04-10-2002 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTIJS CITY COUNCIL APR-l, I0, 2002 intersection of Edgerton Street and County Road D would be reconstructed as part of the bridge project. The reconstruction would include an urban-style road with concrete curb and gutter as well as installation of storm sewer. Drainage from this area will be directed to the freeway. The Public Works Director indicated that the area already drains to the freeway. Dan Soler, Ramsey County, noted that the additional traffic lanes for 694 will not likely generate more run-oft; the run-off will occur faster. It is planned that this run-off will flow into holding ponds and eventually into Lake Gervais. 'Three holding ponds are being added as part of the Unweave the Weave project. Run-off will flow through these, into the Owasso Basin and then into Gervais. .Richard Heinel expressed concern about the additional salt that will be used on the expanded freeway system. Gibbens reported that MN DOT uses a lot less salt than it used to and is constantly refining its road maintenance techniques and looking at alternatives to the use of salt. There was an detailed discussion on salt, the fact that it dissolves iu water and cannot be filtered out of the water as it flows through holding and sedimentation ponds. Therefore, additional salt will end up in the lake systems. Pafi<o reported that MN DOT is experimenting with other products as well. However, while salt has certain adverse effects, alternative products have other adverse effects such as the fertilizer effect. Patio indicated that salt is one of the more benign pollutants- Richard Heinel pointed out that there are likely additional costs in raising the Edgerton Street bridge. Pafko indicated that the additional costs in raising the bridge are relatively minor compared with the savings that can be realized in raising the 694 pavement elevation. I-le noted that the water table is very close to the surface in this area that poses challenges in lowering the elevation of 694. He also noted the cost savings relative to maintenance and increased life span for 694 if the pavement elevation is raised. Jackie Durand noted that raising the Edgerton Street bridge will result in changes of elevations and drainage patterns along Edgerton Street and County Road D. Gibbens pointed out that the addition of storm sewer in this area as well as the urban design road at the intersection of Edgerton Street and County Road D will mitigate any problems. There was a short recess at this point in the workshop, 6:25 p.m. The workshop was reconvened at 6:40 p. m. Gibbens discussed the design impacts of the Edgerton Bridge project on the sun"ounding area. He reported that MN DO"f is proposing that Edgerton Street be improved to a width of 52 feet for approximately 500 feet south of its intersection with County Road D. That 52 feet would include one 12-foot left turn lane, two 12- foot driving lanes, and two 8-foot shoulders. Dan Solar indicated that when the County improves Edgerton Street some time in the future, the intersection will not