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STAFF REPORT <br />DATE:December 9, 2025 <br />Workshop <br />TO: City Council <br />FROM: Jack Griffin, Municipal Senior Project Manager <br />AGENDA ITEM: TH 36-Lake Elmo Avenue Improvements, Option 3 Concept Plan <br />REVIEWED BY: Nicole Miller, City Administrator <br />Nathan Stanley, 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. <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. <br />Following the County/MnDOT presentation, the City Council requested that MnDOT and the County <br />consider a third option that would include the South Frontage Road as presented while maintaining right- <br />turn-only access from eastbound TH 36 to southbound Keats Avenue (Option 3 Concept Plan), with <br />performance monitoring to determine if future closure is warranted. <br />ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: Does the City Council want staff to bring forward a Resolution of Municipal <br />Consent for the TH36-Lake Elmo Avenue Improvements with South Frontage Road, Option 3 Concept <br />Plan? <br />PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: MnDOT has evaluated the City Council request and has agreed to <br />advance the project with the attached Option 3 Concept Plan and Draft Commitments, Requirements and <br />Performance measures. <br />City staff has reviewed MnDOT’s proposal and has the following summary and additional considerations. <br />The existing TH 36 right-turn/deceleration lane must be extended to a minimum length of 500-feet. <br />MnDOT has indicated that improvements to the TH 36 right-turn/deceleration lane will be a local <br />cost to be paid by Lake Elmo. MnDOT will continue cost participation in the South Frontage Road. <br />There will be four (4) ongoing monitoring of safety and operational performance measures <br />associated with the Keats Avenue exit: