2019.01.23 CC Packet - Goal Setting Session

Home

TRUNK HIGHWAY 36 AND COUNTY STATE AID HIGHWAY 15 (MANNING AVENUE) INTERCHANGE PROJECT Position: Washington County supports the appropriation of $15 million in state funds, to match existing federal and local funds, for the Trunk Highway 36 and County State Aid Highway 15 (Manning Avenue) Interchange Project. Issue: Washington County is leading the Trunk Highway (TH) 36 and County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 15 (Manning Avenue) Interchange Project, in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), the Cities of Stillwater, Grant, Lake Elmo, and Oak Park Heights, and Stillwater Township. The project location is the existing at -grade signalized intersection of TH 36 and Manning Avenue. As Washington County has grown, traffic volumes have increased to the point where traffic demand is exceeding the capacity of the intersection, resulting in safety concerns, extended periods of heavy congestion, and an unacceptable level of peak hour service. The intersection's capacity constraints have contributed to the growing safety issue. Between 2011 and 2015, this intersection had 56 reported crashes with one fatality. Additionally, this intersection ranked 75 out of 8,000 intersections based on a statewide crash cost comparison. The 2017 opening of the St. Croix Crossing Bridge improved access to Washington County, the Twin Cities Metro Area and Western Wisconsin but the increased traffic volumes following the opening are exacerbating the existing safety and capacity issues at the intersection. The project preserves existing capacity along TH 36 by constructing an interchange at the existing signalized intersection and, adding a frontage road south of TH 36. This project eliminates an at -grade intersection along TH 36, and helps achieve the freeway vision of this important interregional corridor. Support and Opposition: MnDOT, the Metropolitan Council, the Cities of Lake Elmo, Stillwater, Oak Park Heights and the townships of Grant and Stillwater support improving efficiency, mobility and safety at the intersection of TH 36 and Manning Avenue. Previous Consideration: Washington County submitted a request for funds in the 2018 legislative session. This request was not funded. No Action: If the proposal is not enacted the critical efficiency, mobility and safety issues associated with the TH 36 and Manning Avenue intersection will continue to grow. Without a grade -separated interchange traffic delays will become intolerable and traffic trying to access Manning with spill onto TH 36, risking the safety of all who pass through this area. The addition of the St. Croix Crossing Bridge has already and will continue to exacerbate these issues as the corridor develops into a regional gateway. If state funding is not provided there is a risk of losing the federal dollars that have been granted for this project. rN