HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-07-26 - Council Minutes - Part 2
CITY OF CORCORAN
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP – HIGHWAY 55 CORRIDOR
July 26, 2007
The Corcoran City Council met on July 26, 2007, at city hall in Corcoran,
Minnesota. Present were Mayor Guenthner, Councilor Grabowski, Councilor Workshop Opened
Hudok, Councilor Jacobs, Councilor Thomas, Jim Grube Hennepin County Public
Works Director, Rick Brown and Christine Paulu of SRF Consulting, Dan Rowe Roll Call
with MnDot, Planning Commission members Casserly, Ellinger, Hank, and
Laddusaw, Administrator Vergin, Engineer Vander Top, and Police Chief Gormley.
Mayor Guenthner opened the meeting at 6:15 p.m.
Jim Grube provided an introduction and overview of the schedule for the Highway Project Overview
55 Corridor Mapping project. There will be open houses for public comment in
December – January where the “Preferred Alternative” corridor will be presented.
The “Recommended Preferred Alternative” corridor is what is currently being
worked on and will be presented to the public officials for comments in October
and will be submitted to the EQB for public comment. The Highway 55 corridor
presently being worked on extends from the Crow River in Rockford to 494 in
Plymouth. There is a Highway 55 Coalition group that has been formed, which
extends from Annandale to Plymouth. Mr. Grube stated that they would be back in
front of the City council seeking a resolution of support in October. Tonight is to
provide information on where the project is at and to receive comments.
Rick Brown with SRF provided an overview of the layout, which identifies a
conversion from a 2-lane highway to a 4-lane highway and includes proposed
intersection layouts. Federal funding will be sought to pursue the acquisition of
right-of way. This is a 25 to 50 year plan. Presently the Highway 55 plan is not
shown in the 2030 MnDot plan. The corridor mapping is to provide long term
planning, and the ability to acquire and/or preserve the necessary right of way for
the expansion.
Addressed the backage road from Pioneer Trail to Rolling Hills Road. At this time
the extension of that backage road is not proceeding, which will have impacts to
the proposed design. Long term it would be desired that the City pursue the
backage road.
Discussed controlled intersections and the need for the City to understand the State
and Federal regulations as the City plans their transportation plan.
Discussed the need to assure good access points for north and south connections.
That the Highway 55 corridor should tie to the city’s comprehensive plan.
Concerns were raised that if improvements to 55 do not occur for another 20 plus
years the city needs to be cognizant of desired access points and plan for
transportation needs.
Funding for the corridor-mapping project is through Federal and State funding,
with Hennepin County acting as the coordinator for the project.
Workshop Closed
Mayor Guenthner closed the meeting at 6:55 p.m.
______________________________
Barb Larson, City Clerk/Treasurer
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