ADMINISTRATION- Jon Haukaas, Director of Public Works
Title
APPROVE RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF AN APPLICATION UNDER THE MINNESOTA HIGHWAY FREIGHT PROGRAM FOR A GRADE SEPARATED INTERCHANGE ON TRUNK HIGHWAY 65 AT 99TH AVE
Background
The City of Blaine is submitting an application for funding under the Minnesota Highway Freight Program (MHFP) for funding to construct a grade separated intersection of Trucnk Highway 65 at 99th Avenue NE/.
The Minnesota Highway Freight Program is a grant program designed to improve safety, mobility, and meet the needs of the state’s freight transportation system on a local level. The application requests $7M in 2024 to construct the interchange.
Trunk Highway (TH) 65 is a principal arterial located within the Twin Cities metropolitan area in Anoka County. As the only continuous north/south corridor of its size and capacity in Anoka County, TH 65 is a vital link for passenger and commercial traffic traveling between the Twin Cities urban core and northern suburban and exurban communities. At the project location, TH 65 is currently a four-lane divided highway with the following characteristics:
• Classified as a principal arterial with a primary function of providing mobility, while also providing access to adjacent land uses
• Posted speed limit is 55 miles per hour (mph)
• Signalized intersection with 99th Ave NE with no restricted turn movements
• Serves approximately 50,000 vehicles per day (2,000 heavy commercial vehicles per day)
The proposed project would implement a grade separated crossing at 99th Ave NE. The need for the project was identified as part of multiple studies including:
• the MnDOT Highway 65 Safety and Mobility Corridor Study,
• the Principal Arterial Intersection Conversion Study, and
• the Congestion Management Safety Plan (CMSP) Phase IV
All studies identified the need for construction of a grade separated intersection at this location and that such project would greatly reduce congestion, improve safety and improve pedestrian and bicycle access across TH65.
Recommendation
By motion, approve the resolution.
Body
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is accepting applications for project funding for the Minnesota Highway Freight Program (MHFP) for Fiscal Years 2023-2025; and
WHEREAS, the City of Blaine wishes to help facilitate the construction of a grade separated interchange on Trunk Highway (TH) 65 at 99th Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the City of Blaine has participated along with Anoka County and MnDOT in a Planning and Environmental Linkages Study (PELS) to identify projects for improvement to safety and capacity on TH 65; and
WHEREAS, multiple studies including the Highway 65 Safety and Mobility Corridor Study, the Principal Arterial Intersection Conversion Study, and the Congestion Management Safety Plan (CMSP) Phase IV have all identified the need for construction of a grade separated intersection at this location and that such project would greatly reduce congestion, improve safety and improve pedestrian and bicycle access across TH65; and
WHEREAS, the project will be of mutual benefit to both the Department of Transportation and the City of Blaine; and
WHEREAS, the City of Blaine is submitting an application for funding of the project through the Minnesota Highway Freight Program (MHFP); and
WHEREAS, funding is from the federal National Highway Freight Program to provide states the support to make freight movement improvements and such funded improvements will also help to meet the investment goals identified in the State Freight Plan;
WHEREAS, the City of Blaine agrees to complete the project if selected and funding is provided, and will provide the city share of the costs as part of the MHFP program;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of Blaine supports the application for funding of the project from the Minnesota Department of Transportation through the Minnesota Highway Freight Program (MHFP) for Fiscal Year 2024.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 21st day of September 2020.