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RICHARD F. NOLAND <br />1395 ORONO LANE <br />WAYZAvTA. MINNESOTA 55391 ' <br />Januar)’ 21, 1997 <br />The Honorable Mayor Gabriel Jabbour and Orono Council Members <br />2750 Kelley Parkway <br />Orono, MN 55356 <br />Dear Madams/Sirs: <br />JAN 21 ISST <br />1 have three questions about the CSAH 15-Orono Lane/Orono Orchard Road intersection <br />reconstruction plans of Hennepin County approved by Mayor Callahan last December 9. <br />I'll be grateful for your written response, or f^or your redirection of this letter to the proper <br />authority at Hennepin County Public Works for their witten response. <br />1. What will be our sightline distance to the west for <br />cars traveling east? <br />2. Will we have a clearly designated and adequate en <br />trance lane to the east? <br />3. Where will the County-approved (1993) west-view <br />traffic mirror be relocated? <br />With reference to the first question, our present sightline to the west gives us 2.4 seconds <br />before an east-bound vehicle traveling 40 mph reaches Orono Lane. By my calculations. <br />Sheet #45 of the project plans gives a new sightline of 27 meters (89 feet) which at 40 mph <br />gives us 1.5 seconds and at 50 mph gives us 1.2 seconds. That's half the present time - <br />since present traffic averages 45 mph and the new design will speed that up. <br />With reference to the second question, to join east-bound traffic from Orono Lane is to <br />enter a single lane of vehicles traveling at least 50 mph. A dedicated access lane - not just a <br />short shoulder - seems essential. One that will be serviced by winter plows. I see nothing <br />like that planned on Sheet #20. <br />With reference to all three questions, safety is our concern. The safety of guest and sen ice <br />drivers not familiar with the hazards of an intersection that is a legend in this community. <br />The safety of the thousands of Orono residents who drive through this dangerous inter­ <br />section on a rcaular basis. <br />There is responsibility here and a rare opportunity to do something about it. <br />I thank you all for your interest and your help. I look forward to hearing from you.