12/13/2006 P&Z Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

• safety hazards. Therefore, eliminating existing driveways that now access the arterial roads goes along with creating the new access points. Speed limits are important considerations for planning improvements and access points. Both Hodgson Road and CR J are classified as minor arterials. The speed limit is 50 mph on Hodgson north of CR J, but 45 mph to the south in Ramsey County. On CR J, the speed limit is 35 mph at the Hodgson intersection. The speed limit increases to 50 mph approximately 2,000 feet to the west and about 2,600 feet to the east of Hodgson Rd. The speed limit on Ware Rd. in the area is 45 mph. Extensive discussions with the Anoka County Highway Department have resulted in some specific design parameters. These discussion included the recognition of conflicting interests. Property owners want direct and extensive access to their properties. However, numerous accesses impede traffic flow on collector and arterial roads and create safety hazards. It is also important to avoid disadvantaging one property by treating a neighboring property more favorably. County and City staff worked toward the goal of reaching a balance among these interests and creating a system of access points, circulation routes, and needed road improvements that will provide good access to all properties while ensuring public safety and keeping traffic flowing on arterial roads. Access Locations Hodgson Road: When development occurs, there should be one access to Hodgson, approximately 990 feet north of CR J. This point would have an access from both east and west, creating a full access intersection (not blocked with a median). Turn lanes would be necessary on Hodgson Road. Anoka County has not eliminated the possibility that a median could block the intersection if future safety concerns arise. Co. Rd. J: There also should be one access to CR J between Hodgson and Ware. Anoka County has agreed to one access between Hodgson and Ware, which would be constructed as right in/right out, with individual driveways being eliminated as development occurs. Because there will be one access, it must be a public road, not a private road or driveway. It should be located as close as possible to being centered between Hodgson and Ware Roads. Aligning it with Kent Street on the south is an option. This would eliminate the offset between the two. However, Anoka County will require that this new road access be a right in/right out access. This would prevent almost every conflicting movement normally seen with an offset, so the offset would not be a concern. There should be one access to CR J between Hodgson Road and Woodridge Lane. This would be as far west as possible to create the greatest possible separation from the Hodgson/CR J intersection. Anoka County has stated that this access must be constructed as right in/right out. Draft- December 8, 2006 Hodgson/CR J Master Plan page 17