Agenda Packets - 1997/02/03 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

• Item No. 3 Staff Report No. Q"1' f(.58- • Meeting Date: 2/3/97 III Type of Business: Work Session WK.• Work Session;PH:Public Hearing; CA:Consent Agenda;CB:Council Business City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Mayor and City Council From: Pamela Sheldon, Community Development Director Item Title/Subject: Pedestrian Bridge Over Highway 10 Date of Report: January 30, 1997 Summary: Staff is taking this opportunity to provide a history of and status report on the pedestrian bridge across Highway 10 at the Long Lake Road intersection. Several steps must be completed for the bridge to be constructed this summer, which is the current schedule. These are described under Tasks in Progress later in this report. Background: History of Grant Application: For many years there has been discussion regarding the fact that Highway 10 cuts the City in half • Safe accessibility between the two halves is restricted. Movement to and from destinations such as schools, parks, the library, businesses and restaurants is difficult especially for senior citizens and youth who walk or ride bicycles, as opposed to driving. There have been discussions for some time about building a bridge across Highway 10 to improve access for youth and all walkers and bicyclists. The cost of construction, however, was viewed as way beyond the city's ability to pay. In 1992, City Council formed the Trailways Advocacy Group (TAG)to design a bicycle trailway system throughout the Mounds View community which would link to neighboring city and county trails, in an effort to create a coordinated system through St. Paul, Minneapolis and the northern suburbs(Resolution No. 4227). In addition, the TAG worked to design a trailway system within Mounds View which would connect various destinations within the community and provide safe access for walkers and bicyclists. Highway 10 continued to be a stumblingblock to creating this system. No matter where the TAG proposed to make a crossing, the dangers of the highway persisted. The TAG discussed building a bridge and suggested that if funding could be found, they would recommend that the City proceed with this project to improve accessibility throughout the community. In 1991, Congress passed the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act(ISTEA)which provided funding for transportation improvements. ISTEA required, however, as a condition of funding, that state and local governments analyze and plan for transportation needs in a more 41) comprehensive way. Attention was to be given not only to streets and highways, but also to transit and trailways. The types of funding available encouraged alternatives to vehicular travel,