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Memo - Discusion of Slip Ramp H + � Ir1 L� IN1 � To: City Council and Zoning and Planning Commission From: Nancy Anderson Date: April 22, 2009 Subject: Discussion of Slip Ramp - For many years there has been discussion of a slip ramp from southbound 169 to Mainstreet. This slip ramp would abut Walser Chrysler podge property on the east side of Mainstreet. To accommodate the slip ramp, a cul-de-sac would be constructed on the east side of Mainstreet. The proposed slip ramp would require the east side of the old Hopkins Honda property to be acquired. The slip ramp would be on the south side of the single family homes and curve onto Mainstreet. Park Lane would also have a cul-de-sac � constructed, and Washington Avenue between Park Lane and First Street North would be vacated. Acquisition of property and improvements to the roads would be at the City's expense. . Attached is an aerial without the proposed slip ramp. The aerial was taken before Honda removed the Burger King and Used Car buildings. The second aerial shows the proposed slip ramp and the other changes to the abutting roads. Attachments • i I I >�� , � •� � 3. e , �"a"'. � �� t ,� k , a±��kiYi ;I �n� 4� � ,m i�l �� ' �, V ��yli ��" � ! i�i a � .., � i�dli j : ? �g C:� y � ' ��. �:" $; ia �; �� t� �.a � �I . �Vi�� I , 4i � `k � �� I .,, � � II I , � (' w� �'�' -�� J, � R�'k% �� t y�, '' � I ' I � ��.�. � �� ,� � �. � "� . ` � ' � �<" � � � �� ' : �� 1� �li � I ! I� �r t , �'-, � �� 'I , - e:z �; ��'."j� � �� "� � `$ �.., .''m„ u„� � 5 rw� �a •, v� „ ` " i . I � ��. � �. � k G, AC�• e ��. . • / - e y , .. . � �� . :, i ai �� , � �' , , �, ,,�.,, t. �� , &3 ,, u , -'.� 4II�� ` I I dk � � I ... l .l��.; , C . . . .. .. . . �. . . .. � t �, . \ . . . . . . .. . ; � . ,k.: `R I60' � . � � .,..----�. x � � , � � � � x r ��: :< .. . � � .. . ,.. �: , _, � ,. � . .,�,. . � .. � '�, . �,. �a " .'w, �. as" `' �' . £' .a :. `.. � ''� t � � f , , �� r �� . .�� g`. ^ � . �: _ . . . .e�x*e' � � �.,. ' . . �� I � I ^ K: ',f CITY OF HOPKINS � f =� V � Nov. 08 SB TH 169/MAINSTREET EXIT CONCEPT re�,k ,a.,,i.�.., mo. ,eoo vro�a.. o-e� c�i�, fIG. 1 R � Bnvl�enmaniW mflne�n uaVt. moh Mn °s�aa � � P � ► ' ,�. Wenck Associates, Inc. � � � : 1800 Pioneer Creek Center ,��,�, � � � P.O. Box 249 `�� =.�� Maple Plain, MN 55359-0249 w (763)479-4200 Fax (763) 479-4242 E-mail: wenckmp@wenck.com February 13, 2009 . Mr. Steve Stadler City of Hopkins 1010 First Street S. Hopkins, MN 55343 Re: Proposal to Provide Suppleinentary Services to Investigate Feasibility of Improved Access between TH 169 and Mainstreet Dear Steve: In response to your request, this is to submit our proposal to provide sup.plementary services to investigate the feasibility of direct access to Mainstreet from southbo�.uid TH 169. As follow- . up to a preliminary concept we developed last November, Wayiie Norris of Mn/DOT has provided an email response with multiple co�unents. In his response, Wayne expressed interest to gain more information regarding the following three items: 1) traffic volume that would use _ • the new access connection, 2) cost estimate for providing this new access, and 3) overall benefits, together with the cost/benefit relationship, for this potential new access. We concur these would be the next logical steps to accomplish if the City desires to continue investigating the feasibility of providing direct access to Mainstreet from southbound TH 169. To complete the three referenced items, we would accomplish the following work tasks: 1) Complete traffic surveys. The puipose of this task is to quantify two items: 1) cui7ent volume of traffic that enters the downtown area from the north on TH 169 by turning to the west on Excelsior Boulevard and then turning north at S Avenue, gtt, Avenue, 9 Avenue, or 11 t �' Avenue, and 2) travel times to enter the downtown area via the existing routes mentioned under �oint 1), as compared the travel times if direct access were provided to Mainstreet. The first step would be accomplished by "following" a sample of motorists who turn to the west on Excelsior Boulevard from the southbound TH 169 exit ramp. For budget purposes, we have assumed that this sample survey would be performed for a total of 10 hours, which could be distributed over a couple of days to encompass different time periods in which motorists are attracted to the downtown area. An automatic traffic volume recorder would be placed on the southbound to westbound ramp to record the total volume _ making this movement by hour for several days. With tliis total volume data, the results from the sample survey would be applied to estimate the total traffic volumes presently entering the downtown area via the routes described under point 1). The • second point would be accomplished by conducting a series of travel time runs along the existing routes and along the Mainstreet route that would be available if the new ramp corulection were provided. For budgeting puxposes, we have assumed these travel time runs would be perfonned for a total of nine hours. • Mr. Steve Stadler 2 February 13, 2009 , �,, 2) Estimate existing annual trips by route and travel time savings. The purpose of L this task is to compile the results from the first task. Estimates would be rnade regarding the total annual trips by each existing route, the portion of those trips that likely would divert to Mainstreet if a direct access connection were provided, and the annual travel time savings gained if direct access were provided to Ma.instreet. Travel distance savings also would be calculated. 