HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 04-28 McKnight study okayed THE REVIEW ,, 2, l'1
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by Dennis Doeden ' The council's first vote June 16,1969 was replaced that will be Included in the
Should McKnight road be a four-lane 3-3 with Mayor Ed McKie and coun- recommendation when it is brought
thoroughfare for its entire distance cilmen Jack Whisler and Curt Johnson before the city council later this year for
Beam avenue?
through North St.Paul from Holloway to supporting the improvements and use at a public hearing on the road.
That and other pertinent councilmen Robert Madden and Charles Northern States Power and Northwestern
questions
Buehler opposing the project.Four votes Bell will also be contacted to determine if
about McKnight may be answered
the six months in a study to be were needed, however, to order the those companies foresee any im-
the nextted by the North St. staff project.The council held another hearing provements to their utilities along
cwithompleted
le cooperation from the Paulencityeering Sept.I,1969 and voted 41,with Madden McKnight.
changing vote,to order the project. The next step for North St.Paul will be
department of Ramsey county.
North St.Paul's city council last week to enter Into discussion with the county on
authorized the city staff to begin a Butwhen Ramsey county advised design of the roadway and develop cost
preliminary study of possible McKnight North St.Paul that it lacked sufficient estimates. "After that the council can
funds for the project the plans were decide on hearing dates if they want to go
improvements for the 1977 construction
scrapped.The project called for a 4f-foot ahead with plans," Splinter indicated.
season.The action was prompted by a
recommendation from City Manager roadway,with some funds coming from There is a one-block section of McKnight
Gerald Splinter, the county and some from the property between Radatz and Beam that is in both
"I recommend starting this project now owners along McKnight. Maplewood and North St.Paul,and that
SINCE McKNIGHTisacountystateaid plans for improving that portion would
to gain as much time as possible for
road, Splinter's first step in his have to be made by both communities.
coordinating this project with the
preliminary study will be to contact the Splinter cited a recently-completed improvement of McKnight in
the area of Highway 36,"Splinter said in a county. "We'll find out if they're (the report by the Northeast Area Task Force
county) interested in improving this which projects McKnight to be a major
staff report to the council Monday night of
rcae'Splinter explained. traffic carrier in future years.
last week. The state and county are
Seventh District Ramsey county The city manager added,"Because the
working jointly on the McKnight-36
project,which at this point calls for a new• commissioner Hal Norgard of North St. Highway 36-McKnight project is
project,
signalization set-up to allow for safer left Paul indicated recently that the county is scheduled for 1977 we feel it would be an
interested in seeing McKnight upgraded ideal year to complete other construction
hand turns in all directions.That project
would also realign the frontage roads on all the way from County Rd.D to Min- on McKnight.
nehaha. Maplewood is improving the
the south side of Highway 36.
portion of McKnight from Beam north to
Councilman Curt Johnson said,"I see
nothing wrong with McKnight from South Canty Rd.D this summer,
avenue to 17th.The worst parts are from If state aid funds are available we'll
South to Holloway and from 17th to get North St.Paul's(17th to Beam)proj-
Beam." ect done next year,"Norgard said,add-
Mayor Jack Whisier agreed,calling the ing,"We know McKnight is a problem
17th to Beam section"our number one and we want to upgrade it all the way
priority"for improvements. through."
Hearings held in 1969 by the council If the county shows interest in the
showed residents living along McKnight project Splinter and his staff will analyze
from 17th to Beam were generally op- the city's utilities along McKnight. If
posed to a project to improve their road. watermains or sewer lines have to be