City Council Meeting Date: May 15, 2024
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: David E. Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Subject:
TITLE
Consider Resolution Recommending MnDOT to Implement Interim Safety Solution on Trunk Highway 19.
BODY
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves the attached Resolution Recommending MnDOT to Implement Interim Safety Solution on Trunk Highway 19.
Summary Report:
MnDOT is nearing the end of the project scoping for the Hwy 19 improvement project programmed in 2027 from I-35 to Hwy 3. MnDOT will be holding an open house on May 20, 2024 at Northfield City Hall 6 pm to 8 pm to share the proposed implementation plan on the project.
The 2027 TH 19 programmed improvements between I-35 and TH-3 include:
1. A Mill and Overlay from I-35 to east of Armstrong Road and from the UP Railroad to TH3.
2. Reconstruction/Regrade from east of Armstrong Road to UP Railroad, a modified 3-Lane Design with a center left turn lane.
3. Improved trail, sidewalks, and ADA improvements.
4. Improved pedestrian crossings near Post Consumer Brands.
5. Added and lengthening of turn lanes along the corridor.
6. Together with other items outlined in MnDot Implementation Memo dated February 20, 2024.
The Northfield Transportation Advisory Committee (NTAC) along with the TH-19 Stakeholder group that was created out of NTAC has been following the two-year study that MnDOT has been working on. MnDOT has made positive strides, hearing from the public and industries that are served by TH-19, and this has provided the changes from a typical Mill and Overlay to address some of the additional items identified above.
However, the project still is 3-years out, and NTAC is requesting the Northfield City Council urge MnDOT to explore possible interim safety measures. NTAC has identified the following locations:
1. Post Holdings pedestrian crossing
2. Armstrong Road intersection with TH 19
3. St. Olaf entrance off TH 19
4. Apple Orchard entrance of TH-19
The attached resolution provides for this request to MnDOT, and requests they share the possible interim solution with City Council and NTAC.
The scoping study is planned to be completed at the end of 2023. In 2018 City Council created the Northfield Transportation Advisory Committee (NTAC) and one of the focus areas was the Hwy 19 corridor initiatives. NTAC created a stakeholder subcommittee that includes many of the industries, businesses, and many other representatives to review and provide input to help guide and scope the improvements.
A key item from stakeholders was the operation and access onto Hwy 19 from Armstrong Road. A roundabout has currently been identified in the scoping study as an improvement for mobility at the intersection. This will benefit all users, including trucks, pedestrians, bike, and cars.
A funding opportunity is available through a state program called Corridors of Commerce (COC). The goal of the COC program is to focus additional transportation investments in state highway projects that directly and indirectly foster economic growth for the State through the provisioning of construction jobs, enabling of goods to be transported through a commerce friendly network of corridors, and providing additional mobility to its citizens.
The City of Northfield has applied for $3 million dollars of the available $250 million dollars for the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Hwy 19 and Armstrong Road, which was identified in the Hwy 19 Scoping Study. This is a competitive grant that is scored through MnDOT, and billions of transportation funding has been requested from this program.
Alternative Options:
Council could elect not to request interim solution.
Financial Impacts:
Tentative Timelines:
TH-19 Project is programmed for improvement in 2027.