06/08/2005 P&Z Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • • I -35E Corridor Draft AUAR June 2, 2005 Table 21 -5 displays the overall Level of Service (LOS) for all of the analyzed intersections for the development scenarios for 2030 build -out and post 2030 build -out conditions. Table 21 -6 displays the LOS for each of the turning movements for the 2030 build -out conditions. The intersection traffic volumes for the full development of the scenarios (post 2030) resulted in severe congestion for virtually all turning movements and therefore are not shown in the table. The proposed developments will increase traffic on roadways within, and adjacent to the AUAR area. Mitigation will include adding traffic signals and turn lanes and widening roads as necessary during the various stages of development (see Figures 25 -8 through Figure 25 -12). In general, Scenario One had the least impact on traffic congestion with two intersections performing at LOS F, without mitigation. Scenario Two had four intersections and Scenario Three had six intersections operating at LOS F, respectively. With reasonable mitigation measures all the intersections in Scenarios One and Two were able to operate at LOS E or worse. Even with reasonable mitigation measures, Scenario Three, which has a residential emphasis, still had intersections performing at LOS F. These include the east ramps at the proposed Northerly Bypass/I -35W interchange, and the intersection of CSAH 14 and Otter Lake Road. To mitigate the impact of the additional traffic on the regional system I -35W and I -35E would need to be reconstructed to provide a six -lane cross - section. It should be noted that it was determined that an expansion will be necessary even without the development scenarios used in this analysis. As the interstates serve a much larger area, the projected growth of the entire Twin Cities region should warrant expansion by the year 2030. Figures 21 -8, 21 -9, and 21 -10 display the intersection LOS for each of the scenarios and also display the mitigation measures that were identified to address the deficiencies. Ecologically Sensitive Resources The AUAR area contains a wealth of ecologically sensitive resources including high quality natural and semi - natural areas, wildlife corridors, two rare animals, the Peltier Lake Island Heron Rookery, two rare plant communities, and portions of the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park. Mitigating impacts to ecologically sensitive resources is discussed throughout the Draft AUAR. The Conservation Design Framework (Figure 10 -3 and described under Item 10) is designed to conserve wildlife habitat and natural plant communities, and will provide an invaluable tool for conservation of wildlife and rare features within the AUAR area. Most importantly, the Conservation Design Framework protects the existing significant fish, wildlife, and ecological sensitive resources in the northwest portion of the AUAR, and goes beyond to identify and protect the most significant outlier habitats, buffering them, and connecting them with greenway corridors. In brief, conservation design principles behind the Framework include: • protect streams, lakes, and groundwater by purifying, filtering, and infiltrating surface runoff to the maximum extent possible • preserve, restore, and enhance existing natural and semi - natural areas and wildlife habitat • create wildlife opportunities by restoring and managing wildlife habitat • establish wide buffers and connections around and between core and outlier habitats The greenway corridors are designed to connect the larger and higher quality natural areas. These corridors will provide three main services: 1) stormwater collection and conveyance, 2) ecological corridors for wildlife movement and native plant dispersal, and 3) recreational trails for people. Certain greenway corridors may warrant design for specific wildlife species, may provide certain stormwater management opportunities, or may need to accommodate different types of trails or passive recreational uses. Design