To David Piehl: Here are my responses to your characterization and version of the facts regarding the I-35W Access Project. It should be clarified that we are talking about two separate projects when discussing the Access Project and Lake Street reconstruction/ streetscaping. The County is administering both projects. Lake Street, from 5th Avenue west to Lyndale is currently thought to begin reconstructing and streetscaping in 2005 as a response to plans for reopening Nicollet Avenue, providing new on and off ramps and the traffic model forecasted natural growth (without either of these projects) for the year 2020. This construction needs to be timed with both the Access Project and reopening of Nicollet . From 5th Avenue east to West River Parkway the County will be reconstructing/streetscaping Lake Street as a separate project. A citizen based Project Advisory Committee for the Lake Street work is now being formed.
Here are my specific responses to a number of your issues mentioned in your recent postings. 1. Your allegation that the taxpayer was fleeced by the consultant who did the analysis of I-35W below Lake Street rather than the current situation is inaccurate. You speculated that this study cost $15,000. Accountings from the consultant indicate that no more than $2,300 was spent on this task. On June 25 the Project Advisory Committee voted unanimously to not consider this idea any further and some members questioned why we had bothered to spend any time on it in the first place. In response other PAC members recalled that they looked at nearly 30 alternatives in the course of their work, several of these alternatives were suggested by you when you were a PAC member. So, the Committee felt that to analyze this idea was not unusual or inappropriate. PAC members were very pleased with the consultant report. 2. Mn/DOT's right-of-way width in the Lake Street area is 287.5 feet, 2nd and Stevens Avenues are not included in this width, as you have reported, because both streets were conveyed back to the City of Minneapolis long ago. They are city streets and not part of Mn/DOT's right-of-way. For more information on this call John Griffith at Mn/DOT (651-582-1000). 3. The freeway bridge over 31st Street is 144 feet wide. The width of the lanes and shoulders at 32nd Street is 135 feet. Add the existing on/off ramps and the curb to curb width is 225 feet. At Lake Street the curb to curb width is 170 feet. The difference between the right-of-way width and the widths of lanes and shoulders is 117.5 feet. For the most part, this difference consists of gradual slopes because this is a freeway where vehicles are intended to move non-stop at a high rate of speed. We know that this doesn't always happen because of peak hour congestion, but the slopes are an integral part of the freeway because from time to time vehicles end up off the road and the gradual slopes are intended to avoid major harm. Creating gradual slopes in urban areas is not always possible, but they are a needed part of freeway design just like lanes, shoulders, bridges, etc. It is a Primary Arterial designed to handle significant levels of traffic much more Minor Arterials such as Lake Street (currently 180,000 vehicles per day versus Lake Street in the low 20's). 4. Lake Street will never be redesigned as a freeway. As said above it is a Minor Arterial with a much lower posted speed and signals requiring frequent stops. Slopes are not needed and therefore the right-of-way width can be much less. On Lake Street, from 3rd Avenue west to Blaisdell (5 blocks), short segments of additional "through" lanes are being recommended along with turn lanes where necessary to allow traffic to safely turn onto local streets, and into businesses, housing, etc. From Blaisdell west and from 5th Avenue east the number of "through" lanes will not change on Lake Street (2 in each direction) and parking will be continued on both sides. There are more than 50 blocks between Lyndale and West River Parkway. So we are talking about widening essentially 5 blocks within this 50+ block area. 5. In my July 1 e-mail I indicated that 133 feet was the worst case and only within a short segment of this 5 block area. Included in the 133 feet was 30 feet of sidewalk (15 on each side) and wide center medians (18 to 32 feet) for streetscaping and safe places for pedestrians to wait when unable to cross in one light cycle. Work is currently under way, in conjunction with Sherman Associates, finding ways to reduce the necessary width. I doubt that you have seen the drawings and design work prepared for this by the PAC. Scaled models depicting the Lake Street bridge design options, including opportunities for retail space, have also been developed. I would expect that when you actually see them, you will no longer feel compelled to alarm residents by describing Lake Street as a perspective "freeway". 6. I do not intend to respond to anymore of your postings. I find your accusations and statements about me and others, especially Commissioner McLaughlin, to be totally inaccurate, distorted and without fact. I stand ready to meet with you and others from your ENUFF group at any time and at any place. I can bring technical people along to help discuss their findings, conclusions and recommendations. I am wanting this opportunity so that your next posting will be based on accurate information and facts. If you disagree with these facts, that's fine, and I hope that you will express your disagreement publicly. I will not attempt to persuade you or in any way influence your thinking on this project. I don't expect that I would have much success anyway. As I said, I do not intend to respond to anymore of your postings, but will look forward to our next communication opportunity occurring during this meeting. I sincerely hope that you will contact me to arrange it. Tom Johnson Transportation Consultant SMITH PARKER, P.L.L.P Phone: (612) 344-1400 Fax: (612) 344-1550 [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
