11. TH 5 Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge )
PREYED .
Minnesota =; ` . ' `' 1993
Department of Transportation CITY Or t.,�, 4HASSER`
Trans Building
' 395. John Ireland Boulevard
r� Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155
1 May 17, 1993
1
Paul Krauss
1 City of Chanhassen, Minnesota
690 Coulter Drive
P.O. Box 147
1 Chanhassen, Minnesota 55317
Re: TH 5 Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge
Dear Mr. Krauss:
On behalf of the Task Force, I am pleased to inform you that your project, noted above, has
been recommended for federal Enhancement funding. A table of all recommended projects in
' the three categories (Pedestrian/Bikeway, Historic, and Scenic/Environmental) is attached for
your information.
' Thank you for your recent application to the interim solicitation process for federal
Transportation Enhancement projects. The interim Enhancement process was developed by
the Enhancement Task Force, a group of representatives from 13 public organizations. On
behalf of the Task Force, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) solicited
Enhancement projects in February, 1993. MnDOT received 177 applications for projects,
representing approximately $70 million of project work. Using the eligibility and priority
' criteria developed by the Enhancement Task Force, the applications were evaluated and
ranked, and 34 projects have been recommended to MnDOT for use of Enhancement funds.
MnDOT has concurred with the Task Force recommendations.
1
The Task Force has made some additional recommendations regarding the timing, cost limits
1 and processing of projects which you should note:
1. Because the projects selected from the Interim Solicitation are to be open for
' the use intended by the end of calendar year 1994, projects should obligate
federal funds consistent with their schedules but no later than
September 1, 1994. The commitment of federal funds to projects based on
1 selection from this Interim Solicitation terminates on that date.
1
' An Equal Opportunity Employer
1 •.
Paul Krauss
May 17, 1993
Page 2
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' 2. Federal funds will be limited to the amount identified in the Engineer's
Estimate prepared for bid advertisements, but not to exceed the amount
identified in the project proposal responding to the Enhancement Interim
1 Solicitation.
3. MnDOT will request, on behalf of Enhancement project proposers, that the
' recommended Enhancement projects be added to the 1993 -95 and 1994 -96
Transportation Improvement Programs (TIPS) for appropriate metropolitan planning
areas and to the statewide TIP. Projects must be included in the metropolitan and
1 state TIP before federal funds can be obligated.
1 The MnDOT District State Aid Engineer in your area is Mary Bieringer, telephone
612 -593 -8408. Please contact this individual immediately to arrange for a meeting to
discuss exactly how to proceed to process your Enhancement project. Because of the
1 stringent timing requirements of the Enhancement projects, it is imperative that processing
requirements be identified and completed as quickly as possible.
1 Congratulations on the selection of your project for Enhancement funding. We are confident
that these Enhancement projects, selected out of a large field of high - quality projects, will
' greatly benefit Minnesota.
Sincerely,
1 7/) _
' Merritt Linzie, i!,.rector
Office of Highway Programs
1 cc: Enhancement Task Force
District Engineers
1 District State Aid Engineers
RTPCs
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PROJECTS RECOMMENDED FOR FUNDING
.
