04-14-2004 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council of Vadnais Heights Meeting Minutes Excerpts Dec. 16, 2003 B. "UNWEAVE THE WEAVE" CONSTRUCTION PROJECT The City Administrator advised that 'Unweave the Weave' refers to a plan submitted by the Minnesota Department of Transportation for reconstructing the portion of the interstate highway system within the limits of Vadnais Heights and neighboring City of Little Canada. He explained that specifically, plans are for the reconstruction of I -35E, from County Road E to Highway 36, and on I -694, from Rice Street to Highway 61. He stated they have been working with NIN/DOT on concerns, and added the project would also be widening Edgerton Street to three lanes from County Road D to approximately 500 feet north of I -694. It will also upgrade Vadnais Road to a Class 1 street for a distance approximately 600 feet west of Edgerton Street, and bring storm sewer and water main to this section of street. He stated they have requested that MN /DOT look at deepening the storm and sewer on Vadnais Road to address drainage issues west of the section of street to be reconstructed in the future. The City Administrator stated MN/DOT and the city had a public open house meeting with approximately 75 people in attendance He stated notices were published and mailed to property owners within 500 feet of the portion of the interstate to be reconstructed and all businesses within the city. He advised that the second stage of the project, which will be the entire project except the Edgerton Street Bridge and roadwork adjacent to it, is scheduled for completion of planning in the fall of 2004, with construction in the spring of 2005. He stated the community would see the majority of the construction during the period summer of 2005 through 2007. The City Administrator advised the City Council has received instructions from MnDOT on the consent laws regarding the project, and explained the City can say no to the project, approve the plans conditionally or the approve the plans as presented. He stated it is typical for cities to have some recommendations accompanying a conditional approval. He indicated he feels there is definitely a need for improvements to the Interstate, noting it used to be only on bad weather days you would see back -ups of traffic, but now it is a regular a.m, and p.m. occurrence. He noted traffic has increased over the years, with the numbers showing there are currently 108,000 cars a day in the commons area, with an estimated 134,000 per day when the project is completed in 2008, and a projection of 202,000 vehicles per day by 2030. The City Administrator indicated the City has worked with several neighboring communities developing aesthetics design guidelines for the project, with input from all the communities along 694 to develop concepts and guidelines. He stated the cities have the option of making slight modifications to those guidelines for individuality while still maintaining a unified appearance. He indicated that part of the motion addresses the estimate of the City's share of the cost for phase one of the improvements, which is estimated at $160,000. He noted this includes some water main and storm sewer projects they would like to include, and indicated the City would hold public hearings individually on that part of the improvement and there could be assessments involved. The City Administrator advised Phase 2 will need to be approved by early summer, and Staff will be working with MN/DOT on the remaining plans. 4