Transportation Advisory Commission Minutes 09/17/2003I-94/CSAH 18 Interchange
Policy/Technical Advisory Committee
Monticello, MN
Wednesday, September 17, 2003
Meeting Minutes
Attendance:
Terry Humbert
Mn/DOT Dist. 3
Virgil Hawkins
Wright County
Pat Sawatzke
Wright County
Mayor Bruce Thielen
City of Monticello
Jeff O'Neil
City of Monticello
011ie Koropchak
City of Monticello
Rick Wolfsteller
City of Monticello
Robbie Smith
City of Monticello
Lloyd Hilgart
Monticello Planning Commission
Brett Weiss
WSB & Associates/Monticello City Engineer
Doug Weiszhaar
WSB & Associates
Brandi Popenhagen
WSB & Associates
Shawn Weinard
Monticello Industrial Park
Jeff Streeter
Streeter Co.
Ken Streeter
Streeter Co.
Curt Pascor
Ryan Co.
Roger Belsaas
Resident
Clint Herbst
Resident
1. Approve Meeting Minutes — The August 13`h, 2003 PAC/TAC minutes were approved without
correction.
2. Discuss Traffic Analysis — FHWA requested that WSB & Associates, Inc. provide the
preliminary traffic operations analysis of CSAH 18 with the proposed interchange and
development. WSB had concluded that the operations on CSAH 18 would operate at an
acceptable Level of Service (LOS) with the new Ryan development and the redistributed traffic
from the old CSAH 75 interchange to the new CSAH 18 interchange. The analysis showed the
CSAH 18 proposed intersections would operate at a LOS C. LOS D is considered an acceptable
LOS for urban intersections. LOS is graded A, B, C, D, E & F; and is a grade given to the
intersection based on the amount of delay experienced per vehicle at each intersection. LOS A
would be the best with F being the worst. An intersection graded LOS C would result in vehicles
experiencing 20 to 35 seconds of delay.
FHWA is concerned with the signal operations at the ramp terminals causing vehicles to queue up
onto I-94. The analysis had shown that this shouldn't be an issue, since the intersections would
be operating efficiently. Another concern form FHWA is the configuration of the interchange
with ramps that connect into local streets. This type of configuration could preclude the ability to
upgrade the interchange if it experiences operational problems that causes back-ups on the
interstate.
3. Access Concerns — See frontage roads.
4. Frontage Roads
Southern I-94 Frontage Road — Connecting CSAH 75, south of I-94, into the north -south section
of CSAH 18, fronting the south edge of I-94 was looked at by WSB. It wouldn't be feasible to
grade separate the proposed frontage road from the railroad because the elevation change
necessary for CSAH 75 would cause impacts to the residential development south of CSAH 75 or
would require a grade steeper than 10% along CSAH 75. WSB will further evaluate the impacts
of extending CSAH 75 between the ball fields and I-94 or using the existing residential street
south of the ball fields. Another option would be to connect this frontage road to the east -west
section of CSAH 18 south of the Meadow Oaks neighborhood. WSB will also analyze the
amount of traffic that would be expected to use the frontage road on a daily basis.
It was suggested to consider moving the ball fields to another location in town that would provide
better parking for the facilities. It was also suggested that if the ball fields were relocated the ball
field in the southwest quadrant of Chelsea and CSAH 18 could be considered for relocation to the
same area. All of the fields mentioned do not currently have enough parking.
Northern I-94 Frontage Road — Extending 95th Street, east of Gillard Avenue, westerly to connect
into the proposed severed section of CSAH 75 north of I-94 was considered for a northern I-94
frontage road. The committee agreed this would be a good connection providing another egress
for the neighborhood and future developments.
5. Interchange Right-of-way Footprint — A right-of-way footprint for the proposed CSAH 18
interchange showed to leave little land left over for development in the Concrete Plant site. Terry
Humbert stated that Mn/DOT would consider taking 100 feet from the ramp centerlines for right-
of-way limits. WSB will reevaluate the remaining development land with the suggested right-of-
way.
6. Property Owner Issues — Ken Streeter asked for an updated schedule for completion of the
CSAH 18 interchange. Terry Humbert explained that the earliest possible date for the start of
construction is July of 2005. This date may need to be extended to March of 2006 depending on
right-of-way negotiations and funding. Ken Streeter explained that the purchase and sale of the
Dalheimer property are dependent on the interchange construction schedule.
A question was raised if Mn/DOT had decided if I-94 would go under or over the railroad. Terry
Humbert stated they should know within a month. It appears the freeway noise levels would be
the same for either.
7. Other — It was requested that WSB provide issue maps to all of the committee members.
8. Next Meeting — The committee decided to wait and schedule the next meeting when Mn/DOT
makes a decision on whether I-94 goes over or under the railroad.
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