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Carrie shared background and history of the MPRB and Grand Rounds. The <br />Grand Rounds Missing Link (GRML) has been revisited multiple times over the <br />years. It will involve many partners and stakeholders since the plans go through <br />right-of-way of other entities. <br />4 miles of trail will cost about $30M. Planning has been underway for how this <br />project will be funded through several sources. <br />MPRB has coordinated with SAV multiple times regarding GRML, starting with <br />the master plan for trail alignment development in 2017-18. More involvement will <br />be needed between city and MPRB for GRML design and review process. A <br />public comment period will take place in winter 2024. Council approvals are <br />needed in spring 2025. <br />The section of the GRML that goes through St Anthony goes from Ridgeway <br />Parkway to Stinson Blvd along St. Anthony Blvd. Gross Golf Course is already a <br />MPRB facility and was a big reason why this was the ideal route through the city. <br />Major intersections that this trail will need to cross is St. Anthony Blvd through <br />Hwy 88/New Brighton Blvd and Kenzie Terr/Silver Lake Road. Making <br />improvements to those intersections is a larger project involving other partners, <br />Hennepin County being a significant one. These sketches and concept drawings <br />from last spring show how the GRML could interact with those intersections – <br />roundabouts are shown as a potential navigation through those intersections. <br />Proposal shows St. Anthony Blvd roadway (between the cemetery and golf <br />course) narrowing and adding space for bike trails and additional boulevards and <br />wider sidewalks along that road. <br />For the section of St. Anthony Blvd between Stinson and Kenzie, a study was <br />done for an on-street option, but unable to fit protected on-street lanes curb to <br />curb so it would need to be street painted lines. Parking would also be lost to <br />implement on-street facilities. Now looking at replacing the existing 6’ north <br />sidewalk to a 12’ wider trail. Desire is to match the existing conditions and <br />experience of other sections of the Grand Rounds, prioritizing cyclists and <br />slowing motorists down at the intersection. Their preferred concept is an off-street <br />facility and that is what’s being recommended for multi-use of that section. <br />Specific discussion points about the St. Anthony Blvd & Hwy 88 intersection: <br />The county has been primarily considering roundabouts. <br />During the charette a pedestrian overpass was also considered, but roundabouts <br />improve safety for all users (peds, bikes, vehicles). There are raised crossings <br />(6”) on inbound and outbound portions of roundabout, making vehicles slow down <br />as they enter and exit. <br />Would raised crossings be compatible with plowing? The 6” is a gradual grade for <br />a vehicle and Justin confirmed that it is compatible with snow plowing and the <br />4