r :FEDERAL
E CR ON
: - Ctrs
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H -22 MN Historical Society Ayer Trading Post Restoration 257334
H -20 Mn/DOT Golden Valley Stone Arch Bridge 2.184.000
PB -108 DNR Willard Munger State Trail 513.180
PB -103 DNR Glacial Lakes State Trail 300.000
PB -36 Shoreview City County Road J Trail 77.350 I
PB-90 Maple Grove City E. Fish Lake Road Ped. Bridge 295.500
PB-99 Saint Paul City Burlington Northern Regional Trailway 593.600
PB-62 Owatonna City Straight River Corridor 93,600
PB -8 Mille Lacs County Father Hennepin/Kathio S.P. Bike Trail 261.000
PB -34 Murray County Shetek/End - O-Line Park 220.800
PB -76 Sub. Henn. Reg. Park Dist. North Mississippi Regional Trail 150.000
PB -73 Sub. Henn. Reg. Park Dist. Valley View Road Bike/Pedestrian Bridge 105.000
PB -100 Dakota County Dakota Co. Regional Trail Corridor 330.000
PB-96 Fridley City University Ave. Bike/Ped. Project 60.000
PB-97 Chanhassen City TH 5 Ped/Bike Bridge 280.000
PB -77 'Anoka County Parks E. River Road/Camden Bridge Ped/Bikeway 160.000
PB -11 Chippewa County Historic Minnesota Valley Trail 72,474
PB -102 DNR Root River State Trail 157,560
PB -1 MN DNR Parks & Rec. Bike/Hiking Trails Itasca State Park 220,000
PB -55 Maplewood City City Hall/Community Center Trail 94,640
PB -80 Roseville City County Road C Pathway Enhancement 300,000
PB -25 Mn/DOT Duluth Alex Laveau Memorial Bike Trail 600,000
PB -5 St. Cloud City Beaver Island Trail 100,000
PB-60 Monticello City Monticello Pathway & Beautification 283,579
PB -78 Mn/DOT Detroit Lakes TH 28 Bikepath— Starbuck to Glenwood 720.000
PB -2 MN DNR Parks & Rec. Pedestrian Trails Gooseberry Falls S.P. 150,000
PB-88 Anoka & Ramsey Cities Construct Lighting & Facilities for Path 113.244
PB -27 MN DNR Parks & Rec. Interstate S.P. Trail Dev. & Scenic Beaut. 95,000
PB -101 Aitkin County Hill City Intermodal Trail System 549,680
PB -75 Sub. Henn. Reg. Park Dist. St. Albans Bay Bikeway Bridge 110,950
SE -5 Mn/DOT Prairie & Roadside Enhancement 280.000
SE -23 Hennepin County CSAH 12 — Cloquet Island Scenic Overlook 75,000
SE -26 Chanhassen City TH 5 Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge See PB-97
SE -19 Bemidji City Rest AreafTourist Information Center 150,000 .
SE -15 Winona Co. Highway Dept. Hiawatha — Appleblossom Scenic Drive 381.600
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It3 IWI
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TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT FUND
1 APPLICATION
INSTRUCTIONS: Complete and retum 20 copies to Merritt Linzie, Director, Office of Highway onns u» ony
Programs, Room 807, Transportation Bldg., 395 John Ireland Blvd, St. Paul, MN
55155, no later than 4:00 p.m., April 15, 1993. (612) 296 -1638
' '; l i :4 3 .ENERALIINFDRMATION
1. APPLICANT City of Chanhassen, Minnesota 2. DATE 4/15/93
3. PROJECT/ROUTE/FACILITY NAME TH 5 Pedestrian /Bicycle Bridge
4. MAILING ADDRESS 690 Coulter Drive /P.O. Box 147
CRY Chanhassen STATE MN I ZIP CODE 55317 5. COUNTY Carver
6. CONTACT PERSON TITLE PHONE NO.
Paul Krauss Planning Director, AICP ( 612) 937 -1900
414 :0*E ROJECT.NFORMATION
7. PROJECT CATEGORY - Check all boxes fo) that appy and indicate the project grouping (0) you wish your project to be scored in.
• PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE GROUPING 0 HISTORIC GROUPING 0
® Provision of Facilities for Pedestrians and Bicycles 0 Historic Highway Programs
0 Preservation of Abandoned Railway Corridors 0 Historic Preservation
SCENIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPING ® 0 Rehabilitation and Operation of Historic Transportation
0 Scenic Highway Programs Buildings, Structures, or Facilities (including railroad
0 Acquisition of Scenic Easements and Scenic Sites facilities and canals)
® Landscaping and Other Scenic Beautification 0 Archaeological Planning and Research
0 Control and Removal of Outdoor Advertising
0 Mitigation of Water Pollution Due to Highway Funds
8. TOTAL PROJECT COST AND FEDERAL AMOUNT REOUESTED 9. LOCAL MATCH AMOUNT, PERCENTAGE AND SOURCE
TOTAL. FEDERAL AMOUNT $ PERCENT • SOURCE
COST $ 400,000 AMOUNT$ 280,000 120,000 30% HRA Funds
10. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE REQUIRED A
® Project Description NOTE: Proposals must specifically
® Project Location Map(s) (Reproducible) and directly address each criterion to
qualify and receive points. Pages in
4 Response to Each Qualifying Criterion each proposal should be numbered
with this page as number 1. Proposals
R Response to Each Prioritizing Criterion are limited to ten 8% by 11 inch pages
excluding maps drawings and or
photos.
