03-14-2001 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Rice Street Crossings Redevelopment The Vadnais -Snail Lake Regional Park is also within the area of influence. This regional park is a destination point and is a valuable asset. The southern portion of the park is connected to the project area by the existing roadway network. Lake basins and wetlands within the park are near or adjacent to the project area. In addition, Ramsey County's Lake Owasso Park and Beach is located just west of the influence area. Changes... The established land use pattem and transportation network for this site will undergo a transformation within the next five to six years. This transformation will create opportunities to integrate land use and transportation, provide for a mixture of uses, support transit and improve connections both within and outside of the project site if planning is coordinated. The scheduled improvements include the following: Year Improvement 2004 Ramsey County — Reconstruction of interchange ramps, bridge and access roads. 2005 Ramsey County — Vacate Public Works maintenance site and release of other property owned on Rice Street. Metro Transit — Possibly begin construction of transit hub and park -and- ride facility on vacated Public Works maintenance site as part of a mixed - use development. 2007 Minnesota Department of Transportation — Lane addition for I -694. Unknown Establishment of a commuter rail line — Forest Lake /St. Paul/Minneapolis Route. Roadway Improvements. Planned roadway improvements within the project area include the expansion of Interstate 694 from four lanes to six lanes. This expansion is necessary to relieve congestion, especially during peak hours. This project also includes the reconstruction of the highway's interchange ramps onto Rice Street, reconstruction of the Rice Street bridge and realignment of a portion of the local road network that provides access to Rice Street. Vadnais Boulevard will be rerouted, requiring access modifications or relocation of existing businesses. Ramsey County will coordinate these improvements and manage these as a separate project. MN/DOT will be involved in looking at the ramp terminals at the Rice Street interchange. This project is in the planning stage. Concepts have been drafted for this project, but final designs have not been approved. The redesign of the Interstate 694/Rice Street interchange provides opportunities for the County and local communities to improve linkages to destination points within and outside of the project area. Features to improve access and safety for automobiles as well as pedestrians and cyclists will be incorporated into the new design. Other enhancements such as street lighting, signage, signalization and landscaping may also be used. Page 39