David,
I appreciate your desire to remove confusion regarding both the Access
Project and the reopening of Nicollet Avenue. The City's Public Works
Department is in the midst of preparing a very comprehensive traffic study
for South Minneapolis streets looking at expected natural traffic growth
without either the Access Project or the reopening of Nicollet Avenue and
then comparing these projections with: 1) traffic increases as a result of
the Access Project; 2) increases as a result of opening Nicollet without the
Access Project; 3) traffic increases added by both of these initiatives; and
4) changes in traffic levels on local streets as a result of turning 1st and
Blaisdell Avenues from their current one-way to two-way. The numbers show
that Lake Street needs to be widened should Nicollet reopen with or without
the Access Project. If the Access Project is implemented, the width of Lake
Street is not dependent on any particular configuration for the new ramps.
Lake Street will never become a freeway. I want to make this point very
clear in order to avoid needless confusion and alarm among residents. I am
aware that some residents fear the worst about the Access Project, but in
actuality the community based Mitigation/Enhancement Subcommittee of the
Project Advisory Committee (PAC) has been working very hard to minimize
and/or mitigate traffic conditions on County/City streets resulting from the
placement of new on/off freeway ramps in the Lake Street area.
David, I feel compelled to provide you with some information that hopefully
you will find useful in evaluating the Access Project and the future of Lake
Street:
1. Mn/DOT right-of-way width for I-35W at Lake Street is 287.5 feet.
Comparing that with Lake Street, between Stevens and Nicollet Avenues, the
worst case scenario for Lake Street with 15 foot sidewalks on both sides and
wide medians (18 to 32 feet) would be 133 feet. Other scenarios will reduce
this overall width. Lake Street will never again be reconstructed anytime
during our lifetimes.
2. In this two block segment the number of west and eastbound through lanes
would increase from 2 to 3 in both directions. In addition, westbound right
and left-turn lanes are needed at Nicollet Avenue and an eastbound turn lane
at 1st Avenue. This chart reflects the analysis prepared for Lake Street by
Public Works given three scenarios. What it basically says is that with
only the Access Project the total number of through lanes and turn lanes at
its maximum between Stevens and Nicollet Avenues increases from 5 to 6. Add
the reopening of Nicollet, this number increases to 7, but only in 2 short
segments. Then in converting 1st/Blaisdell to two-way streets increases the
number to 7 in 4 of these 6 segments.
Lake Both Access and Both projects +
Street Access Project only Nic. reopening 1st/Blaisdell -
2-way
Segment EB WB Total EB WB Total EB WB
Total
Blaisdell to Nic. 2T+L 2T+L 5 3T+L 2T+L 6 3T+L
3T+L 7
Nicollet to 1st 2T+L 2T+L 6 3T+L 3T+L 7 3T+L 3T+L
7
1st to Stevens 2T+R 3T 6 3T 3T 6 3T 3T+L
7
Stevens to 2nd 2T+L 2T+L 6 2T+L 3T+L 7 2T+L 3T+L
7
2nd to 3rd 2T 2T+R 5 2T 3T 5 2T 3T
5
3rd to Clinton 2T 2T 4 2T 2T 4 2T 2T
4
T = through lanes L = left-turn lanes R =
Right-turn lanes
3. Regarding the architect, Dean Dovolis, who you quoted in last week's
e-mail as stating that the current design of their project is not possible
if the option requiring a wider Lake Street is chosen, let me suggest that
you contact Loren Brueggemann, Vice President for Development at Sherman
Associates. I have his phone number if you cannot get is elsewhere. I want
to assure everyone that both the Access Project and the reopening of
Nicollet are being designed to accommodate each other with total
compatibility. Mr. Brueggemann has agreed to the number of through lanes
and turn lanes being suggested for Lake Street in this segment. It also
needs to be emphasized that the County's proposed Lake Street
Streetscaping/Reconstruction project will not increase the number of lanes
in the 48 block segment of Lake between Lyndale and the West River Parkway,
except for the 5 block area affected by both the Access Project and the
reopening of Nicollet between 3rd and Blaisdell Avenues. Mr. Brueggemann
also agrees that street parking cannot be provided along Lake Street
adjacent to the Nicollet/Lake redevelopment project. Sherman Associates
does, however, wish to see the sidewalk and median widths reduced so as to
leave as much space available as possible for their development. To date,
the PAC and the Mitigation/Enhancement Subcommittee have been firm in
stating their preference for 15 foot wide sidewalks and medians that would
provide "safe havens" for those unable to cross in one cycle. They also
have recommended that streetscaping/plantings occur within these wide
medians. Myself and other project staff are working closely with Loren and
others from Sherman Associates in attempt to find agreement regarding the
sidewalks and medians. Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday of next
week.
4. I have spoken often with Denny Donaldson, CEO of NICO Plating, regarding
their expansion plans and timetable. He is clearly stating today, as he has
said often in the past, that NICO Plating's expansion plans are not being
affected by the proposed Access Project. He realizes that some
inconvenience during construction will be experienced, but as long as his
plating business will always be accessible during this time, his plans will
not change and he looks forward to the new freeway ramps and improved Lake
Street. I also have his phone number should you need it.
5. I must reiterate the comments made by Commissioner Peter McLaughlin
regarding the PAC's recommendation that the flyover to 28th Street be
provided as a part of the project. I can assure you that no public or
private official either made a deal or attempted to influence the process
that led to the Committee's recommendation. The Committee made this
recommendation almost 2 years ago and will have opportunity to confirm or
modify their entire set of recommendations for the project after additional
public meetings/open houses are held later this year.
Regarding your alleged "fleecing" of the tax payer regarding the study of
reconstructing I-35W below Lake Street, reversing the current situation, the
work done by SEH and presented to the PAC on June 25 did not cost anywhere
near $15,000. It was also not a "dust off" from earlier studies. Light
Rail has a clearance standard to be met. The standard for LRT is less than
that of heavy rail, but nevertheless this design standard must be met. Upon
your request, I will provide you a copy of this study for use in reviewing
this issue further. PAC members voted unanimously during the meeting to
dismiss this idea from further consideration. In fact, some neighborhood
representatives on the Committee strongly stated that tax payers money was
being wasted in even looking at this unrealistic idea in the first place.
Finally, David, I know that it's been sometime since you have been closely
involved with this project and so I am hoping that you will informing me of
when you may have time for myself and the technical consultants to provide a
complete update. A number of your speculations and allegations do not
resemble factual occurrences or circumstances, I hope that we can set the
record straight on these and other issues involving I-35W and Lake Street.
Thank you for your interest.
Tom Johnson
Transportation Consultant
SMITH PARKER, P.L.L.P
Phone: (612) 344-1400
Fax: (612) 344-1550
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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