10-14-2002 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

r.n, REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION ” **CPTING I 4 2002 C»TyoFORo/Vo DATE: October 11,2002 ITEM NO: 2.^ DcpartL'icDt Approval: Name Roi. Moorsc Title City Administrator Administrator Reviewed:Agenda Section: City Administrator's Report Item Description: Options for Managing Traffic During the Highway 12 Project During the Highway 12 project, the number of north/south roads linking central Orono to current Highway 12 will be reduced by half. This will cause increased traffic congestion on those roads left open, particularly at their intersections with current Highway 12. There are a number of actions that can be taken to facilitate the flow of traffic under these congested conditions. One action is to add left turn arrows to the traffic signals at both Willow Drive and Old Crystal Bay Road at all legs of the intersections. As traffic gets heavier, those wanting to make left turns will have a more difficult time, and may tend to make less safe turns without a left turn signal. As congestion increases at the intt.'sections along current Highway 12, and as Orono Orchard Road is closed to through traffic at its north end for much of 2003, the residents in the area of Orono Orchard Road will have a difficult time using current Highway 12. It would be very helpful if County road 15 could be a viable alternative for them. Unfortunately, County Road 15 traffic level is so high that left turns from Orono Orchard Road onto County Road 15, particularly during peak traffic periods, are difficult or impossible. However, the traffic volumes at this intersection are not high enough to warrant a traffic signal. An option staff has begun to explore as a potential solution to the Orono Orchard Road access problem is the construction of a “round-about” at the intersection of Orono Orchard Road and County Road 15. A round-about is a circular intersection that eliminates traffic crossing at right angles in favor of circular weavuig movements. Staff would like to further pursue the round-about concept with the City ’s consultant Engineer and Hennepin County. COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED: Motion to authorize staff to pursue the left turn arrow additions to the traffic signals at theWillow Drive and Old Crystal Bay Road intersections, and to pursue the round-about concept.