03/07/2011 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • • WS — Item 1 WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Work Session Item 1 Date: Council Work Session, March 7, 2011 To: City Council From: Michael Grochala Re: CSAH 34 Corridor Study Update Background The 2008 -2009 Council Goals, Objectives and Management Action Plan included the objective to "Initiate an Access Management Plan for Birch Street (CSAH 34) that includes provisions for pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements ". Additionally, the city received a petition in early 2008 requesting improvements to the Ware Road and Birch Street intersection. In response the City Council approved Resolution No. 08 -34, directing staff to work with Anoka County on a corridor study and incorporate the Ware /Birch intersection. In April of 2009 the council passed Resolution No. 09 -21 entering into a Joint Powers Agreement with Anoka County to prepare a Corridor Study for Birch Street. In April of 2010 the council discussed the draft report and expressed concerns regarding the ultimate plan which proposed a four lane divided (raised median) roadway. The council noted that short term improvements that balanced safety with convenience would be more appropriate. Over the past year city staff has worked with Anoka County and SRF Consulting Group to incorporate the City Council's comments into the final draft report. The project team has worked to develop a staged approach to improvements that can be implemented as conditions warrant. A decision on the implementation of raised medians will be deferred by the county and city until the impact of other improvements are understood and actual future needs are more defined. A copy of the executive summary is attached which includes a table identifying proposed improvements, triggers and estimated costs. An electronic copy of the entire draft report is also being provided. Representatives of Anoka County and SRF Consulting Group will be available to address council questions and review the report at the work session. 1