HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.D.2. Letter of Support for Mn/DOT Minnesota River Flood Mitigation Study Final Report/Highway 101 Crossing 5.h.
CITY OF SHAKOPEE
Memorandum
TO Mayor & City Council rnA
M
C S I
ark McNeill, City Administrator
FROM: Bruce Loney, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: Letter of Support for Mn/DOT Minnesota River
Flood Mitigation Study Final Report
DATE: September 20, 2011
INTRODUCTION:
The final report has been prepared by Mn/DOT on the Minnesota River Flood Mitigation
Study authorized by the State. Letters of Support have been requested on this study and
preferred alternative.
BACKGROUND:
A study on improving river crossing at TH 169, TH 41 and TH 101 has been undertaken
this past year and a final report completed. Attached to this memo is a Letter of Support
that staff is asking Council to endorse and have the Mayor sign on behalf of the City of
Shakopee.
One item to note on the TH 101 crossing improvement is that the crossing would be
closed to traffic for about one year to construct the bridge. No timeline has been
determined yet but could occur in 2014 -2016 depending if funding is obtained and
secured for the project.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve a motion authorizing the Mayor to sign a Letter of Support on the
Minnesota River Flood Mitigation Study.
2. Do not approve a motion authorizing the Mayor to sign a Letter of Support on the
Minnesota River Flood Mitigation Study.
3. Table for a specific reason.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends Alternative No. 1.
ACTION REQUESTED:
Approve a motion authorizing the Mayor to sign a Letter of Support on the Minnesota
River Flood Mitigation Study.
`Bruce Loney, .
Public Works erector
ENGR/2011- PROJECTS/ 2011 - COUNCIL/LETTER- SUPPORT - FLOOD- MITIGATION
S HAKOPEE September 15, 2011
Lynn P. Clarkowski
MnDOT Metro District South Manager
1500 West County Road B2
Roseville, MN 55133
Subject: Minnesota River Flood Mitigation Study/Highway 101 Crossing
Dear Ms. Clarkowski:
I am writing on behalf of City of Shakopee in support of improvements to the Scott County Highway 101
River Crossing.
As you are very aware, travelers and commuters in the Carver, Southwest Hennepin, and Scott County
areas have long been inconvenienced by increasingly frequent closures, due to flooding of the Minnesota
River. The Highway 101 Bridge is one of the first to be closed, and last to re -open due to high water.
The preliminary findings of the Minnesota River Flood Mitigation Study have indicated that an improved
Highway 101 River Crossing makes the most sense in terms of cost/benefit, and will make a significant
regional transportation benefit. The proposed reconstruction of this river crossing will provide a reliable
high water crossing, serving the 20,400 vehicles per day which currently use it. Using Metropolitan
Council's forecasts, the crossing could serve up to 24,700 ADT by the year 2030 - that assumes two lanes
of traffic. Expanding the crossing to four lanes would enhance that number.
The County of Scott and City of Shakopee are in the process of completing improvements to CR101/First
Avenue to the east of the crossing. Those jurisdictions are planning similar improvements heading west
on CR69 to its intersection with TH169 and also an interchange at CR69 and TH169. These enhanced
approaches will allow improved traffic flow to the Highwayl 01 River Crossing.
The recently completed renovation of the historic Holmes Street bridge in downtown Shakopee could also
be better utilized by having the 101 River Crossing include a pedestrian path. This would provide for a
connection to the Southwest Regional Trail, Minnesota DNR Regional Trail and local trail systems on
both sides of the river.
In summary, the TH41 River Crossing is decades away, and is estimated to cost in the hundreds of
millions of dollars. Conversely, the Highway 101 River Crossing as studied could be constructed for a
fraction of that cost, and in a much shorter time frame. It is critical for the movement of regional traffic to
facilitate as quickly as possible improvements to Highway 101 River Bridge. It is a high priority for the
City of Shakopee.
On behalf of the City of Shakopee and Shakopee City Council, I ask for your help on this, and appreciate
your consideration of our request for this much needed improvement.
John J. Schmitt
Mayor, City of Shakopee
COMMUNITY PRIDE SINCE 1857
129 Holmes Street South • Shakopee, Minnesota • 55379 -1351 • 952- 233 -9300 • FAX 952- 233 -3801 • www.ci.shakopee.mn.us