HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.a. Trunk Highway 52 Corridor StudyCITY OF ROSEMOUNT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR ACTION
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: November 5, 1991
AGENDA ITEM:
Highway 52 Corridor Study
AGENDA SECTION:
Director's Report
PREPARED BY:
AGENDA �sEM
�jj. 4A
Lisa Freese,
Director of Planning
ATTACHMENTS:
SEH Proposal for TH 52 Corridor
APP- BY:
Study
''
Earlier this year, Rosemount Planning staff formed a Xforking gr up with the
City of Inver Grove Heights, Dakota County and Minnesota Department of
Transportation staff to examine transportation and land use issues in the
Trunk Highway 52 Corridor within Rosemount and Inver Grove Heights.
Planning staff's overall goal is to develop a plan that will specifically
address the hierarchy of roads necessary to support continued industrial
development in Eastern Rosemount and to integrate this plan into the update
of the City's Comprehensive Plan.
Due to safety and capacity issues raised by Koch Refinery last summer, MDOT
has elevated the level of effort on this study. Koch Refinery has hired
Short -Elliot -Hendrickson, Inc. to perform an internal traffic study for
their facilities. In order to take advantage of the data collection being
performed for Koch's study, the working group asked SEH to submit a
proposal for the T.H. 52 Corridor Study. A copy of the proposal is
included in the Council packet. The objectives of the study are to
identify the roadway's appropriate future functional classification and
develop alternatives for accommodated the corridor's projected traffic
flows. The estimated completion date for the study is January, 1992.
It is anticipated that MDOT will be funding $30,000 of the study. The
other participants --Dakota County, the Cities of Rosemount and Inver Grove
Heights --have been asked to contribute to the study. City staff is
currently discussing with the other participants the appropriate level of
contribution for each.
No formal action is required on the study at this time, but the City
Council is encouraged to discuss any comments or concerns that you have
regarding the proposed traffic study.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: None required at this time
COUNCIL ACTION: I
OA
AdEr
AgWSE"
ENGINEERS ■ ARCNRECTS f PLANNERS
October 21,1991
3535 VADNA1S CENTER DRIVE, ST PAUL, MINNESOTA 55110 612490-2000
Ms. Lisa Freese,
Planning Director
City of Rosemount
2875145th Street West
P.O. Box 510
Rosemount, Minnesota 55068-0510
Dear Ms. Freese:
Short -Elliott -Hendrickson, Inc. (SEH) appreciates the opportunity to submit
a proposal for the T.H. 52 Corridor Study. We have incorporated Task Force
members' comments from our draft proposal.
We are prepared to address additional comments or concerns with regard to
the proposal at the October 25,1991 Task Force meeting.
If you have questions prior to the meeting, please call me at (612) 490-2045.
Sincerely,
Short -Elliott -Hendrickson, Inc.
, d Z�� /,,,
Glen Van Wormer, P.E.,
Manager, Transportation Department
copy: Task Force Members
Steven G. Hanna, Koch Refining Company
SHORT ELLIOTT ST PAUL, CHIPPEWA FALLS,
HENDRICKSON INC. MINNESOTA WISCONS!N
T.H. 52 -Corridor Study
1. Introduction
The future transportation impacts of Trunk Highway 52 (T.H. 52) in the vicinity of its
intersection with T.H. 55 has been the source of concern between Mn/DOT, Dakota County, and
the Cities of Inver Grove Heights and Rosemount. The concerns centered around the rapid rate
of development in the vicinity of the T.H. 52 corridor and led to formation of the Highway 52
Task Force, comprised of the above four governmental entities. The Task Force is looking to
chart the future of T.H. 52.
Koch Refining Company is a major industry located on the west side of T.H. 52 at the intersection
with T.H. 55, which generates heavy commercial and passenger car traffic in this area. To help
in their immediate and long-range planning, Koch Refining Company hired Short -Elliott -
Hendrickson, Inc. (SEH) to address their traffic access to this roadway system.
SEH proposes to identify the future functional classification and develop design concepts of the
T.H. 52 corridor through consensus of the Highway 52 Task Force. The current study for Koch
Refining Company will be incorporated into this process. For the purpose of this study, the
T.H. 52 corridor generally includes the area one mile either side of T.H. 52 from Concord
Boulevard on the north to the south city limits of the City of Coates.
11. Project Approach
SEH proposes to conduct a study of the above defined T.H. 52 corridor to identify the future
functional classification and develop design concepts consistent with that classification through
consensus of the Highway 52 Task Force. To accomplish this, we will collect existing data in this
corridor relating to traffic, employment, geometries and land use. We will then incorporate that
data into a computer forecasting model prepared for Dakota County by SEH. The computer
modeling will be used to replicate existing conditions.
We will then use the computer model to project future conditions. We will look at five- and 20 -
year projections for the T.H. 52 corridor. This step requires the assistance of Dakota County and
Mn/DOT in agreeing on traffic assumptions, and the cities of Inver Grove Heights, Rosemount
and Coates for direction in future land -use assumptions.
After completing future traffic projections, we will revise the five-year and 20 -year projections
to include the extension of Cliff Road to T.H. 52 and the extension of County Road 46 (C.R. 46)
to T.H. 52 in the vicinity of C.R. 48. Of importance in these comparisons is input from Dakota
County regarding the reality of these extensions occurring and the time frame in which they may
occur.
Short -Elliott -Hendrickson, Inc. Page 1
With the determination of future traffic volumes, we will involve the Task Force in consensus
- building process to identify the appropriate future functional classification of the roadway.
Based on the agreed upon functional classification of the roadway, traffic projections and
potential for street extensions, we will develop alternatives for the T.H. 52 corridor capable of
accommodating the projected traffic volumes and street extensions. In addition, the future traffic
impacts to C.R. 71 will be identified since it is a parallel/alternative route to T.H. 52.
III. Work Program
The following is a detailed explanation of the proposed project approach:
A. Data Collection. SEH will collect the most recent traffic volume and classification
data for the major and minor roadways in the study area. We will also carry into
this study information from the Koch Refining Company study relating to specific
traffic generation of the immediate area individual businesses. This information
includes data by shift (if applicable) relating to number of employees, location of
employees' residences, customers, contractors, seasonal variations, maintenance
activities, etc.
We will compile Travel Behavior Inventory Origin/Destination Data collected by
the Metropolitan Council in Dakota County (if available), existing roadway
geometrics and aerial photographs from Mn/DOT, and functional classification
guidelines from the Metropolitan Council. We will also collect all available
accident information for T.H. 52/55 within this corridor.
We will gather information relative to the existing railroad crossings in this
corridor. This information from Mn/DOT and the railroad companies will include
accidents, use of crossings and future plans for crossings.
B. Define Existing Characteristics. SEH will use the data collected and the computer
forecasting model prepared for Dakota County by SEH to simulate existing traffic
flow conditions. Of vital importance in developing this simulation is obtaining
historical traffic volume data, updated land use information, and roadway
network improvements from the Cities of Inver Grove Heights, Rosemount and
Coates. We propose to incorporate land use and zoning information into our
CADD effort for use and display. With development of an accurate simulation of
existing conditions, future projections become more meaningful.
C. Define Future Characteristics. Using the computer forecasting model, we will
develop projected traffic volumes for five and 20 years into the future. In
developing these projected traffic flows, it is necessary to meet with Dakota
County to verify and confirm external cordon traffic volumes entering the study
area. Of equal importance are meetings with the cities of Inver Grove Heights,
Rosemount, and Coates to define what these cities expect and desire for future
land use within the study area.
Short -Elliott -Hendrickson, Inc. Page 2
Our input from the Koch Refinery study relating to future plans of area businesses
and industry will also be included in this portion of the study. Other potential
southeast metropolitan area street and highway improvements providing access
to T.H. 52 will be kept in mind throughout the study. Consideration will be given
to the Cahill/T.H. 52 reconfiguration, T.H. 3 extension, T.H. 149 north and south
junction, I -35/I-494 potential connections, Pilot Knob realignment, and the
Mendota Bridge upgrading. Our analysis will also identify potential impacts on
C.R. 71 as a result of traffic growth and changes in the corridor. This study will not
consider the possibility of a new airport in Dakota County. However, this study
will be performed in such a manner that the analysis for an airport study could be
easily coordinated.
D. Analysis of Roadway Extensions. With completion of future traffic projections,
we propose changing the existing road system in the computer model to analyze
the impacts on the T.H. 52 corridor with 5- and 20 -year traffic projections. These
changes will include extending Cliff Road to T.H. 52 and extending C.R. 46 to T.H.
52 in the vicinity of County Road 48.
E. Identify Functional Classifications. After developing future traffic projections for
the corridor, we will involve the Task Force in a consensus building process to
identify the roadway's appropriate future functional classification to the
Metropolitan Council. The Task Force's consensus of functional classification will
be forwarded.
F. Develop Alternatives. Based on agreed functional classification, alternatives will
be proposed for accommodating the corridor's projected traffic flows. These
alternatives will include concepts to provide adequate capacity on T.H. 52 and will
address intersections, access, frontage roads, railroad crossings and interchange
systems as applicable. The development of alternatives will recognize the volume
of truck traffic which exists in this corridor. A list of advantages and disadvantages
will be prepared for each alternative. SEH will incorporate Dakota County's
topographic mapping into our CADD efforts. We will use the available
topographic maps and aerial photographs in evaluating the alternatives to
determine their feasibility and practicality. The alternatives developed will be
presented on aerial maps (available from Mn/DOT) to the Task Force for their
consideration. The Task Force will identify up to four alternatives or combinations
thereof for further evaluation which will include a more detailed analysis of traffic
operations, design feasibility and rough cost estimates.
G. Implementation Strategy. Short- and long-term strategies will be defined for each
alternative. Subsequent to the more detailed analysis of these alternatives as
described above, we anticipate that the Task Force will form a consensus as to a
preferred alternative. The agreed upon concept will be further defined to identify
the details of implementation. We will assist the Task Force in defining
responsibilities for the various stages of implementation.
Short -Elliott -Hendrickson, Inc. Page 3
IV. Communication
The Highway 52 Task Force will be kept informed throughout the study through regular status
reports and meetings. We propose to meet with the Task Force up to six times through the
development of alternatives and then present our improvement alternatives. At the presentation
meeting, the Task Force shall identify up to four alternatives for further evaluation. We
anticipate the need to meet up to two times with the Task Force prior to presenting the results of
those further evaluations. SEH will schedule one meeting with each of the individual Task Force
representatives and the City of Coates to discuss jurisdiction concerns. This communication
process is aimed at developing a consensus of Task Force members as the study proceeds.
V. Schedule
SEH has already started collecting data for Koch Refining Company's access study. We can
therefore immediately expand the limits of their study to those established this study. We
anticipate an early meeting with the Task Force to confirm the study scope, direction and work
program. The meeting to present alternatives should be held approximately 12 weeks after our
initial meeting. The follow-up meeting to discuss further evaluation of up to four alternatives
will be approximately four weeks later. We anticipate a draft report will be available
approximately 20 weeks after the study is started.
VII. Staff Assignments
Glen Van Wormer, P.E. is Manager of the Transportation Department at SEH. As Principal -in -
Charge, Glen will supervise and oversee all aspects of the T.H. 52 study. Glen has more than 26
years' experience in transportation engineering and planning. Fifteen years of Glen's career were
spent at Mn/DOT. He brings valuable communication and coordination experience with Mn/
DOT, the Metropolitan Council, counties and cities. Glen's varied background has been an asset
in developing and implementing practical and current long-range planning/engineering
solutions.
Thomas A. Sohrweide, P.E. has more than 17 years' experience as a traffic engineer. For 14 years
of his career he was the Traffic and Parking Engineer for the City of Appleton, Wisconsin. Since
joining SEH, Tom has been project manager on concept and preliminary road design projects,
traffic studies and traffic signal system design projects. Tom will serve as project manager and
be responsible for coordinating the development of alternative improvements for the T.H. 52
corridor and determining the capacity needed to handle projected traffic volumes. He is well -
versed in the use of a variety of software used in the analysis of roadway capacity and signal
progression. Tom will provide overall management assistance to project team members and
coordinate the writing of various report sections.
