10-28-1996 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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IJI I I M < i f 3 i 0 transportation JUNE, 1580THE STATE OF MINNESOTA DOES NOT EXPECT TO IMPROVE OR RELOCATE HIGHWAY 12. When the 1974 Orono Villa9e Comprehensive Guide Plan was prepared, the State Highway Department was reviewing plans to relocate and upgrade Highway 12 into a principal arterial. These plans have now been completely dropped from State planning consideration at least until after the year 2000. The only physical improvements scheduled or expected are as follows: OLD CRYSTAL BAY ROAD INTERSECTION - Scheduled to receive turn lanea and traffic signals in 1901. Orono actively pursued this project and heartily recommends early completion because of the heavy school traffic and school bus traffic utilizing this intersection. COUNTY ROAD 6 INTERSECTION - Sched-ied to receive turn lane improvements in 1980. This intersection has many turning movements complicated by an odd street crossing, a closely located rail crossing, and poor sight distance to the east. Orono encourages early completion of this work to facilitate improved Ring Route traffic safety. Orono encourages further planning for improvement in the sight distance and for possible signaling or rail crossing changes to further improve traffic movements through the intersection' HENNEPIN COUNTY IS UNDERTAKING BRDIGE IMPROVEMENTS AFFECTING TRAFFIC IN ORONO. Improvements have been completed on Tanager Lake Bridge, Boy Scout Bridge, Noerenberg Bridge and Coffee Bridge. Areola Bridge is scheduled for major redecking work in 1980 and 1981. 'rhe Narrows Bridge and Hendrickson Bridge are scheduled for work in following years, whi^e essentially of a maintenance nature, these are major construction jobs requiring partial or total bridge closure. Therefore, Orono and adjoining municipalitiee have been deeply involved to assure reasonable traffic flow and emergency access during the construction. In addition, Orono is concerned that all bridge alterations provide completed roadways of a width compatible with ou*r scenic parkway plans including provision for adequate walking and bicycle paths over the channels• MOUND AND SPRING PARK ARE CONTEMPLATING CHANGING THEIR PORTION OF COUNTY ROAD 15 TO FOUR LANE WIDTH. This does not directly affect Orono, but does have the indirect complication of increasing traffic flow toward the center of Lake Minnetonka. Orono is opposed to any widening of County Road 1 within Orono. Orono wculd like to discourage widening of County Road at any location. Instead, Orono is encouraging completion of the Ring Route concept to take traffic volume off of County Road 15, thereby effectively increasing its local service capacity. The completion of a two lane ring route connection north from Mound to McCulley Rond in Orono will greatly reduce travel time to Wayrata and will be consistent with the transportation needs of the Westonka Area and the transportation plans of Minnetrista and Orono. Orono further encourages the development of a new or improved connection south to Highway 7 for areas west of Orono as another alternative commuter link to the metropolitan area. CMP 7-19