1c. TH 212: Adopt Resolution in Support of Improvements
CITY OF
CHANHASSEN
7700 Market Bou levard
PO Box 147
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Administration
Phone: 952.227.1100
Fax: 952.227.1110~
Building Inspections
Phone: 952.227.1180
Fax: 952.227.1190
Engineering
Phone: 952.227.1160
Fax: 952.227.1170
Finance
Phone: 952.227.1140
Fax: 952.227.1110
Park & Recreation
Phone: 952.227.1120
Fax: 952.227.1110
Recreation Center
2310 Coulter Boulevard
Phone: 952.227.1400
Fax: 952.227.1404
Planning &
Natural Resources
Phone: 952.227.1130
Fax: 952.227.1110
Public Works
1591 Park Road
Phone: 952.227.1300
Fax: 952.227.1310
Senior Center
Phone: 952.227.1125
Fax: 952.227.1110
Web Site
www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us
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MEMORANDUM
TO:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
Paul Oehme, Dir. of Public W orks/ City Engineer <(.. O~
FROM:
DATE:
d~.
May 12, 2008
SUBJ:
Adopt Resolution in Support of Appropriation in the FFY2009
Transportation and HUD Appropriations Bill to Continue Design
Work onUS Highway 212 between Chaska and Norwood-Young
America - Project No. 03-09
REQUESTED ACTION (Simple Majority Vote Required)
Approve resolution.
BACKGROUND
On October 22, 2007, Council adopted a
US Highway 212 from Chaska (CSAH 147) to
support helped secure funds to begin
preliminary design of the corridor. Currently the
as it switches from a four-lane design west of
switches back to a four-lane design around
from Cologne to Norwood-Young America. It
better able to handle present and projected traffic
four-lane highway through this area.
The Southwest Corridor Transportation
members again to send a support letter and
House of Representatives for support of TH 212
Coalition is asking for the inclusion of $3
included in the FY2009 Transportation and HUD
money is requested so MoDot can continue with
environmental review for the segment of highway
and Norwood-Young America. The goal is to have this
ready for construction. MnDot hopes to begin advance
year, if funds are available. The final design will provide a
divided highway of US Highway 212 across Carver County.
Previous funding has allowed for some preliminary scoping work to be done. The
requested funds will allow for design iVorkfObe completed up to the 30% level
The City of Chanhassen · A growing community with clean lakes, quality schools, a charming downtown, thriving businesses, winding trails, and beautiful parks. A great place to live, work, and play.
Todd Gerhardt
Resolution Supporting TH 212 Improvements
May 12, 2008
Page 2
which would put the project in position for acceleration. With increased State
funding through the 2008 Transportation Funding Bill, more funding may be
available in future years for construction.
Southwest Corridor Transportation Coalition has requested that communities in
Carver County support this project.
RECOMMENDA TION
Staff recommends approval of the attached Resolution in support of
improvements to and having letters sent to Chanhassen Federal representatives.
A TT ACHMENTS
1. Resolution in Support of Improvements to U.S. Highway 212
2. Draft Letter of Support.
G:\ENGITH 3121Council itemlbkgd 051208 212 res sup funding pre design. doc
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
DATE:
Mav 12. 2008
RESOLUTION NO:
2008-
MOTION BY:
SECONDED BY:
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF FUNDING FOR HIGHWAY 212
WHEREAS, Highway 212 is a major US highway serving the southwest portion of the state and
has been in need of expansion for decades, and
WHEREAS, forty-one communities and local chambers of commerce have passed resolutions
supporting improvements to Highway 212 to expand the capacity of this highway and the Board
of Commissioners of every county along the corridor has passed such a resolution, and
WHEREAS, the current highway poses serious safety problems as it switches from a four lane
facility west of Chaska to a two-lane highway, then switches back to a four lane highway around
Cologne and back to a two-lane highway from Cologne to Norwood-Young America and would
be much safer and much better able to handle present and projected traffic flows if it were a
continuous four-lane highway through this area, and
WHEREAS, Congress and the State of Minnesota have recognized the need to expand this
critical trade link to the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area and have previously provided funding
through the ISTEA Transportation Authorization bill, TEA-21 Authorization bill, the 2002
Transportation Appropriations bill, the 2003 Transportation Appropriations bill, the 2004
Transportation Appropriations bill and SAFETEA-LU, and
WHEREAS, the completion of the expanded Highway 212 from Eden Prairie to Chaska will
occur in 2008, bringing additional traffic to the section of highway between Chaska and
Norwood- Young America which needs to be improved for safety reasons, and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Chanhassen strongly supports
inclusion of funding for efforts to improve and expand US Highway 212 in the FY2009
Transportation and BUD Appropriations Bill.
Passed and adopted by the Chanhassen City Council this 1th day of May, 2008.
ATTEST:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
Thomas A. Furlong, Mayor
YES
NO
ABSENT
Sample Letter
Via Fax 202-228-2186 and e-mail mark_wilson@klobuchar.senate.gov
Senator Amy Klobuchar
United States Senate
CT Y 4 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Via Fax 202-224-1152 and e-mail Jordan_talge@coleman.senate.gov
Senator Norm Coleman
United States Senate
320 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Via Fax 202-225-2595 and e-mail [jeff.mcnichols@mail.house.gov]
Congressman John Kline
United States House of Representatives
1429 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear
I am writing to ask for your continued support for improvements to the safety of Highway 212 in Carver
County. Thanks to past investments that many people have worked for over the years, we have been able to
make significant progress in reaching our goal of a modem, four-lane highway. With the completion of the
New Highway 212 from Eden Prairie to Chaska coming by the end of 2008, there is more urgency to make
needed improvements just west of the new highway where the highway narrows to two lanes. The need for a
continuous four-lane facility out to Norwood Young America will be even more apparent and the safety
concerns are expected to become more of an issue, with increased traffic volumes, as the roadway switches
from four lanes to two lanes and then back again.
The Southwest Corridor Transportation Coalition is asking for the inclusion of $3 million for US Highway 212
that was included in the FY2009 Transportation and HUD Appropriations bill so we can build on past efforts
and get the segment of highway between Chaska and Norwood Young America ready for construction of the
needed four-lane facility.
Residents and businesses in our area have been waiting for many years for needed improvements to this major
transportation corridor. With continued rapid growth and development, the demands on our infrastructure are
growing. The safety issues are very real and additional traffic on this highway will compound the problems.
We need additional funding in order to continue to make progress in improving this critical transportation
facility.
Thank you for your support of this project and your work in supporting funding for the state's transportation
infrastructure. Our economy and our safety are dependent on investments to meet the challenges and growing
demands as the number of residents increases and our infrastructure ages.
Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions
about this project.
Sincerely,