11. SIGNATURE f TITLE I DATE
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PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The P ro osed project is to build a pedestrian/bicycle bridge spanning TH 5 between ,
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TH 101 and Great Plains Boulevard in the City of Chanhassen, Minnesota. In addition
to simply providing a pedestrian and bicycle crossing of TH 5, the bridge will serve an
aesthetic and civic function and enhance the intermodal transportation system.
Chanhassen is a rapidly growing suburban community located about 22 miles southwest
of Minneapolis. The population increased from approximately 6,300 in 1980 to 11,700 in
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1990 and is currently estimated at about 13,000. Almost 7,000 jobs are provided in the
city. Chanhassen is an innovator in urban design and environmental protection. The
city's central business district has been developed as a compact, pedestrian- oriented area ,
and is the culmination of twelve years' efforts. Transit and transportation innovations
such as a park and ride lot and parallel access boulevards will serve to reduce TH 5 - 1
volumes. The proposed bridge will further these efforts.
• The bridge is part of a much larger plan concept entitled "Building Community Across
the Corridor" and formulated by the Design Center for American Urban Landscape
(University of Minnesota), the City of Chanhassen, and its consultant, Barton - Aschman
Associates, Inc. Figure 1 shows the whole plan and the location of the proposed
pedestrian /bicycle bridge in the inset. This study has developed an urban design vision
to build a strong sense of community across the corridor. A major element of this plan
is to create a system of paths and parkways, a "greenway" system, with TH 5 crossings
that allow the safe, timely, and comfortable movement of pedestrians and bicyclists
across the highway. The study specifically recommends a pedestrian /bicycle bridge at
this project's location. In addition, a TH 5 Corridor Study (scheduled to be completed in
the summer of 1993) also concurs that a pedestrian/bicycle bridge should be built at this
location.
The bridge design concept will supersede a typical pedestrian/bicycle bridge, serving as a 1
piece of public art as well as a functional part of the transportation infrastructure. A
"gateway" effect is desired that welcomes TH 5 motorists to Chanhassen and provides a
favorable impression of the community while pulling bisected neighborhoods together.
Figure 2 reveals a section and elevation of the proposed bridge. The structural element
is provided by a prefabricated steel truss system roughly 220 feet in length. Abutments
and piers will consist of reinforced concrete. A 12 -foot width provides adequate
clearance for both bicyclists and pedestrians over the lengthy span. Vinyl covered chain
link fence is included for both the sides to enclose the user and protect the vehicles
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below from falling debris. The roof consists of a standing seam metal roof, which
provides a cost - effective shelter for users while tying into current trends in the downtown
area. All elements will be painted, with structural elements giving way to the aesthetic 1
aspects of the project. Landscaping, lighting, and other amenities would be included to
enhance the appearance of the facility and its environment for both bridge users and
travelers within the TH 5 corridor. Construction of the bridge is expected to be
completed in 1994.
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Proposed TH 5 Pedestrian /Bicycle Bridge
Chanhassen, Minnesota FIGURE 2
The future realignment of TH 101 at TH 5 necessitates acquisition of the Apple Valley
Ready -Mix Concrete facility on the north side of TH 5. The concrete plant is one of the
first landmarks in Chanhassen encountered by westbound TH 5 traffic and is considered
an eyesore that maligns the city's identity. Therefore, the acquisition of the AVR site is
fortuitous, enabling the city to remove blight and establish public greenspace by
redeveloping the area into a park with trails and the proposed pedestrian/bicycle bridge.
