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3 Feas Report TC&W RR TrailCITY OF 690 COULTER DRIVE · P.O. BOX 147 · CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 (612) 937-1900 · FAX (612) 937-5739 MEMORANDUM TO: Park and Recreation Commission FROM: Todd Hoft'man, Park and Recreation Director DATE: September i 7, 1997 SUB J: Receive Feasibility Report; Twin Cities and Western Railroad Trail, Market Boulevard to Lake Susan Park Attached please find the aforementioned feasibility report. As the Commission will recall, you ordered this report upon receiving an inquiry into this issue fi'om the Economic Development Authority (EDA). The report leaves little hope tbr a trail project in the Market Boulevard to Lake Susan Park raih'oad alignment. The other options discussed in the report (2-3) require an at-grade crossing of Highway 5. Furthermore, optiop_ 3, Lake Drive already exists as a pedestrian sidewalk. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the Park and Recreation Commission inlUrm the EDA of its finding and that no further action be taken on this issue. The railroad underpass is best lef't as an informal transportation route utilized by those who choose to do so. g:Lpark'th".TCWRRTrail Feas.nmn~ Creativc Solutions for Land Planning and Design Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. September 17, 1997 Todd Hoffman, Park & Recreation Director City of Chanhassen 690 Coulter Drive, P.O. Box 147 Chanhassen, MN 55317 Dear Todd: At your request we have taken a preliminary look at the feasibility of extending a trail from Market Boulevard in downtown Chanhassen along the Twin City Western Railroad (TCWRR) to Lake Susan Park. Along with this trail alignment, we have looked at two other location options which can be used to compare and contrast the railroad option. The alignment we focussed on follows the rail line from Market Boulevard to Roberts Automatic Products and then turns south between Roberts and Empak to the Lake Susan Park driveway. An alternative option is to begin a trail at the south intersection of Market Boulevard and Highway 5; extend the trail along Highway 5 west to the rail line and then follow the rail line in some fashion to Roberts and again south between Roberts and Empak to the park. Another alternative is to simply extend a trail or widen the existing sidewalk along Lake Drive from Market Boulevard to Lake Susan Park. Option 1: Use the railroad alignment The railroad trail alignment option has some interesting features: it is relatively direct between the two points; it has some scenic qualities; it interconnects retail, industrial and recreational uses; and it does not require an at-grade crossing of Highway 5. The drawbacks to this alignment are also significant: there is some chance of wetland encroachment; it would require easements from the railroad and at least one industrial site; there are severe space constraints at the railroad underpass of highway 5; and there is a significant grade differential between the railroad bed and the surrounding land. There is a large wetland at the south side of the railroad tracks near Market Boulevard. A trail in this area would need to be placed between the wetland and the tracks and there appears to be enough space. This would have to be confirmed through wetland delineation. If, by chance, the wetland edge is closer to the tracks than we think, other strategies would have to be considered such as wetland fill and mitigation or using a boardwalk across the wetland. Either option would be expensive and mitigation would be a fairly drastic measure for this magnitude of trail. I spoke with Tim Jeske, the TCWRR representative about the potential of gaining an easement for the trail on railroad property and the feasibility of placing a trail through the underpass of Highway 5. Tim indicated that the City and TCWRR are currently in 7300 Metro Boulevard, Suite 525, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55439 (612) 835-9960 Fax (612) 835-3160 Todd Hoffman September 17, 1997 Page 3 accommodate bicycles or a second trail could possibly added within the existing right-of- way. There are no grade issues and no easements needed. The connection isn't as direct as the rail alignment and them are no distinct scenic qualities to the corridor that cannot already be seen by car. This option would also require crossing Highway 5. Conclusions There are three things that can be accomplished by a new or modified trail connecting downtown with Lake Susan Park: 1) the scenic experience of getting between the two points can be enhanced in which case investments may be warranted to ensure this experience; 2) the utility and safety of getting between the two points can be improved; or 3) the distance traveled to get between the two points can be reduced. The railroad alignment (Option 