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i £1^ Minnesota Department of Transportation <br />Metropolitan Division <br />Waters Edge <br />1500 West County Road B2 <br />Roseville, MN 55113 <br />October 28, 1996 <br />Mayor Todd Olson <br />City of Long Lake <br />1964 Park Avenue <br />Long Lake, MN 55356 <br />RE: TH 12 Improvement Project <br />612-582-1293 <br />'NOV il 199G <br />Dear Mayor Olson: <br />I am writing this letter to update you on the issues and concerns with moving the Burlington <br />Northern Santa Fe Railroad as proposed in Alternative 6 North of the TH 12 Corridor Report. <br />At this time, no formal agreement has been made with the railroad and would be somewhat <br />premature at this point in the project development. We have had two meetings with the railroad <br />representatives to present our Alternative 6 North of the tracks and discuss issues with the <br />concept. Our contact with the BNSF is Spencer D. Arndt, Manager of Public Projects. We are <br />also being assisted with the railroad negotiations by Leroy Vague from Mn/DOT’s Office of <br />Railroads and Waterways. At both meetings the railroad gave favorable suppon to the north of <br />the tracks concept. <br />Mr. Arndt expressed three main concerns at our first meeting; maintaining existing grades, <br />alignment, and service to industry. Railroads have different design standards and specifications <br />and must be followed and the current right-of-way for two tracks must be maintained for the <br />possibility of future expansion. At the second meeting we discuss in more detail the Alternative 6 <br />North and identified through the corridor the proposed changes to the railroad. Issues that were <br />expressed were related to the existing sidings and the elimination of 3 bridges near Watertown <br />Road and May Street. There is concern that pedestrians used to having access under the tracks <br />may try to cross over the tracks. Benefits to the railroad will be the elimination of three at-grade <br />crossings and the maintenance of the three bridges. <br />Mr. Arndt is setting up a field review for Mn/DOT and BNSF representatives for the near future. <br />Mr. Vague will be developing a Memorandum of Understanding with the railroad as the project <br />development continues. <br />Mr. Arndt telephoned me to let me know that he was asked for information related to the project <br />and Mr. Arndt indicated to the person that they must go through Mn/DOT for TH 12 project <br />related information. <br />An equal opportunity employer