Laserfiche WebLink
STAFF REPORT <br />DATE: December 16, 2025 <br />CONSENT <br />TO: City Council <br />FROM: Jack Griffin, Municipal Sr. Project Manager <br />AGENDA ITEM: Approve Resolution of Municipal Support for the TH 36 and Lake Elmo Avenue <br />(CSAH 17) Improvements including the South Frontage Road <br />REVIEWED BY: Nicole Miller, City Administrator <br />Clarissa Hadler, Finance Director <br />Adam Swanepeol, Interim Public Works Director <br />Nate Stanley, City Engineer <br /> Chad Isakson, Assistant City Engineer <br />CORE STRATEGIES: <br />☐Vibrant, inclusive, connected community ☐Efficient, reliable, innovative services <br />☐Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance ☐Balanced Finances now and future <br />☒Managed Growth ☒Resilient Infrastructure <br />BACKGROUND: Washington County is leading an intersection improvement project at TH 36 and Lake <br />Elmo Avenue to improve safety, capacity, and operation of the intersection and surrounding area. The <br />project is planned to begin construction in June 2026 and is scheduled to be completed in the fall 2027. <br />On May 16, 2024 the City Council approved a Resolution of Municipal Consent for the recommended <br />project, known as the Overpass with Buttonhook Ramps alternative and as detailed on the preliminary <br />layout dated April 25, 2024. As the County, MnDOT and Cities continued with the project development <br />and final design, the layout was revised to include the extension of the South Frontage Road to Keats <br />Avenue, with a full access closure at Keats Avenue. This alternative was presented for council consideration <br />at the November 2025 Workshop. Following the County/MnDOT presentation, the City Council requested <br />that MnDOT and the County consider a third option that would include the South Frontage Road as <br />presented while maintaining right-turn-only access from eastbound TH 36 to southbound Keats Avenue <br />(Option 3 Concept Plan), with performance monitoring to determine if future closure is warranted. <br />MnDOT subsequently evaluated the City Council request and agreed to advance the project with the Option <br />3 Concept Plan and Draft Commitments, Requirements and Performance measures to maintain the right- <br />turn-only access from eastbound TH 36 to southbound Keats Avenue. The revised layout and performance <br />measures were presented to the City Council at the December 9, 2025 workshop for review and <br />consideration. <br />ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: Should the City Council approve a Resolution of Support for the TH 36 <br />and Lake Elmo Avenue Improvements, revised layout dated February, 2025, including the South Frontage <br />Road extension to Keats Avenue, and further revised to include the Option 3 Concept Plan to maintain the <br />right-turn-only access from eastbound TH 36 to southbound Keats Avenue?