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Jul y 8. 2014 Page30f7 City Manager Lotter indicated Beth Engum with Ramsey County would be presenting this item to the Report No. 14-178. ColU1cil. Beth Engum, Ramsey County stated a new interchange design was being proposed at Highway 96/I-35W. She reported the project was being led by Ramsey County. Ramsey County has hired SEH as the consultant to assist with the preliminary and final design of the project. Construction is anticipated to occur in 2015. This new interchange will provide improved freeway access to and from the northeast corner of New Brighton, while adding a safe trail crossing over I-35W. The County and their consultant have gone through a long process evaluating alternative designs for the new interchange. The alternative design is a Divergent Diamond Interchange (DDI). The new interchange will be constructed under traffic to maintain access during construction. She reviewed the final layout with the Council and provided a cost estimate for the project noting the City's expected contribution ($110,000). She reported there would be an agreement between the City and the County for this project. City Manager Lotter recommended the Council hold a public hearing, take comments, and adopt a Resolution approving the Final Layout of the proposed new interchange. Councilmember Burg asked how construction of the project would be phased . Ms. Engum explained the alignment would be shifted slightly to the north. This would allow for traffic to continue using the existing bridge while the new bridge was being constructed. She anticipated that the bridge would only be out for a handful of days. Councilmember Jacobsen asked if lane identification would be completed on the bridge. Ms. Engum stated this was the case. Councilmember Bauman thanked Ms. Engum for her report. She then reviewed a letter she received from MnDOT regarding the intersection at ofI-694 and I-35W. She reported that MnDOT has not programmed funds for I-35W for the next 20 years but was considering a managed lane. Mayor Jacobsen commented that driving along Highway 96, there have been delays from 1- 35W to Lexington Avenue. He questioned when the road construction on this stretch of roadway would be completed. Ms. Engum discussed the concrete patching being made to this roadway noting the work should be completed in three weeks. Motion by Councilmember Burg, seconded by Councilmember Jacobsen to open the Public Hearing. 5 Ayes, 0 Nays -Motion Carried The Public Hearing was opened at 6:57 p.m. Mayor Jacobsen asked for additional comments, there were none. Motion by Councilmember Burg, seconded by Councilmember Bauman to close the Public Hearing. 5 Ayes, 0 Nays -Motion Carried The Public Hearing was closed at 6:58 p.m. Motion by Councilmember Jacobsen, seconded by Councilmember Burg to adopt the Resolution approving the Final Layout of the Highway 96/I-35W Roadway and Interchange Project. 5 Ayes, 0 Nays-Motion Carried