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May 19, 2009 OPKIN Council Report 2009 -042
Engineering Study — 6th Avenue S. Closure
Proposed Action
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move that Council adopt
Resolution 2009 -029 Accepting recommendation of the engineering study relating to o the
closing of 6th Avenue South.
Overview
On January 12, 2009, residents of 6 Avenue South filed a petition with the City asking
that the street be closed near 2 nd Avenue South. The purpose of the closure is to reduce
traffic, especially commercial vehicles on this street. On May 3, 2009, in accordance
with Legislative Policy 8 -A, Council authorized said study which is now complete.
Traffic counts were taken between April 15 -17, 2009. The average daily traffic was 460
vehicles per day. According to the traffic counting software, 15 appeared to be buses and
35 appeared to be commercial vehicles. The remaining 420 vehicles were cars, pickup
trucks and motorcycles. These volumes are very low. The commercial vehicles were
active generally between 10 AM and 5 PM with no more than 4 in any hour, or 1 every
15 minutes on average.
2 Street South is a commercial /industrial area that generates commercial traffic. This
traffic utilizes 6 th , 7th, and 8 Avenues for access to 2 nd Street S. Closure of this street
would push some of the commercial traffic onto 7 Avenue S, which is similar in
character to 6 Avenue S. Additionally, a portion of the car traffic would also be pushed
to 7 Avenue S. It is likely that these residents are currently impacted in a similar way as
the 6 Avenue residents. Pushing traffic onto this street would increase this impact.
The proximity of 2 nd Street S. to Excelsior Boulevard poses geometric problems to
pushing traffic to 8 Avenue S. With the upcoming changes that will likely occur with
the light rail station at 8 and Excelsior, these issues may be resolved with a
reconfiguration of the intersection. However, we will not know until the planning work
is complete for the 8 Avenue corridor over the next couple of years.
From an engineering standpoint, we find that the commercial vehicle impact does not
warrant the closing of this street. Additionally, from an equity standpoint, closing this
street would increase the traffic impact to the adjacent residential street. Additionally,
the uncertainty surrounding the intersection of 8 Ave and 2nd St. suggests that
eliminating options for traffic flow may not be prudent. We therefore recommend not
closing 6 Avenue South.
n R. Bradford, P.E.
City Engineer
Financial Impact: $ 0 Budgeted: Y/N N/A Source: Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.):
Notes:
CITY OF HOPKINS
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2009 -029
RESOLUTION ADOPTING RECOMMENDATIONS
ENGINEERING STUDY ON THE CLOSURE OF 6 TH AVENUE SOUTH
WHERAS, the City received a petition from residents of 6 Avenue South to close 6th
Avenue South near 2nd Street South, and
WHEREAS, the City authorize staff to complete a study of the proposed action, and the
report is now complete, and
WHEREAS, this report recommends that the street not be closed at this time,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Hopkins,
Minnesota, that the recommendations of the report be adopted and that 6 Avenue South shall
remain open to traffic.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hopkins, Minnesota, this 19 day of May, 2009.
Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor
ATTEST:
Terry Obermaier, City Clerk