City tax increment proceeds were used for this acquisition.
The location of the bridge is an optimum one for a number of reasons. TH 5 is
depressed in this location with a high berm on the south side. The topography enables a
bridge span to be built without switchbacks on either side. The bridge will be located
adjacent to the planned park on the north side of TH 5 and a planned Southwest Transit
Park and Ride facility on the south side (see inset, Figure 2). The bridge will link
neighborhoods divided by TH 5 and provide increased access to downtown's civic
facilities and attractions. Two divided neighborhood areas will be reunited and access to
the pedestrian- oriented downtown will be improved. The city trail system will be
improved with increased continuity.
The provision of a pedestrian/bicycle bridge will have a significant benefit to the
intermodal transportation system, especially within the TH 5 corridor. The bridge will
provide access between the pedestrian- oriented Chanhassen CBD and a new park and
ride facility operated by Southwest Metro Transit (opening in 1995). Transit in the area
will use the park and ride lot as a transfer point between express routes and circulator
routes (which run on parallel access boulevards adjacent to TH 5). By tying carpools,
bus transit, pedestrians, bicyclists, city trails, and the city's parallel access boulevard
system, the proposed bridge will contribute to an increase of intermodal usage and a
decrease in traffic volumes on TH 5.
RESPONSES TO QUALIFYING CRITERIA
1. Projects which are eligible for Enhancements funds as defined in the 1991
Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA).
Response: The proposed pedestrian bridge project serves several of the ten exclusive
enhancement activities. First and foremost, it is the provision of a facility for pedestrians
and bicycles. The project also would qualify under landscaping and other scenic
beautification due to the aesthetic qualities of the bridge.
This application will be scored in the Scenic and Environmental group.
2. Projects with assured local match of at least 20 percent.
Response: The City of Chanhassen has authorized a local match of 30 percent. These
funds are being raised through the HRA process.
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criteria, the bus service at the park and ride will have a significant role in traffic demand
' management on TH 5. The park and ride will serve as a transfer point between express
and circulator buses. The circulator routes will be removed from TH 5 itself by using
the city's parallel access boulevard system. Ridership is up 23 percent this year and
reverse - commuter services are increasing. Therefore, improving pedestrian/bicycle
access to the park and ride could reduce volumes on TH 5 itself through intermodal
travel.
An additional benefit of the project is that the park and ride lot will receive greater
intermodal usage because of its increased proximity to downtown with the proposed
1 bridge. For example, large citywide events are held in the downtown area on several
occasions each year. Provision of the park and ride lot and the pedestrian bridge will
enable motorists to park in the lot and walk across the bridge to downtown, thereby
' reducing automobile congestion and its related adverse environmental impacts. As a
park is planned where the existing Apple Valley Ready -Mix concrete plant now stands
(on the north side of TH 5), the lot will also serve as a satellite parking facility for the
' park, with park users simply walking or bicycling across the highway on the bridge. The
city is pursuing a farmer's market at the park and ride facility. This could possibly draw
pedestrians and bicyclists from the opposite side of TH 5 via the bridge.
r sed project meets the intent of ISTEA to an exceptional degree b
In short, the p opo p o� p gr by
providing increased opportunities for environmentally sound, energy efficient, highly
' intermodal transportation above and beyond a typical pedestrian bridge. The bridge
would enhance community quality by connecting separated neighborhoods, improving
' safety, providing a "gateway" to the community, and providing an aesthetic improvement
to the highway environment.
' 2. Projects with components which have already been funded and /or implemented
from other funding sources, especially projects for which the proposed
' Enhancements funded element would complete a larger project, concept, or plan.
Response: As described above in Item 2 of the qualifying criteria, this project will be
' put on the city's agenda for HRA funds. The project is located within a tax- increment
district. The purchase of the Apple - Valley- Ready -Mix- site -by the city (also with tax
increment funds) is scheduled to be completed in April 1993; this comes as a result of
the current TH 101 relocation project.
