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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnvironmental Impact Statement for I-35W Larry Anderson City of Prior Lake 4629 Dakota St. S.E.outh Prior Lake, MN 55372 lySe. 11.A e/V~D "~;, ' ~f6";/: a 1.9.9/ ~~ March 28, 1991 Dear Larry, Enclosed is a corrected copy of the cover letter and resolution concerning the Environmental Impact Statement on I-3SW. Yesterday a similar copy was mailed to you; however, that previous copy unfortunately contained some typographical errors in reference to the freeways. I apologize for any inconvenience or confusion this may have caused you. If you have any questions, please contact any of the individuals listed below. Respectfully yours, Charles Honchell, City of Bloomington Charles Siggerud, City of Burnsville Robert Erickson, City of Lakeville Donald Fondrick, City of Richfield enclosures March 27, 1991 Dear As you may be aware, the EIS process for I-35W recently has once again been delayed. Now the draft EIS will not be completed until the fall of this year at the earliest. At least a portion of the various delays are the result of waiting for information associated with the so-called NTN alternative that has been proposed by a group of Minneapolis residents. Reviews of that alterna- tive have shown that the alternative is unsafe and does not meet the MnDOT or Federal Highway Administration standards of design. Because of this finding the alternative was removed from further EIS consideration, although several of its main aspects were put into a new alternative that potentially can meet the safety standards. Notwithstanding that, the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County recently have passed actions requesting the Minnesota Department of Transportation to reinsert this alternative into the EIS. If this action were to be taken, it is reasonable to assume that based on past experience the EIS would be further delayed and additional costs would be incurred. If this is included as an alternative through the finalization of the EIS, it also leaves open the possibility a decision may be made to choose this alternative. Such a deci- sion would result in a facility that does not meet safety standards and is unacceptable. For the sake of the citizenry that must rely on this vital transportation corridor this should not occur. In addition these delays have now made the previously programmed construction of the interim third lane project from 1-494 southerly across the Minnesota River to no longer be possible in 1993. Although construction funds appear to remain, MnDOT has removed the necessary design staff as well as any funds for potential use of consultants to do the design work. As a result of these situations, discussions have been held by staff members of all the cities adjacent to I-35W south of the City of Minneapolis. It was concurred that the position of these communities and others should be made known to MnDOT, elected officials and other interested parties. The timely and appropriate completion of I-35W is something of considerable importance to our region. If the EIS decision making agencies conclude that the NTN propos- al, or other actions which result in delays or construction of inadequate facilities on 35W, should be considered for the Minneapolis portion; it ap- pears that the EIS should be split at the Minneapolis border so that the process could continue in a timely fashion for that portion south of Minneapo- lis. You are requested to have your local government consider taking action on the accompanying resolution or any other resolution which you feel properly repre- sents your views. Inasmuch as the Hennepin County and Minneapolis resolutions have already been acted upon by those organizations, and meetings held with the Commissioner of MnDOT it is requested that you would take action as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact any of the undersigned and I'm sure further discussion would be welcome. Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully yours, Charles Honchell, City of Bloomington Charles Siggerud, City of Burnsville Robert Erickson, City of Lakeville Donald Fondrick, City of Richfield RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Council and Federal Highway Administration (parties) have been preparing an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) for I-35W from 1-94 south for several years; and WHEREAS, said EIS has been delayed and the schedule revised; and WHEREAS, one cause of said delays has been the inclusion of an alter- native known as the NTN Alternative being proposed by a Minneapolis neighbor- hood group; and WHEREAS, after study this alternative was found to not meet safety requirements, not be buildable in accordance with roadway standards and was replaced with another alternative which incorporated several of the major aspects of the NTN Alternative; and WHEREAS, Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis have recently requested that the NTN proposal be put back into the EIS; and WHEREAS, such reinclusion would likely cause further delay, additional costs and potentially a decision that would result in the construction of an unsafe roadway which would provide less capacity than the current facility, and WHEREAS, such delays may also result in the interim third lane project from 1-494 south to the Minnesota River not being able to be undertaken in 1993 as programmed; and WHEREAS, MnDOT funding decisions have now removed the necessary manpower or consultant funds to do the design of said interim project; and WHEREAS, the timely and appropriate improvement of 1-35W is very import- ant to the well being of the community and to the safety of users of the facility. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the parties are requested to maintain their position that the NTN alternative is not an implementable alternative; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that MnDOT should provide design staff or consultant funds to prepare the necessary plans and drawings to avoid delays on the interim third lane project south of 1-494, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if the NTN Proposal is reinserted that the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Council and Federal Highway Administration should split the E1S into two portions with one portion being the City of Minneapolis and the second portion being that portion south of the City of Minneapolis in order to not unduly delay the process of provid- ing the safety and service this badly needed facility would bring to the people of this region. Passed and adopted this day of . 19 Attest: "CELEBRATE PRIOR LAKE'S CENTENNIAL - 1991" RESOLUTION 91-16 RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR 1-35W MOTIONED BY SECONDED BY WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Metropolitan council and Federal Highway Administration (parties) have been preparing an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) for 1-35W from 1-94 south for several years; and WHEREAS, said EIS has been delayed and the schedule revised; and WHEREAS, one cause of said delays has been the inclusion of an alternative known as the NTN Alternative being proposed by a Minneapolis neighborhood group; and WHEREAS, after study this alternative was found safety requirements, not be buildable in roadway standards and was replaced alternative which incorporated several aspects of the NTN Alternative; and to not meet accordance with with another of the major WHEREAS, Hennepin County and the city recently requested that the NTN into the EIS; and of Minneapolis proposal be put have back WHEREAS, such reinclusion would likely additional costs and potentially result in the construction of an would provide less capacity than and cause further delay, a decision that would unsafe roadway which the current facility, WHEREAS, such delays may also result in the interim third lane project from 1-494 south to the Minnesota River not being able to be undertaken in 1993 as programmed; and WHEREAS, MnDOT funding decisions have now removed manpower or consultant funds to do the interim project; and WHEREAS, the timely and appropriate improvement of 1-35W is very important to the well being of the community and to the safety of users of the facility. the design necessary of said NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA, that the parties are requested to maintain their position that the NTN alternative is not an implementable alternative; and 4629 Dakota St. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372 I Ph. (612) 447-4230 I Fax (612) 447-4245 An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that MnDOT should provide design staff or consultant funds to prepare the necessary plans and drawings to avoid delays on the interim third land project south of 1-494, and BE IF FURTHER RESOLVED, that if the NTN Proposal is reinserted that the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Council and Federal Highway Administration should split the EIS into two portions with one portion being the city of Minneapolis and the second portion being that portion south of the Citr of Minneapolis in order to not unduly delay the process of prov1ding the safety and service this badly needed facility would bring to the people of this region. Passed and adopted this th day of , 1991. YES NO Andren Fitzgerald Larson Scott White Andren Fitzgerald Larson Scott White David J. Unmacht City Manager City of Prior Lake {Seal}