08-11-2003 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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The intersection Level of Service is less than desirable during the peak traffic hours for the Willow Drive approaches. Level of Service is an industry’ standard measurement of the functioning of roads and intersections and is designated by a letter grade with A being the best and F the worst designation. During the peak traffic hours, the Willow Drive approaches are functioning at a D Level of Service. This designation is based on the length of the traffic queues as during peak hours about 10 vehicles are slacked at each stop sign. Intersectioii Improvements Intersection Construction Improvements and Traffic Sienal Installation The feasibility study contains several recommendations for construction improvements to the intersection which include replacement of the hazardous bypass lanes on County Road 6 with safer left turn lanes; the provision of left turn, through traffic, and right turn lanes at all four intersection approaches; and lowering the grade several feet on the east County Road 6 approach to improve the sight distance for Willow Drive traffic. A future traffic signal is also recommended for this intersection, and there have been several traffic counts at this intersection to conduct a traffic signal warrant nnalvsis. There are slightly different numbers between the Bonestroo Engineer's trafTic counts and Hennepin County's traffic counts. Depending on which traffic counts are used, it appears that the int ^section currently either meets signal warrants or is very close to meeting the warrants. However, the installation of a traffic signal is not recommended without completion of the intersection construction improvements. The estimated feasibility study cost for the completion of intersection improvements and traffic signal installation is $825,000. These improvements are eligible for Municipal State Aid funding by the City of Orono. There are also ongoing discussions between the Cities of Orono and Medina regarding the potential for funding a portion of these costs by a developer who is proposing a new 21-lot subdivision adjacent to Willow Drive in the City Medina. Based on our preliminary discussions with Hennepin County Transportation Staff, it appears that this intersection ranks low- on the County ’s priority ranking for capital improvement projects. The staff recommendation is for Council approval of this feasibility study and authorization for City statTto present this study to the Hennepin County Transp>ortation Department for review and to begin discussions for a future intersection reconstruction and traffic signal project. Four Wav Stop Condition Several intersection improvements are discussed in the feasibility study for possible implementation. At this time, the feasibility study recommendation is that Four-Way stop signs be installed at the intersection. In order for traffic control devices such as stop signs or traffic signals to be installed certain traffic level conditions, or Warrants, need to be satisfied. Satisfaction of these Warrants Page 2 of 3 jfe