1974.03.18 RESO 1974-07 - Laserfiche WebLink

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F. TRANSPORTATION The Hugo area was fortunate to have two military roads available at the time of initial growth and development. One ran between Forest Lake and Stillwater and the second between White Bear Lake and Marine on St. Croix. The future road system of the Village was in large part based upon the existence of these two reads. Hugo's transportation and circulation needs are currently being met by the existing highway and road system. Mass transit facilities do not exist and the two railroads which serve the Village do not provide passenger service. Limited bus service is provided by the Greyhound Lines on its Twin Cities - Duluth runs. Those persons commuting to work from the Hugo area have to rely almost 100% on the private automobile. U.S. Highway #61 has served as the major route through Hugo for many years and will continue to serve in this role, although with the completion of I -35E in neighboring Lino Lakes much of the through traffic has been diverted from U.S. ,#61 to I -35E. In 1968 the average daily traffic count of U.S. #61 ranged from 5,950 at the north Village line to 6,700 vehicles per day at the old Village north limits. The average count in 1970 for this same segment of highway ranged from 5,750 to 6,500. This is not as severe a loss as might be expected with the opening of the freeway but still significant in light of the recent growth experienced in this area of Washington County. The section of U.S. #61 south of the old Village line to the Ramsey County border has experienced just the opposite situation. In 1968 the counts ranged from 7,500 to 7,750 while in 1970 they had increased to 7,900 and 8,400 respectively. The Washington County road network of highways forms the backbone of Hugo's circulation system. County State Aid Highways 4, 8, and 10 plus County Road 8A provide an adequate all weather east - west collector system leading to U.S. #61, but there is a noted absence of good north -south roads in the Village. The only up- graded north -south County road in the vicinity of Hugo is C.S.A.H. 15, and this lies approximately one mile east of the Village at its closest point. Hugo's direct access to I -35E (Co.Rd. #8) has recently been up -graded and paved and now provides a good connector to the inter- state system and St. Paul. Future developments fronting on this thoroughfare will have to be controlled so as not to hinder the route in achieving its prime purpose as a high volume feeder highway. Two railroads pass through the Village and provide freight service only. Burlington Northern (Duluth line) maintains a freight depot in the old Village and handles car load shipments of dry commodities such as lumber, grain, fertilizer, etc. The Soo Line (Superior line) crosses the southeast corner of the Village at Winthrow and maintains a freight depot there. Very few car loadings occur in Withrow, however. 11