10-14-1996 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Council was asked whether they would be open to a no build option or a minor overlay. Mayor Callahan responded that it is important that the project as proposed move forward for several reasons. He indicated the amount of traffic on County Road 6 will increase due to substantial new development to the west regardless of whether the roadway is improved or not. He also indicated that all of the Highway 12 alternatives considered in the past two years have included an interchange at County Road 6 and Highway 12. The County Road 6 proposal was developed as part of the city’s overall plan for addressing transportation needs in conjunction with the upgrade of Highway 12. Several residents suggested the traffic flow could be best and most easily man^.ged by simply installing a semaphore at the intersection of McCulley Road and County Road 6. It was also suggested that rather than making traffic movement easier from the west, any improvement to the intersection of County Read 6 and McCulley Road should encourage traffic from the west to use an alternative access to Highway 12 rather than coming through Orono to Highway 12. A concern was expressed that with the continuous tlow of traffic on County Road 6, versus a stop sign or a semaphore, residents will be unable to get out of their driveways during the rush- hour periods. A concern was expressed that left turns from County Road 6 to McCulley Road going south will be difficult and that many vehicles will be making this turn in the evening commute. Mr. Theis responded that although a significant number of these left turns will be made in the evening, there will be very little traffic from the west on County Road 6 in the evening to create conflicts V, ith the left turns. It was indicated that the County Road 6 and McCulley intersection is icy all winter due to snow blowing across the intersection from the northwest. The design does not take this danger into account. A concern was expressed that with a continuous flow of traffic the speed will increase even beyond the current high levels. A resident requested that, as an interim solution to traffic movement at the County Road 6 and Highway 12 intersection, a right turn lane onto 12 would be helpful. It was indicated that this would be difficult or impossible due to the proximity of the railroad tracks to the 6 and 12 intersection and that significant improvements to that intersection would have to wait until the construction of the Highway 12 upgrade. It was suggested that a bike trail be included as part of the project to provide a portion of the connection from the Luce Line to Baker Park on McCulley/County Road 6.