03-17-1997 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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constructed under the railroad, creating skewed intersections with poor sight distance. This high accident area has 3.5 accidents per million vehicle-miles of travel. The east end of the project transitions and connects to the TH 12 freeway in Wayzata. A series of substandard ‘S’ curves, along with width transitions and lane drops are used to go from the divided freeway to the two-lane highway. The intersection with Wayzata Blvd. is in the middle of this transition area and intersects TH 12 on a curve. The bridge opening under the DNR Luce Line Trail is too narrow, and the shoulder width is below standard. Typical accident types are rear-end, sideswipes, and head-on. Posted speeds range from 35 to 50 mph (55-80 km^). Vn. ALTERNATIVES / CORRIDORS The April 1996 TH 12 Corridor Study/Comprehensive Report identified ten construction alternative solutions, eight of wh'ch were identified and discussed in the May 1992 TH 12 Corridor Study Scoping Document and Draft Scoping Decision Document. These alternatives ranged from four-lane expressways to two-lane limited-access highways. The four-lane alternatives were broken down into nine different segments representing northern, southern, central , eastern, and western portions of the study area. Mn^OT is no longer proposing a four- lane upgrade because of; 1) lack of funding availability; 2) the Metropolitan Council does not support a four-lane alternative; and 3) the purpose and need for the project can be met by a lesser- build alternative. Documentation of the study and information on the four-lane alternatives and the termination of the EIS is detailed in Mn/DOT ’s April 1996 Trunk Highway 12 Corridor Study/Comprehensive Report. ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED UNDER THIS CORRIDOR PROPOSAL No-build Alternative = Existing Corridor; The No-build Alternative would allow the present conditions of TH 12 to remain unchanged. Currently, this TH 12 project roadway segment has restricted and substandard geometries, congestion, uncontrolled intersections and access points, and high accident and severity rates. Build Alternatives / Corridors: Alternative 6: South of the Burlington Northern Railroad (BNRR) Tracks New alignment from CASH 6 to Wa)'zata Blvd. along the south side of the railroad corridor. Two-lane, limited-access highway. Project length appro.ximately 6 miles (includes distance to Femdale Rd.) Tunnel under Burlington Northern Railroad (BNRR) on east and bridge over railroad on west. Overpasses at Willow Drive and Old Crystal Bay Road. Ramps on Femdale Road; interchange where new TH 12 alignment splits from existing TH 1 2 near Wayzata Blvd; Watertown Road interchange; and grade-separated intersection at CSAH 6 & TH 12.