04-25-2018 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Traffic Impact Study Little Canada Caribou Coffee Alliant No. 218-0047.0 1 April 11, 2018 1.0 Introduction Alliant Engineering has completed a traffic impact study for the proposed Caribou Coffee development located near the southwest quadrant of the I-35E/Little Canada Road interchange in Little Canada, MN (see Figure 1: Project Location). The main objectives of this study are to evaluate existing traffic operations within the study area, identify any potential traffic impacts to the adjacent roadway network, and identify improvement alternatives to address any issues. Study assumptions, analysis, and conclusions/recommendations offered for consideration as follows. 2.0 Existing Conditions The existing conditions were reviewed to establish a baseline in order to identify any future impacts associated with the proposed development. The evaluation of existing conditions includes turning movement counts, field observations, and an intersection capacity analysis. 2.1 Data Collection 2.1.1 Traffic Volumes To document existing conditions, turning movement counts were collected by Alliant Engineering at the I-35E Southbound Ramps/Little Canada Road/Country Drive signalized study intersection during the week of March 26, 2018 over the following time periods: • AM Peak Period: 7:00-9:00 a.m. Note: 7:15-8:15 a.m. was observed to be the a.m. peak hour • PM Peak Period: 4:00-6:00 p.m. Note: 4:30-5:30 p.m. was observed to be the p.m. peak hour 2.1.2 Roadway Characteristics In addition to traffic volume data collection, observations were completed to identify roadway characteristics within the study area, which are summarized in Table 1. Existing geometry, traffic control, and peak hour traffic volumes at the I-35E Southbound Ramps/Little Canada Road/ Country Drive intersection are shown in Figure 2. It should be noted that the six legs of the I-35E Southbound Ramps/Little Canada Road/Country Drive intersection require split interval signal phasing in order to minimize potential vehicle conflicts. While the eastbound and westbound Little Canada Road approaches can be served simultaneously, the southbound Country Drive approach and the southbound I-35E Exit Ramp approach must be served separately. Table 1 – Roadway Characteristics Roadway Cross-Section Speed Limit Functional Classification Little Canada Road 4-Lane Undivided 30 mph Minor Arterial Country Drive 2-Lane Undivided 35 mph Local