HomeMy WebLinkAbout5464 - ADMIN Resolution - City Council - 1976/01/19{
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RESOLUTION NO. 5464
RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT UPGRADING OF TRUNK
HIGHWAY 12 AND DEVELOPMENT OF FAST
LINK TRANSIT
WHEREAS traffic projections for major corridors in the western suburbs
exceed current capacities; and
WHEREAS there is a need for highway improvements to increase the capacity
of Trunk Highway 12 and other roadways in the area; and
WHEREAS a six -lane facility within essentially existing right-of-way of
Highway 12 is' only a vital part of a total transportation solution which must
include transit and other highway improvements; and
WHEREAS the design characteristics of'freeways can have a substantial
negative impact on accessibility to land within and adjacent to the corridor; and
WHEREAS new financing options may become available so that sole consideration
on the development of 1-394 proposal is no longer the only alternative to consider;
and
WHEREAS the St. Louis Park City Council has previously called for the
concurrent development of fast -link transit along a southwest alignment; and
WHEREAS the Urban Mass Transportation Administration recently announced its
intent to assist cities in the deployment of modern light-rail transit as an al-
ternative to buses and conventional rapid transit because of its greater flexibility
and lower cost; and
WHEREAS the City Council has reviewed the report of the Interstate Study
Committeer'and has met with persons knowledgeable in our area's transportation needs
and problems; and
WHEREAS the City Council recognizes that the problems are the joint concerns
of several municipalities, the Metropolitan Transit Commission, the Metropolitan
Council, the Transportation Advisory Board, and the Minnesota State Legislature;
NOW BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED by the City Council of St. Louis Park that:
(1) The City Council agrees with the findings -of -fact of the Interstate
Study Committee as submitted in its report;
(2) An exclusive transit facility be concurrently planned and constructed
along with Trunk Highway 12 in the corridor generally represented by
the Highway 7 alignment and rail lines running northeasterly and
southwesterly to and from Minneapolis and with a western suburban
terminus, and further, that specific consideration be given to the
light-rail transit concept;
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(3) Trunk Highway 12 be (a) either upgraded as part of the Federal
Aid Primary System by providing six lanes from 1-94 to 1-494, or
(b) developed to meet the national interstate system by providing
such design features as grade separations, accessibility to
present development and provide for accessibility to future
developments within the existing alignment;
(4) That other state highways in the area be considered for upgrading
by the Highway Department in order to increase their safety and
capacity for present and anticipated traffic;
(5) Should I-394 not be upgraded to national interstate standards that
funds be allocated to Trunk Highway 12 as a six -lane facility on
the Primary System;
(6) In any event, the development of a southwest transit line be
constructed in conjunction with the Trunk Highway facility;
(7) That additional funds to fulfill the foregoing total transportation
needs of this area be sought from both the Federal Highway Adminis-
tration and the Urban Mass Transportation Administration; and
(8) That concurrente in this resolution be sought from the cities of
M,iifaeapolis, Hopkins, Golden Valley, Minnetonka, the Metropolitan
Council, and the Governor of the State of Minnesota;
(9) The City Council lends its support to the several agencies and
municipalities involved in resolving questions of transportation
planning.
Adopted by the City Council January 19, 1976.
Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
Reviewed for administration: Approved as to form and legality:
City Manager City Attorney
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