This project is an established component of the highway system in Chanhassen's
Comprehensive Plan. The bridge is an integral feature of the urban design vision in
"Building Community Across the Corridor" by the Design Center for American Urban
Landscape (University of Minnesota), the City of Chanhassen, and its consultant, Barton-
"! Aschman Associates, Inc. The bridge would serve the city's planned "access boulevard
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system" that will parallel TH 5, as described in the Chanhassen Highway 5 Corridor
Study to be completed in the summer of 1993.
The city has committed to cooperative agreements with MnDOT to fund brick
pavements and lighting at a number of TH 5 intersections.
3. Projects which qualify in two or more of the ten categories of Enhancements
identified in the ISTEA and /or more than one of the three groupings of these
categories established for Minnesota's process.
- Response: The proposed pedestrian/bicycle bridge qualifies for two categories of
Enhancements in two groupings, as noted on the cover sheet. The proposed project is,
of course, a pedestrian/bicycle facility. The aesthetic qualities of the bridge will be a
form of scenic beautification, using public art and urban design features that carry the
architecture of the downtown area out to TH 5. The bridge is intended to serve as an
attractive gateway welcoming motorists to the city. The Apple Valley Ready -Mix
Concrete Plant will be removed by a separate but related city- sponsored project,
enhancing the scenic quality of the highway corridor.
This project will achieve multiple objectives. 1
4. Projects which have already gone through a statewide or regional project priority
planning process. 1
Response: MnDOT has committed to improvements to TH 5 within the City of
Chanhassen. Two state projects from Park Drive to east of the Eden Prairie border 1
completed construction in September 1992. This completed TH 5 corridor includes the
location of the proposed pedestrian/bicycle bridge. A segment of TH 5 farther to the
west, extending to TH 41, will be improved with design completion scheduled for
October 1995, bid letting in February 1996, and completion of construction in autumn
1997. The Metropolitan Council supports TH 5 improvements in its regional strategy
program.
5. Projects which demonstrate more than a local impact or benefit.
Response: In addition to the local benefit of unifying neighborhoods on both sides of
TH 5, the proposed project will provide several regionwide benefits. As illustrated in
Figure 3, the city's trail plan proposes links to 24 trails in all of the communities adjacent
to Chanhassen, which are Eden Prairie, Shakopee, Chaska, Victoria, Shorewood, and
Minnetonka. As an integral improvement to the Chanhassen trail system, the proposed
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bridge will, by extension, enhance the trail system for users who enter Chanhassen via
one of the 24 connections.
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The TH 5 Coalition includes Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, Chaska, and Waconia. The
Coalition regards TH 5 as an important farm -to- market route and supports
improvements to the corridor.
1 Southwest Metro Transit will be the bus system that serves the park and ride facility.
Southwest Metro serves the communities of Chanhassen, Eden Prairie, and Chaska. The
proposed project has the potential of increasing commuter ridership at the park and ride
lot, since the accessibility of the lot will be improved to pedestrians and bicyclists (as
described above in Item 1). Ultimately, increased ridership on the system would result
1 in greater profitability and increased service to accommodate the increased demand.
As described above in prioritizing response No. 1, the bridge would contribute to
Transportation Demand Management in the TH 5 corridor, benefitting all regional
motorists using TH 5. The public art provided by the bridge would also benefit TH 5
travelers throughout the region.
6. Projects which are partially developed with regards to the federal processing
requirements appropriate to the proposed project and /or which can be completed
and open to the public for the use intended by the end of calendar year 1994.
Response: Several milestones have or soon will be passed in this project. This project
is part of a larger planning process. The bridge is an integral element in Chanhassen's
Parks, Open Space and Trails Plan, which is currently being updated. An Environmental
Assessment has been completed for this segment of TH 5. The City of Chanhassen's
' Highway 5 Corridor Plan will be completed in the summer of 1993. The bridge will be
completed and open for public use in 1994.
1 7. Projects with an assured local (non federal funds) match in excess of 20 percent.
Response: Preliminary cost estimating for this project has resulted in an estimate of
' $400,000. The City of Chanhassen has assured 30 percent for this project.
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