Interchange Improvements at Vernon Avenue, 50th Street, & Highway 100

Background

Recall during the design phase of the Vernon Avenue portion of the project, staff learned the Vernon Avenue bridge required a height increase over CPKC Railway. To meet transportation design standards, Vernon Avenue needed to be reconstructed to the existing Highway 100 Bridge. If federal dollars were spent to complete the work, no other improvements could be completed in that area for at least 20 years.

Staff did not want to lose the opportunity to improve the safety and mobility of all users in the Grandview District. Therefore, the city applied for a grant to expand the project area to meet the project goals listed below and identified in many Grandview District visioning documents. This project will also provide space to increase the size of the city hall municipal campus and add a potential third fire station.

Project Goals

The following are the project goals:

• Improve safety and mobility for all users
• Create new separated pedestrian routes
• Improve traffic operations
• Consolidate TH 100 access points
• Improve connectivity between residential and commercial areas of the district
• Limit construction impacts to the public and create greater funding efficiency by combining City and County projects
• Enhance economic viability with improved access

Funding

The public hearing is on the funding needs and the city's proposed use of the general obligation bonding. The City is partnering with Hennepin County in coordination with Minnesota Department of Transportation, to replace the bridge over Highway 100 and the Vernon Avenue (County Road 158) over the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Railroad. The overall project will also improve the intersections at Interlachen Boulevard, Gus Young Lane, Arcadia Avenue and the Highway 100 on- and off-ramps. The size of the existing sidewalk and the lack of separation from heavy traffic make this street uncomfortable for many pedestrians, creating a significant barrier within the Grandview District. Additionally, the interchange with TH 100 is a complicated and redundant system of six unique access ramps that connect to four different streets within the district. This project would improve safety and mobility for all users and eliminate redundant access ramps.

For the purpose of conducting a public hearing on (a) the proposed adoption of a street reconstruction plan (the “Reconstruction Plan”) under Minnesota Statutes, Section 475.58, Subdivision 3b; and (b) the proposed issuance by the City of general obligation street reconstruction plan bonds pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 475.58, Subdivision 3b, in amount not to exceed $3,050,000 (the “Bonds”). The proceeds of the Bonds will be used to finance the City’s share of the Vernon Avenue and Highway 100 Interchange Project costs, as identified in the Reconstruction Plan.