3) Develop preliminary cost estimate to construct direct access to Mainstreet from southbound TH 169. As a first step in this task, we will speak with Wayne Norris to inquire about refinements to the concept plan he indicated in his email note would be needed. With that further information, we will refine the concept plan drawing as appropriate and then will develop a preliminary estimate of the cost to construct that plan. 4) Estimate additional benefits downtown area would gain through dire:ct access to Mainstreet from southbound�TH 169. In addition to improving access for existing trips entering the downtown area, it is clear direct access to Main.street would attract additional trips and would provide further benefits to the downtown � area. To hel estimate these further benefits, we would engage the firm of Maxfield p Research, Inc. as a sub-consultant. The Maxfield firm has strong experti��e and �'�, related experiences to quaiitify these supplementary benefits. Maxfield sl:aff would � use the traffic volume information from the prior tasks and would compile the following additional information regarding the downtown area: a) Obtain visitor counts for special events in the Downtown includin;; Raspberry Festival, Hopkiiis Center for the Arts, and other destiiiatio�i locations. b) Identify current and liistoric retail spending at businesses in Downtown Hopkins. c) Estimate projected growth in retail spending given economic slowdown and during normal conditions. d) Estimate current speilding generated by Hopkins residents and employees i versus visitors. Maxfield staff then would quantify the supplementary benefits through tY�e following steps: 7 icle destinations includin home a) From vehicle capture rates, estirnate veh �, , work, school, church, events, shopping, etc. . b) Identify proportion of new traffic that would benefit Downtown �[opkins ; businesses and organizations; ; c) Quantify the amount of retail spending that could be expected fro�n the increase in traffic to the Downtown. Provide estimates for short-teriYi (over the _ �, first three years) and long-term (beyond three years); � d) Assess qualitative benefits that may be derived over the long-ternl. e) Factor impact of current eeonomic slowdown and quantify benefi.ts to be derived under normal economic conditions. - - � ,... . � .., ..;::..�:: ; : _ i ,; : ,.:.,,... .; . Mr. Steve Stadler ; February 13, 2009 � 5) Complete cost/benefit correlation, meet with staff, and prepare a memo report. The first step in this task will be to apply the results from all preceding tasks to determine, on a preliminaYy basis, the overall cost/benefit relationship that.would occur if the new access connection were provided to Mainstreet. We then will meet wzth City staff to review all draft results. Accounting for comments expressed by City staff, we then will prepare a brief inemo z•eport to docnment the analyses performed and associated results. We wi11 complete our work in an expeditious manner. Specifically, if temperatures in the next cctuple of weeks are warm enough for the automatic traffic counts, we wi11 be ready to meet with staff to discuss our preliininary conclusions within five weeks after receiving authorization to proceed. Labor costs will be bilied on an hourly basis using the following rates: Project Manager -$172.00, Project Engineer -$152.00, Engineer II -$117.00, Assistant Engineer - $98.00, and Junior Engii�eer- $89.00. Our maxixnum estimated total cost to complete the scope of work described in this letter is $14,600, which represents the sum of the following individual task costs: task 1-$3,800, task 2-$1,900, task 3-$2,800, task 4-$2,600, and task 5-$3,SOQ. . We will coordinate closely witli you and will focus tightly on the specific issues in order to complete our work effectively and at minimal cost. Invoices will be submitted on a nlonthly basis for work performed in the prior month. Payment terms are �0 days from date of invoice. � Let me know whether these a.t are acceptable. We are enthused about this opportunity to provide supplementary services to ii�vestigate tile feasibility of direct access to Mainstreet from southbound TH 169. Sincerely, ' WENCK ASSOCIATES, INC. � James A. Bensl�o f �