HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-027 - ADMIN Resolution - City Council - 2005/02/22RESOLUTION NO. 05-027
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING RECONSTRUCTION OF HIGHWAY 100
AND
OPPOSING DELAYS IN THE PROPOSED PROJECT SCHEDULE
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) plans to
reconstruct Highway 100 between 36`h Street and Cedar Lake Road to expand the roadway to a
six -lane freeway, replace the existing bridges to add an additional lane in each direction, rebuild
the interchanges at Highway 7 and Minnetonka Boulevard, correct deficient bndge clearances,
improve drainage, address flooding problems under the railroad bndge, add water quality and
retention ponds, add noise mitigation walls, and correct other deficiencies in the system; and
WHEREAS, Mn/DOT's long-range transportation plan called for the reconstruction to
begin in 2005, was rescheduled to 2010, and is again proposed to be rescheduled to start no
sooner than 2014; and
WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park believes Highway 100 improvements are
essential to the economic vitality and the quality of life in our community and the region at large,
and should undergo reconstruction as soon as possible for the following reasons:
• Originally built in the mid -1930's, this section is part of the onginal beltway around the
Twin Cities. Minimal work has occurred on this 2.1 mile stretch of roadway over the last
60 years.
• This segment is the last four -lane section remaining on Highway 100 and is one of the
busiest and most congested four -lane freeways in the metro area. Traffic volumes on this
segment were over capacity in 2001 and are only getting worse.
• Crash rates for this stretch of Highway 100 are second highest of all non -interstate
roadways in Minnesota, with 25 percent of Highway 100 crashes occurring at the West
36th Street terminus.
• Local neighborhoods in St Louis Park and Edina are inundated with cars during peak
drive -time hours. Cut -through traffic impacts the safety of our residents and their quality
of life.
• The estimated project cost is $80 million for construction and $7 million for nght-of-way
acquisition. Mn/DOT has estimated that the delay to 2014 will increase project costs to
at least $104 million.
• Mn/DOT has indicated that the Hwy 100 project will not occur until after the
Crosstown/35W project has been completed (2009-2010). It is felt that the Hwy 100
project should be constructed before or during the Crosstown/35W project.
• The Hwy 100 project was originally designated by Mn/DOT as a high priority along with
the Crosstown/35W project. It is unclear why this pnontization has changed The
original pnontization should be honored as the need has not changed.
Resolution No. 05-027 -2-
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NOW THEREFORE LET IT BE KNOWN, that the City Council of the City of St.
ark supports reconstruction of Highway 100 and opposes delays in the proposed project
Rev'e ed for Administration A ed by the ity Council February 22, 2005
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City
Attest.
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City Clerk
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