HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/17/2001 Mall Traffic StudyMEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
DATE:
City Manager, Planning Commission
Ken Roberts, Associate Planner
Maplewood Mall Area Traffic Study Meeting
December 12, 2001
You are invited to a joint meeting with the City Council Monday, December 17, 2001 at 6:00 p.m.
in the City Hall Council Chambers. The purpose of this meeting is to review the findings of the
Maplewood Mall Area Traffic Study. I have attached a copy of the agenda report from the
Director of Public Works and Assistant City Manager and the executive summary of the study.
The planning commission will hold its regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. after the joint meeting with the
council.
Kr:c/1217mtg.mem
AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA ITEM
TO:
CC:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
City Council
Planning Commission
Richard Fursman, City Manager
R. Charles Ahl, Director of Public Works/City Engineer
Melinda J. Coleman, Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director
December 6, 2001
Maplewood Mall Area Traffic Study - City Project 01-11
Report Review at December 17, 2001 Meeting at 6:00 pm
Introduction
The city council has established, as one of their top priorities, a resolution of traffic concerns
around the Maplewood Mall area. On May 29, 2001, the city council authorized a study of the
traffic concerns in the mall area. That study is complete and the consultant has prepared a
presentation on the report findings along with recommendations on area-wide improvements. A
joint meeting of the city council and planning commission is planned as part of the second half
of the city council's meeting on December 17,2001. We anticipate the consultant's presentation
to begin at approximately 6:00 pm.
Background
The Maplewood Mall Comprehensive Traffic Study was initiated by the City of Maplewood with
a goal of documenting problem locations in the area, identifying measures that will address
present and anticipated congestion, and provide information necessary to effectively deal with
and mitigate the traffic impacts associated with alarge-scale development west of the mall. A
number of studies have been previously conducted in this area and were attempting to address
congestion in this area more than 25 years ago. This study is a cooperative effort between the
City of Maplewood and the Minnesota Department of Transportation; Ramsey County; the cities
of Vadnais Heights, White Bear Lake, and North St. Paul; and Metro Transit.
The study was guided by an advisory panel of technical staff from each of the participating
agencies. Issues reviewed were traffic generators within the area, proposed development, an
analysis of traffic network, projections of future traffic volumes, existing project levels of service
at key intersections, traffic control improvements, and traffic crash data. The analysis included
development of a traffic model that estimates existing and future roadway congestion. A portion
of the presentation will be a demonstration of the traffic model that shows the impacts of future
development and the benefits of various improvements. A number of improvements were
identified to address the congestion concerns. Each improvement was analyzed and prioritized
according to the benefits received to the transportation system.
Maplewood Mall Area Traffic Study
December 6, 2001
Page Two
Recommended Improvements
Two major improvements are recommended to resolve a majority of the traffic congestion at the
Maplewood Mall Area over the next 10-year planning period. The most promising
improvements are:
Extension of County Road D, westerly from Hazelwood Street. The new roadway would
be a reestablishment of County Road D but would likely be required in a new location at
T.H. 61. The current County Road D / T.H. 61 intersection is too close to the 1-694 / T.H.
61 intersection to operate effectively. The study suggests that a realigned County Road
D should intersect with T.H. 61 south of the current location, approximately one-half way
between existing County Road D and Beam Avenue. The County Road D alignment
would likely intersect with Hazelwood Street at its current location. An alignment study
to determine the most appropriate roadway location, intersection alignment and property
acquisition needs is recommended within the next 6-8 months.
Construction of additional lanes on White Bear Avenue between Woodlyn Avenue and
Buerkle Road. This improvement would require the replacement of the 1-694 bridge to
accommodate the additional width on White Bear Avenue. This improvement would
significantly improve the capacity of the County Road D intersection. This major
improvement would require a joint project between MnDOT, Ramsey County and the
cities of Maplewood and White Bear Lake. It appears to fit well into the plans of MnDOT
and Ramsey County for area improvements within the next 10 years, although likely
within the 7+-year category.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council and Planning Commission receive the
Maplewood Mall Area Traffic Study and direct that staff present the study as part of area
neighborhood meetings during the next two months. Following receipt of property
owner input, the study recommendations should be returned to the city council for
formal adoption and direction to proceed on further steps.
RCA
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Attachment: Executive Summary Report