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l -35E Corridor Final AUAR September 26, 2005 <br />the operation of the primary roadways and their intersections during the p.m. peak period, which is typically <br />the time when the most severe traffic congestion is incurred. The traffic analysis was expanded to include a <br />noise impact analysis (see Item 21, Traffic), a 2020 no -build traffic analysis (see Appendix E), and a 2030 <br />a.m. peak analysis (see Appendix F) to address comments received on the Draft AUAR. <br />Evaluating the development scenarios involved the complex process of developing and distributing <br />background and development scenario related traffic through the areas roadway network. The network <br />includes a system of frontage roadways that will assist in the circulation of traffic through the area. This <br />roadway system, which was presented to the City and Anoka County early in the AUAR process, was used <br />as a guideline in determining where to put the various developments. <br />The key guidelines included: <br />• Limit access to CSAH 14 and 80th Street between CSAH 21 and Elmcrest Avenue North <br />• Limit access and preserve mobility on CSAH 14, CSAH 21, and 80th Street (assuming future <br />interchange) <br />• Signalized (primary) intersections at 'A mile spacing <br />• Collector (secondary) intersections at '/ mile spacing <br />• Enhance existing street network to serve local trips (e.g., upgrade Elmcrest Avenue North) <br />• Develop frontage/backage road system to provide property access <br />• Consolidate existing access as opportunities arise <br />• Consider I -35E park and ride location <br />• Provide bicycle /pedestrian trail connectivity <br />In general, the overall development scenarios resulted in significant increases in traffic to /from the AUAR <br />area. The major problems with the intersection were southbound left -turns and westbound left -turns. The <br />lane geometry that was assumed was single left -turns on all approaches. The results indicate that given the <br />expected development in the AUAR area that several of the approaches would require dual left-turn lanes to <br />adequately accommodate study area traffic. The redesigned interchange at CSAH 14 and I -35E overall <br />functioned satisfactory during the p.m. peak hour for the 2030 land use scenarios. The northern section of <br />the AUAR area, along 801 Street and the bypass, also showed high traffic volumes and intersections <br />projected to operate over - capacity under the assumed lane geometry. <br />Table 21 -5 displays the overall Level of Service (LOS) for all of the analyzed intersections for the <br />development scenarios for 2030 build -out and post 2030 build -out conditions. Table 21 -6 displays the LOS <br />for each of the turning movements for the 2030 build -out conditions. The intersection traffic volumes for <br />the full development of the scenarios (post 2030) resulted in severe congestion for virtually all turning <br />movements and therefore are not shown in the table. <br />The proposed developments will increase traffic on roadways within, and adjacent to the AUAR area. <br />Mitigation will include adding traffic signals and turn lanes and widening roads as necessary during the <br />various stages of development (see Figures 25 -8 through Figure 25 -12). In general, Scenario One had the <br />least impact on traffic congestion with two intersections performing at LOS F, without mitigation. Scenario <br />Two had four intersections and Scenario Three had six intersections operating at LOS F, respectively. With <br />reasonable mitigation measures all the intersections in Scenarios One and Two were able to operate at LOS <br />E or better. Even with reasonable mitigation measures, Scenario Three, which has a residential emphasis, <br />still had intersections performing at LOS F. These include the east ramps at the proposed Northerly <br />Bypass/I -35W interchange, and the intersection of CSAH 14 and Otter Lake Road. <br />xi <br />