08-08-06 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Delaune inquired if there were any thoughts about tying elements from south of the I-694 bridge, such as the monuments, into this area. Horn replied that some elements will be pulled in. Delaune indicated that he is concerned that the design is isolated, and not connected to the community. He is also worried that it will take twenty years to rebuild the bridge and thinks that it would help the community to understand the project better if there is a master plan showing the northern and southern portions of Old Highway 8 and how the bridge may look when it is replaced, so residents will know what the full plan will be. Wyffels replied that the bridge will probably not take twenty years to replace, but may take ten to twelve years until I-694 is upgraded. Harreld inquired about the potential to put in a separate pedestrian bridge. Horn replied that would be a possibility, although it would be expensive to build a separate bridge. Harreld noted that several other communities in the area have pedestrian bridges. Horn added that there is federal funding available; however it is a very competitive process. Wyffels noted that the City had looked into retrofitting the bridge, however MnDOT stated that the whole bridge will be demolished when I-694 is redone. The City had also looked into replacing the bridge; however MnDOT could not give a definite date on when the City could expect repayment. Kaufhold asked if a pedestrian walk could be added to the existing bridge. Horn replied that securing the bridge would be just as expensive as putting in a new one. Harmon suggested that in the balance between the cost and the users,pedestrians may come up short. Delaune suggested that bridge issue won't go away. Sculthorp inquired how this road design will fit in with the rest of the streets in the City. Larson replied that the street will look very similar to Silver Lake Road. Horn stated that because the road has turn lanes, it will need to maintain the proposed median and the median could be painted or landscaped. Flahave inquired if the redesign will continue up to Highway 96. Wyffels replied that it does not go up that far. Black added that the area being redeveloped will be largely residential with denser development, and the road should function for that type of development. However, north of this development is the park and an industrial area and the road does not need to look or function the same way here. He added that there is an agreement with the developers for the City to improve the road. Fernelius stated that there is nothing preventing the City on creating a design to improve the road up to Highway 96; however he does not want to lead anyone to believe that area will be redone,because the City has no plans to redo the road past the Long Lake Park entrance. Harmon asked how the bike lane would be included in the development if not on Old Highway 8. Wyffels stated that the trails throughout the development will be eight to nine feet wide and will accommodate pedestrians and bikers. Fernelius added that there will be access to the development under the freeway. Wyffels stated that there are numerous ways to get to the development, though some of them may not be ideal. Motion by Stang, seconded by Flahave, to recommend Option 2, no bike lanes, for the Old Hwy 8 reconstruction. All approved.