05-13-1996 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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DRAFT COMMENTS REGARDING THE HIGHWAY 12 DECISION objections to this option and the extent of potential social, economic and environmental impacts inherent in the corridor. Orono has been, and will continue to be strongly opposed to locating a roadway along the south bypass alignment for all of the reasons stated in the Scoping Decision Document. Orono strongly opposes the consideration of any additional new alignments in the remaining environmental review stage. If more than one alternative is carried into the environmental review process it will re-inject more uncertainty for more people and will significantly extend the environmental review process particularly if a south bypass alignment is considered. We oppose further study of the three component TSM alternative for the following reasons; •An alternative similar to this proposal was evaluated during the mediation process we participated in over the last two years. The alternative was found not to meet the transportation needs of the TH 12 corridor. •We are opposed to the upgrading of Watertown Road, a residential street, to accommodate higher volume traffic moving at higher speeds. We do not believe this is compatible with the land uses along Watertown Road nor is it compatible with the city ’s comprehensive plan. As noted in the preceding sections, the city of Orono is opposed to the construction of Watertown along a new alignment with an interchange between Watertown Road and TH 12. •Orono is opposed to an interchange at Femdale Road for the reasons stated in the preceding sections. Level of Environmental Review The city of Orono would support the use of an Environmental Assessment for documenting the environmental impacts of a TSM alternative and/or the two-lane freeway bypass along the railroad as proposed by Mn/DOT. Particularly if the Femdale and Watertown Road 8