PRECA 01-06-1988 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEMORANDUM. DATE: November 30, 1987 FROM: Brenda Krueger, .Community Development Specialist ~~ TO: New Brighton Park Board SUBJ: Highway 96 Task Force The Highway 96 Task Force met November 19, 1987. MnDOT has recommended some changes. to the schematic drawing of that portion of Highway 96 which is located in New Brighton . First, the .landscaped median would not be permitted. MnDOT's design standards for a .road such as Highway 96 prohibit such medians, citing safety concerns such as restricted sight distances and maintenance problems . Second, MnDOT concurs with Ramsey County and the communities along Highway.96 in the need for- a separated bike and pedestrian path the length of Highway 96. _ A combined bike/pedestrian path would be a minimum 8 feet wide. Across the I- 35W .bridge the path could be separated by a raised curb or fence. Along the roadway the path would be separated by a minimum 5 foot open area. I noted from the November 4, 1987 Park Board minutes a concern for locating • the bike/pedestrian path on the south side of Highway 96. The reasoning for locating the path on the south side was to connect with Arden Hills and Shoreview's plans to have MnDOT construct the path on the south side of Highway 96. Arden .Hills especially .has indicated no desire to locate .the path on the north side of Highway 96, adjacent to the Arsenal. As much as possible the Task Force would like to keep the bike/pedestrian trail on one side of Highway 96 to eliminate the need for bicyclist and pedestrians crossing the highway. I would like to request that the Park Board consider putting the bike/pedestrian path on the south side of Highway 96 and recommending some minimum barriers such as a raised curb and/or fence across the bridge and a minimum 5 feet of open grass area adjacent to the -road. Third, MnDOT recommends a four lane road instead of the five lane road shown on the drawing, that accommodates left hand turn lanes. MnDOT's traffic forecasts do not anticipate the need for five lanes . However, all of the communities along Highway 96, except for North. Oaks, are anticipating development along the highway. Specifically, New Brighton's Highway 8 Corridor Plan shows the City's desire for much more intensive development near the interchange of Highway 96 and Old Highway 8. The Task Force is working with Ramsey County and MnDOT on realistic traffic projections for Highway 96. Through the .Task Force the future lane needs of Highway 96 will be explored further. BK/pb