Transportation Advisory Commission Minutes - 01-28-2004ATTENDANCE:
Terry Humbert
Chad Hausmann
Virgil Hawkins
Rick Wolfsteller
Jeff O'Neill
John Simola
011ie Koropchak
Bret Weiss
Doug Weiszhaar
Nancy Hanzlik
Brandi Popenhagen
I-94/CSAH 18 Interchange
Technical Advisory Committee
Monticello, MN
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
Meeting Minutes
Mn/DOT Dist.3
Mn/DOT Dist.3
Wright County
City of Monticello
City of Monticello
City of Monticello
City of Monticello
WSB & Assoc. / Monticello City Engineer
WSB & Assoc.
WSB & Assoc.
WSB & Assoc.
1. Approve December 17th 2003 Meeting Minutes
Meeting minutes should be revised to reflect FHWA's comments below:
The previous FHWA approval for this interchange utilized a configuration that was
different from what we have seen proposed by the City of Monticello in recent concepts.
Please be aware that these changes will require formal approval by FHWA. Based on our
Interstate access policy, folded diamonds must be justified by extenuating circumstances.
The use of a temporary at -grade RR crossing for staging I-94 is contingent upon utilizing
it for only one -season.
Utilization of the existing ramp will need to be analyzed as part of your operations
analysis.
2. Mn/DOT Project Update
There is a potential to fix the fatigue nature of the bridges on I-94 over CSAH 75 and the
BNSF Railroad with plate welding if the bridges are not experiencing fatigue. Mn/DOT
is sending out crews to do nondestructive testing to test the bridge fatigue. If the bridges
are not undergoing fatigue than Mn/DOT would prefer to add the plates and choose to
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redeck the bridges instead of reconstructing and realigning I-94. Mn/DOT expects to
make a decision in February.
A question was raised that in addition to bridge replacements, wasn't there a crash history
in the areas of the bridges because of the vertical and horizontal geometry. Chad
Hausmann explained that the crash history shows a lot of crashes occurred in 1997 which
was the last major snow year. He said that a lot of crashes also occurred at the WB exit
ramp head. He explained that sometimes police reports aren't always accurate in the
location of a crash though. He stated the proposed geometry on I-94 changes the
horizontal alignment by lengthening the tangents between the horizontal curves. The
new bridges are much shorter, if CSAH 75 was severed, and they would be on tangent
sections and off the supertransition areas of the alignment. However, the vertical change
in grade would stay the same.
The City of Monticello believed that geometrics on I-94 were a safety problem. The
curves are unexpected and are uncomfortable to drive. If there is ice or snow then the
bridges and corresponding geometrics are often the cause for accidents.
It was stated that improving I-94 geometrics in this area was identified as a high priority
project and has an expectation from the public and legislature for a timely delivery. If it
is not decided to realign I-94 and set it up for 6-lanes it may have consequences to the
interchange project.
Terry Humbert stated that if the testing shows signs of fatigue and cracking then
Mn/DOT would prefer to realign I-94. He also stated that the concrete pavement on I-94
is 30 years old and the need to replace the pavement could provide another reason for
regrading I-94.
Schedule:
Mn/DOT explained that the FONSI approval could be another 2-months.
Mn/DOT would have to wait until spring to get piezometers readings and determine if
they could go under the railroad with I-94. Mn/DOT would also be concerned with
draining a pond/wetland in the Meadow Oaks neighborhood if they depress I-94. The
City of Monticello mentioned that the bounce in the pond may have destroyed the
wetland qualities it once had.
Doug Weiszhaar anticipated that Wright County will have a meeting with their board on
February 91h to discuss their financial commitment towards the interchange.
3. Update on CSAH 18 Traffic Analysis
WSB is still working on the Base CORSIM model to submit to Mn/DOT. They have
looked at future volumes in the area of the interchange and it is becoming clear that by
connecting 71h Street into CSAH 18 the CSAH 18 NB left turns onto CSAH 75 would be
reduced. Terry Humbert requested that WSB look at how the volumes change if the
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Fallon Avenue bridge over the interstate is left out of the TRANPLAN future build
models. WSB will consider this for the operation analysis. WSB will also set a meeting
with FHWA to go over some interchange concepts and operations.
4. Discuss Southern Frontage Road
The City and the County would consider a 3/4 intersection access to the future Southern
Frontage Road. A left turn from SB CSAH 18 would be allowed into the frontage road,
but a right-in/right-out would be allowed out of the frontage road. The school access
would be right-in/right-out. This would prevent the need for a signal at this intersection.
5. Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25th 2004 at 3:00pm.
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