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<br />WS – Item 2 <br />WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />Work Session Item No. 2 <br /> <br /> <br />Date: April 6, 2020 <br /> <br />To: City Council <br /> <br />From: Michael Grochala, Community Development Director <br /> <br />Re: Birch Street (CSAH 34) proposed improvements <br /> <br />Background <br /> <br />Staff has been working with Anoka County representatives to address City Council <br />concerns and questions regarding the proposed Birch Street Reconstruction project. <br />Pending City Council direction, staff anticipates consideration of the Joint Powers <br />Agreement at the April 13, 2020 meeting. Action at that time will allow for a 2021 <br />construction start. <br /> <br />Project Layout <br /> <br />Anoka County is proposing to construct the two roundabout option. A mill and overlay is <br />planned for the section of roadway between Kingfisher Court and Old Birch Street. This <br />option appears to address the majority of access, safety and speed concerns while <br />delaying permanent improvements to the east. <br /> <br />The mill and overlay would address immediate pavement concerns while allowing for <br />future consideration of a roundabout at Old Birch Street. <br /> <br />The County is also continuing to work with the City to avoid the house on the NE corner <br />of Birch and West Shadow Lake Dr. The West Shadow Lake Drive roundabout design <br />has been modified to minimize impacts to the extent practicable. <br /> <br />Pedestrian Crosswalks/Safety <br /> <br />The City Council has repressed concerns regarding pedestrian safety at the roundabout <br />crossings. WSB and Associates has prepared a memo regarding Pedestrian Crossings at <br />Roundabouts. In summary there are four main aspects that make RAB’s safer than <br />traditional intersections: <br /> <br />1. Reduction of conflict points <br />2. Crossing one direction of traffic at a time <br />3. Shorter crossing distance <br />4. Driver multi-stage recognition. <br /> <br />The memo also provides a brief description of a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon <br />(RRFB), as previously suggested by the City Council, for the west roundabout. Anoka