corridor; 6) review and coordination with the
numerous agencies involved and a final report to the Council.
The task has been prolonged and at times arduous but now is
completed. Various agencies have reviewed a draft report and
Benshoof and Associates have incorporated their responses in the
final document. .
Primary Issues to consider
o What were the primary findings of the Phase II study?
o Where do we go from here?
SUDDorting Information
o Final draft Phase II study
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James Gessele
.; Engineering Superintendent
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CR92-153
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Analysis .
0 primary findings of the study.
The report breaks down the corridor study area into two
segments: 1) railroad crossing to Blake Road; 2) 5th Avenue
to railroad tracks. Recommendations for the first (east)
segment include widening of the roadway from 44 feet to 72
feet (two through lanes in either direction with an
additional center striped left turn lane). Acquisition of
additional right-of-way is required on either the north or
south side of the corridor, an issue that needs to be
addressed with an in-depth redevelopment/land use study.
The redevelopment study also should establish access
locations and resolve the stub north-south intersecting
rights-of-way. The schedule for implementing these
recommendations has already been established in the County's
current ClP.
Recommendations for the second (west) segment include
con~olidation of tracks crossing county Road 3 as much as
possible to minimize the distance required to cross all
tracks, roadway improvements at the track crossing to
enhance rideability. A detailed traffic plan is recommended
. once redevelopment proposals for the former Red Owl complex,
Hennepin County Public Works site, and/or the proposed LRT
station site at T.H. 169 are received. Redevelopment at any
one of these three sites will have impact on the need for a
vehicular crossing between properties north and south of the
'corridor. The report presents a concept plan for a
Milwaukee street/st. Louis street intersection at the
railroad crossing. The traffic engineer cautions against
embracing the concept fully at this time for various
factors: "
1. Mn/DOT has no previous experience with type of
intersection.
2. There is need to interconnect traffic signals with the
railroad to allow for preemption and clearing of the
tracks for a train.
3. Super Valu indicates this plan at the present time
would adversely effect parking, encroach on their
building and fuel tanks on the south side, and have a
negative impact on truck staging along Milwaukee street
and Washington Avenue.
0 Where do we go from here?
',. The City has already implemented some of the
recommendations. staff is currently coordinating a 1992-93
project with Hennepin County Public Works, Mn/DOT, Soo Line
and HCRRA for removal of trucks except one at the crossing
with County Road 3. This includes bituminous overlay over
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CR92-153
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affected roadway areas and new crossing controllers. In
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addition Council has already requested by resolution
inclusion of County Road 3 upgrading in the current County
CIP. Staff has already begun discussions for a land use and
redevelopment study for the ~ast, segment as suggested in the
report.
Staff recommends Council formally accept and adopt the
findings of this report and that it serve as a guide in
future plans for upgrading of County Road 3.
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