Robert H. Byers, P.E. is a transportation engineer who has focused much of his 15 -year career in
transportation planning and forecasting with special emphasis on computer modeling. Bob was
project manager for the Dakota County Transportation Study and has continued to work closely
with the County to further develop, refine and update the model. Bob's primary responsibility
will be coordination with the Cities of Rosemount, Inver Grove Heights and Coates to update
the existing and projected land -use database in the computer model. He will be responsible for
Short -Elliott -Hendrickson, Inc. Page 4
calibrating the model and developing traffic volume forecasts. In addition, Bob will play a major
role in developing consensus with the Task Force with respect to the functional class of the
roadway. Assistance in developing alternatives for corridor improvements will also be provided
by Bob.
Richard E. Luhrsen, C.E.T. has more than 35 years' experience in highway, transitway and
airport design, and environmental documentation. Dick served as project manager on numerous
highway design and geometric layouts while employed with Mn/DOT. Dick's primary
responsibility will be participation in the development of practical, creative alternatives for
improvements to the T.H. 52 corridor.
Gina M. Pizzo, P.E. has more than 10 years' experience as a project manager and design engineer
on rural state and U.S. highways from concept to completion of plans, specifications and
estimates. Gina will also participate in development of alternatives for the T.H. 52 corridor.
Cindy R. Gray, A.M.P. has more than six years' experience as a transportation planner with a
variety of experience from computer modeling to development of impact studies, site plan
review, and conceptual alignment/geometric studies. Much of her work revolves around the
interface between highway/roadway operations and adjacent land uses, site design, driveways
and local streets. Cindy will assist Bob Byers in compiling background traffic volume and land
use updates in the model, and will assist in development of alternatives for corridor
improvement.
VIII. Estimated Hours and Fees
We propose to base our fee on actual costs for work performed with a maximum not -to -exceed
amount. Invoices will be based on actual hours worked utilizing payroll costs times a multiplier
to provide for administration, overhead and profit. Actual cost of expenses including mileage,
publication of reports and computer usage will be invoiced and are included in the estimated
cost.
We have developed an estimate of cost based on an assumption of person hours for each of the
steps within the work program. An outline of estimated hours and fees follows on the next page.
Short -Elliott -Hendrickson, Inc. Page 5
Estimated Task Hours and Fees
Task
Data Collection
Define Existing Characteristics
Define Future Characteristics
Analysis of Roadway Extensions
Identify Functional Classifications
Develop Alternatives and
Implementation Strategy
Final Report
REL/ CADD
GVW TAS RHB CRG GMP Tech. Clerical
4
16
4
20
16
6
29
11
16
4
6
20
4
12
4
16
16
4
12
24
16
40
72
56
40
68
24
10
5
24
24
24
20
10
Total Estimated Hours 57 164 165 103 68 100 20
Hourly Rates $93.00 $79.50 $63.00 $51.00 $55.00 $43.25 $27.50
Total Fees by Staff Member $5,301 $13,038 $10,395 $5,253 $3,740 $4,325 $550
Total Fees $42,602
Mileage, Computer, Miscellaneous
Contingency (5%)
Total Estimated Fee
$3,340
$2,298
$4%240
Short -Elliott -Hendrickson, Inc. Page 6
e
The estimate is contingent upon the assumptions described in the previous work task
discussions. Additional meetings or significant changes in scope (such as the desire to evaluate
additional alternatives) could change the actual cost considerably.
We recognize that planning studies of this type are difficult to estimate since the original
approach can lead to new unanticipated ideas. The evaluation of any new concepts have the
potential to modify the project scope. We will use the flexibility within the budget wherever
possible to handle any day-to-day approach modifications and if needed changes are apparent,
we will notify the Task Force immediately for direction as how to proceed.
To add flexibility to the budget and assure that any unanticipated cost items are covered, a
contingency of five percent has been included in the total estimated cost. SEH will be willing to
undertake the study for a maximum not -to -exceed fee of $48,240.
Short -Elliott -Hendrickson, Inc. Page 7