City Council Meeting Date: July 9, 2024
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: David E. Bennett, P.E., Public Works Director/City Engineer
TITLE
Consider approval of a Resolution Supporting and Requesting the Turnback of Trunk Highway 246 from County Road 1 to Trunk Highway 3 from MnDOT to the City of Northfield.
BODY
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council consider a motion to approve of Resolution Supporting and Requesting the Turnback of Trunk Highway 246 from County Road 1 to Trunk Highway 3 from MnDOT to the City of Northfield.
Summary Report:
MnDOT and Rice County had been in discussions to consider a potential turnback of TH246 dating back to at least 2018. In 2021, Rice County more formally informed the City of Northfield that they were considering the potential turnback of TH 246 in Rice County. To respond to this, the City of Northfield initiated a Corridor Study to determine the future vision for the corridor from County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 1/County Road 81 to TH 3 to help understand the needs along this segment.
In December of 2022, the City hired Bolton and Menk to prepare a Trunk Highway 246 Corridor Study. The goals of the study include:
1. Corridor vision, what are the transportation needs on TH 246 now and into the future.
2. Utilize adopted plans and policies to inform corridor needs.
3. Improve safety and mobility for all roadway users.
4. Provide opportunity for stakeholder input.
5. Develop guide for implementing corridor vision.
6. Develop cost and opportunities related to the turnback.
The study reviewed the existing corridor performance and found that TH 246 serves motor vehicles well except during peak times at the intersection of Woodley Street/Division Street and at accesses for Northfield High School, Northfield Middle School, and Bridgewater Elementary. While vehicle traffic delays are limited to peak hours, there are other corridor deficiencies related to:
* The incom...
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