D TH 212, Changes at Bluff Creek Drive
CITY OF
CHANHASSEN
7700 Market Boulevard
PO Box 147
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Administration
Phone 952227.1100
Fax 9522271110
Building Inspections
Phone 952227.1180
Fax 952227.1190
Engineering
Phone 952227.1160
Fax 952.227.1170
Finance
Phone 952227.1140
Fax 952227.1110
Park & Recreation
Phone 9522271120
Fax 952227.1110
Recreation Center
2310 Coulter Boulevard
Phone 952227.1400
Fax 952227.1404
Planning &
Natural Resources
Phone 9522271130
Fax 952227.1110
Public Works
1591 Park Road
Phone 952227.1300
Fax 952227.1310
Senior Center
Phone 952227.1125
Fax 952227.1110
Web Site
www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us
D
~
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
"\7 CJ .
Paul Oehme, City Engineer/Dir. of Public Works "Ii'
,,~.
November 14, 2005
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJ:
TH 212 Project: Discuss MnDOT's Proposed Changes at Bluff
Creek Drive Project No. 03-09
BACKGROUND
MnDot has requested the City consider supporting the realigning Bluff Creek
Drive for the south project limit to Pioneer Trail. The current design calls for
aligning Bluff Creek Drive east of its present location to intersect with a future
roadway to the north. The proposed redesign of Bluff Creek Drive would have
the roadway follow more of a northerly alignment and connect to the future south
collector road in the 2005 MUSA. During the design-build contractor selection
process, MnDot and the City looked at several different alignments for Bluff
Creek to save on construction and future maintenance costs. These alignments
looked at going over TH 212 but due to geometric requirements at the intersection
of Bluff Creek Drive and Pioneer Trail, the alignments were not possible.
The design-build contractor (ZRC) recently approached MnDot with concerns
regarding the steep slopes along Bluff Creek and the natural sloughing of these
slopes that would have constant maintenance problem. MnDot is in agreement
that these steep slopes have the potential to create long-term maintenance issues
for all three bridges, 212 EB, 212 WB and the Bluff Creek Drive. MnDot
subsequently reviewed the proposed plan and developed a proposal to address the
slope stability issue. In working with ZRC, the option MnDot came up with is the
realigned Bluff Creek Drive as shown on the attached exhibit. The other option
suggested by ZRC was to replace all three bridges with one box culvert. At this
time, MnDot feels that the proposed realignment of Bluff Creek Drive is the
preferred option. The proposed realignment was designed for 40 mph which
exceeds the posted speed limit and meets all State Aid standards.
The proposed realignment of Bluff Creek Drive offers some advantages for the
City:
1. MnDot was able to eliminate design exceptions and improve the
geometries of the road.
2. This option reduces impacts to Bluff Creek minimizing environmental
impacts.
The City ot 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
November 14, 2005
Page 2
3. The cost savings associated with the City of Chanhassen consists of the
following:
a. $250,000 reduction in cost for the elimination of the (on bridge)
trai l.
b. $10,000 reduction in cost for elimination of (off bridge) trail.
4. The elimination of future maintenance and replacement costs of a
bridge.
5. Intersection improvements may be included as part of the design which
will help traffic at the south collector roadway for the 2005 MUSA.
MnDot has stated that since the realignment of Bluff Creek Drive would require a
box structure under the 212 EB and 212 WB bridges, it would maintain the
responsibility for structural integrity of the box structure.
Staff has also discussed future winter maintenance of the road with MnDot.
MnDot does not see an issue with additional snow and ice build up with this
scenario. MnDot has hundreds of overpass bridges with roadways underneath
them and has developed snow and ice maintenance procedures that require snow
from 212 EB and 212 WB to be plowed from one end to the other and not blown
over the side of the bridge.
One issue that MnDot is still working on is drainage for the proposed alignment
for Bluff Creek Drive. At this time, MnDot is considering installing
environmental manholes to treat the runoff in lieu of a stormwater pond. The
environmental manholes would be the responsibility of the City to clean and
maintain.
The Parks Department has reviewed the plan and finds it acceptable.
The design of the roadway would be able to accommodate future roadway
widening if necessary.
Staff is requesting MnDot study the traffic impacts associated with this change
further. The County is also interested in the traffic impacts to Pioneer Trail.
Staff is requesting feedback and direction from the Council at this time. No
formal action is required; however MnDot would like the City to be a willing
partner if the change is made.
Attachments
c: Jon Chiglo, MnDOT
G:\ENG\TH 312\bkgd hlt<.:rk reulignmellt 1 1 1405.doc
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