Agenda Packets - 2002/04/01 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Pafko discussed the Highway 10 Interregional Corridor Study (IRC) that is nearing completion and discussed their Transportation System Plan (TSP). Wasko discussed the rankings of the various areas that are in need of noise abatement, and this part of Highway 10 ranked 174th out of more than 800 sites. Wasko suggested that he was in the process of reranking and reprioritizing the sites, combining some sites where logic would dictate while taking more factors into consideration. It’s likely, he indicated, that the Mounds View site could move up substantially given the increased volume, but also pointed out that often increased traffic had the effect of lowering peak noise volumes because vehicles would be traveling at slower speeds. Even if the site did get a higher ranking, it would not crack the top twenty given other areas of higher priority. It seemed as though the top twenty was a level at which funding was assured? The question was asked about the probability of reducing the speed limit and the response was an unwavering and emphatic “no”. Sandback asked what could be done about jake-braking trucks, if a sign could be installed. While no sign could be lawfully installed to prohibit jake-braking, a sign could be added that would instruct motorists that noise ordinances would be enforced; however without diligent enforcement, the signs would do little good, and may even encourage some disreputable truckers to jake-brake simply out of spite. It was pointed out that there might not be a sign that alerts drivers to the turn onto 35W. If not, and if the design speed of the turn would warrant signage, that could help reduce jake-braking as the truckers would at least be expecting the turn and would slow down in a more gradual fashion. It was not clear if anyone was going to follow up on whether the turn warranted signage or not. There was some discussion about the potential for another housing development along Highway 10, in the Laport Meadows area. Ericson asked about the noise mitigation standards and requirements, and how far away from the lanes of traffic a home would have to be for it to fall below the threshold requiring noise abatement. Wasko suggested this number could be anywhere from 400 to 500 feet from the lanes of traffic, depending upon the volume, terrain and vegetation between the home and the road. They suggested that MPCA and MAC might have good information on sound proofing a home, either at initial construction or via a retrofit process.