1) would provide some level of scenic quality; it would reduce the distance between the two points compared with existing trails by roughly 14%; and it would eliminate the need for a Highway 5 crossing. Given the significant costs anticipated to make this alignment a reality though, we believe the railroad alignment would not provide a level of benefit (if it would even be possible from the railroad's perspective) to justify its cost. Local residents and employees of the area have carved out a dirt path between the rail corridor and Lake Susan Park as a shortcut. The railroad alignment may provide the greatest community value as an informal, non-sanctioned dirt path. If it is the City's desire to strengthen the bikeway connection between downtown and Lake Susan Park, we suggest considering these comments. The Highway 5 alignment (Option 2) accomplishes very little if anything at all over existing trails and appears to simply be a duplication of the existing trail system. The Lake Drive alignment (Option 3) appears to be the most feasible alternative being a simple and inexpensive alternative. The disadvantage is obviously the crossing of Highway 5 although the elements are in place to ensure a safe crossing. I hope this helps you and City officials make a decision regarding this issue. If you have any questions or comments, please give me a call. Sincerely, Bruce L Chamberlain, RLA Park Planner M..\CHANtlA~97-55XLKSUSTRL. LTR Todd Hoffman September 17, 1997 Page 2 discussions regarding a trail issue at Highway 101 and he would not open a new issue with the City until that one is resolved. He also indicated that, regardless of the ancillary issue, he cannot comment on the possibility of a trail until he can review a concept plan. A discussion of this option's merits follows regardless of the TCWRR stance. If a trail were to be placed along the tracks, it would have to be on the south side in order to allow for a controlled rail crossing at Market Boulevard (see attached sketch). But, there is not enough distance between the tracks and the south bridge abutments to safely locate a trail. It may be possible, however, that the trail could be benched into the slope behind the bridge abutments. This would put the trail roughly five feet above the track elevation through the underpass. The greater challenge is the grade differential between the rail line and the top of the adjacent berm on either side of the bridge. Since there is not enough space at the rail elevation for a trail, the trail would either have to be benched part way up a very steep and heavily vegetated slope or be located at the top of the slope, brought down to get under the bridge and back up on the other side. Either way, in our estimation, all of the slope vegetation would be lost for a distance of two to three hundred feet on either side of the bridge and a retaining wall of various height would be needed. The section of trail from the railroad to the Lake Susan Park entrance would cross private property occupied by Roberts Automatic Products or Empak or both. By relocating a few smaller trees, there appears to be enough space and adequate grade between the parking lots of the two businesses to place a trail. The primary issue would be to secure the necessary easements. Option 2: Use the Highway 5 Right-of-Way There are some advantages of a trail along Highway 5 compared to the railroad alignment: it eliminates the possibility of a wetland conflict; it eliminates the need to extend the trail through the underpass; and it eliminates the severe slope problems. The primary disadvantages of this option are that it requires an at-grade (although signalized) crossing of Highway 5; it makes a more circuitous route between the two destinations; its not as directly linked to the downtown; and it still would require easements from private property owners. There may still be grade difficulties to deal with in this option as well. Option 3: Use the Lake Drive Right-of-Way This option provides the easiest way to make a connection between downtown and Lake Susan Park - in fact it already exists as a sidewalk. The sidewalk could be widened to / ! Chanhassen Trail Study - TCWRRAlignment This photo shows the Highway 5 underpass looking west. There is not enough space for the trail between the tracks and the bridge abutments, the grade difference between the tracks and adjacent land is also evident. This photo shows where the trail could be benched behind the bridge abutments. k-tH Hoisington Koegler Group Inc Chanhassen Trail Study - TCWRRAlignment This photo shows the character and amount of vegetation along the rail line. Most of the vegetation would have to be removed ifa trail were installed. This scene show where the trail would extend toward Lake Susan Park through the industrial sites. Hoisington Koegler Group Inc