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1992-04-13 Council minutesPage No. 3291 April 13, 1992 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Adjourned Meeting of the City Council Held Monday, April 13, 1992 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the special meeting of the City Council was held at 7:00 o'clock P.M. at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. The following Councilmembers were present: Mayor Mertensotto, Councilmembers Blesener, Cummins and Smith. Councilmember Koch was excused. Also present were Administrator Lawell, Public Works Director Danielson, City Engineer Eckles, MnDOT representatives Van Berkum, Voelker, Elasky and Caroon. Also present were representatives from Mendota - Mayor Toye, Councilmember Galias and several members of the public. MENDOTA INTERCHANGE PROJECT Administrator Lawell introduced the subject for the evening, and all participants introduced themselves. Mayor Mertensotto indicated that this meeting is an adjourned meeting of the City Council as per Council's direction on April 7, 1992. Mr. Elasky provided background information on the project and related the history of MnDOT's involvement in this project. He stated that the first phase of the project is due to be let in June 1992, and therefore timing issues are critical with respect to project design. Mr. Van Berkum reviewed the plans as they currently are drawn, and specifically addressed those areas of concern highlighted by the City Council on April 7th. Mr. Van Berkum placed an overlay on the plans to show the design difficulties caused by the suggested changes of the City. With respect to the turning movement from north bound Highway 55 to east bound Highway 110, Mr. Van Berkum indicated a 30 mile per hour curve was indicated on the revised overlay, and that an 1, 800 foot distance would be necessary in which to merge the turning traffic into the main line of traffic on Highway 110. In order to accomplish this, the new intersection on Highway 110 would have to be moved considerably east. Mr. Elasky indicated that interchange is the main access to the City of Mendota, and that moving the intersection east might make access to Mendota more difficult. In addition, it was pointed out that the width of right-of- way narrows as you proceed east on Highway 110. Thus, Page No. 3292 April 13, 1992 the relocation of the intersection is very difficult to accomplish. In response to Councilmember Blesener' s question, Mr. Van Berkum explained the driving lane configuration as traffic progresses across the Mendota Bridge and heads east bound on Highway 110. Representatives from the City of Mendota asked a number of questions regarding the necessity of moving the intersection further east, and its impact on the access into Mendota. Mr. Elasky explained how access would be provided to Mendota, and commented that it was MnDOT's intent that this access would be closed for as little time as possible during construction. Mr. Caroon explained that the Soo Line Railroad right -of - way issue is still being negotiated. Due to the length of the process, MnDOT is attempting to negotiate a long term lease for the right-of-way in order to build the project without accommodating the rail link. Mayor Mertensotto commented that it has been reported that MnDOT will save approximately $5 to $7 million by designing the rail line out of the project. MnDOT intends to aggressively pursue permanent acquisition of the right-of-way, and realizes it is taking a calculated risk in building the project as it is presented. Mr. Van Berkum commented on the usefulness of providing a bridge or a tunnel under the new Highway 110 intersection in order to accommodate the turn off lane from north bound Highway 55 to east bound Highway 110. Based on the traffic projections for this turning movement, and recognizing the fact that the bridge/tunnel would not accommodate the reverse movement, he stated that the efficiency and effectiveness of this suggested revision was not good. Councilmember Blesener commented that the traffic projections in this area do not appear to take into account future development of the property. She suggested the traffic projections in this area be reviewed in light of planned future development. In response to a question, Mr. Elasky commented that Phase I of the project includes the new alignment of Highway 13, along with the frontage roads in the area, for a total value of approximately $3 million. A representative from Acacia Cemetery, Mr. Carl Cummins, Jr., conveyed access concerns as they relate to Acacia Page No. 3293 April 13, 1992 Park Cemetery. He stated that 1/3 of the Cemetery's business was derived from walk in traffic, and stated that 75 percent of all burials originated in St. Paul and accessed the Cemetery via the Mendota Bridge. He stated that he has been working with MnDOT to develop an adequate signage plan to protect the visibility of the Cemetery. He stated the Cemetery has never been in favor of the Acacia bridge crossing over Highway 55, and rather would prefer a off ramp off of Highway 55 onto Acacia Boulevard. In response to a question from Councilmember Blesener, Mr. Elasky indicated that an at grade intersection at Acacia Boulevard and Highway 55 was not possible. Mr. Elasky indicated that the present Acacia bridge design was intended to help keep funeral procession traffic off of the through roadways as much as possible. A number of various off ramp options at Acacia Boulevard were discussed. Mr. Van Berkum discussed the grade differentials in the area and showed grade profiles to indicate the impact such revisions would cause. In reference to the north bound Highway 55 to east Highway 110 movement, Councilmember Blesener suggested that the frontage road link intended to accommodate this traffic be made more smooth - eliminating the 90 degree turns where possible and substituting more gentle curves. Mr. Elasky commented because this frontage road is in Phase I of the project, this change will make it difficult to meet the June bid letting. With respect to the Acacia bridge, Councilmember Cummins asked if MnDOT would be in favor of deleting the bridge in order to save costs. Mr. Elasky indicated no, that MnDOT would prefer the bridge be left in place because it serves as an important component of the overall roadway design in the area. Mendota Councilmember Galias noted that the Mendota Bridge will be closed this fall, and any delay in the adjacent project area will contribute to a greater delay in opening the roadways to full traffic. Councilmember Blesener commented that if the Acacia bridge issue is separate from the Highway 55/Highway 110 connection issue, she would prefer the Acacia bridge remain a part of the project. In response to a question, Mr. Van Berkum indicated the Page No. 3294 Apti,! 1,3, 1992 speed limit on the main roads would be 55 miles per hour, while the frontage roads would generally be .signed for 35 miles per hour. Where the frontage roads immediately abut single family homes, the speed limit could perhaps be lowered to 30 miles per hour. Councilmember Smith stated she would like to see the project revised to include a left turn lane on the frontage road east at Highway 55 to accommodate traffic hearing west on Acacia Boulevard. Carl Cummins, Jr. suggested that the Acacia Cemetery would be in favor of retaining the Acacia bridge only if appropriate signage were included to adequately direct motorists to the Cemetery, and if Acacia Boulevard could be renamed Acacia Cemetery Boulevard. Mayor Toye asked what would occur if the Cities of Mendota and Mendota Heights did not formally approve the project plans. Mr. Elasky indicated that MnDOT needs approval of both Cities, otherwise the Metropolitan Council would become involved in the process and would perhaps delay the project for as much as two years. He indicated that MnDOT would look at incorporating the frontage road suggestions into the project, and would seek to include a left turn lane where the frontage road connects with the Acacia bridge over Highway 55. It was concluded that MnDOT would resubmit plans for the revised layout for the Mendota Heights City Council meeting for April 21, 1992. In response to a question from Councilmember Smith, Mr. Elasky indicated that MnDOT would be very responsive in dealing with the City in the future concerning speed limits and signage requirements. There being no further business, the Council adjourned at 9:20 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, Tom Lawell City Administrator