10-14-1996 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER 14, 1996 (Corridor Selection for Hwy 12 Upgrade - Continued) O'Keefe noted there were three proposals last spring, one with a 2 -lane bypass south of Long Lake and reconnection with the current Hwy 12 by Stubbs Bay Road. The second proposal was the three component TSM proposal, which would have new interchanges at Watertown and Ferndale. The third proposal was presented by neighborhood groups for a three lane section on the existing alignment with a reversible east -west lane to be used during rush hours and as a 2 -way left turn during off -peak times. These proposals were evaluated during the summer months along with changes made to Mn/DOT's own proposal. The interchange at Ferndale was eliminated as the benefit did not justify the cost. The Watertown Road connection was also eliminated as the traffic has not increased on that road as projected to show sufficent evidence to justify the cost. O'Keefe said it was most noteworthy that the cost of tunneling under the Luce Line and Burlington Northern Railroad would be very expensive and an engineering challenge. The alternative of looking at moving the railroad tracks to the south with the road located north of the tracks was reviewed. O'Keefe noted that Mn/DOT does not have eminent domain rights over railroad property and would require agreement from the Railroad. The Alternative 6 proposal provides the advantage of eliminating the Brown Road, CoRd 6, and Stubbs Bay Rd. at -grade crossings, as well as two bridge trestles at Watertown Road and May Street. O'Keefe said the railroad is in agreement to this point. • Mn/DOT is working with the railroad to move its current location 50 to 120' south of the • current location, with the new Highway 12 located north of the relocated railroad tracks. The advantages of this would be less expense than that of tunneling under the railroad, and it allows bridging over the railroad at Brown Road. The grade of the railroad could be lowered and would not impact the area south on Brown Road. There would be a Lake Street connection with the new Brown Road slightly east of Virginia Avenue. By lowering the grade, there would be less visual and noise impact especially to the west where the railroad is depressed. O'Keefe said Mn/DOT officials discussed this alternative with the Orono and Long Lake Councils informally. The proposal was presented on September 17 with Mn/DOT looking for the support of the Councils for the proposal as the identified preferred corridor. The cities indicated general support. A public meeting was held at St. George's on September 30 to review the Alternative 6 proposal. O'Keefe reviewed the features of the proposal and the decision and what is and is not part of the decision process made so far. The corridor selection sets the general alignment only. The design details will be determined in the preliminary design phase. The design phase will involve working with the cities with regard to details with decisions hopefully made by October, 1997. The corridor is in a conceptual stage, especially where interchanges, ramps and loops are concerned.