Abby Nadeau
Staff Writer

In a 4-1 vote Monday the Forest Lake City Council approved Washington Countyís recommendation for seven roundabouts along W. Broadway Ave.

Mike Rogers, a Washington County associate transportation planner, presented the council with the West Broadway Business Task Force findings between using roundabouts or a compressed diamond along West Broadway at I-35.

In the city councilís workshop, prior to the council meeting, the task force recommended that West Broadway have a raised median from SW 19th St. to US-61 and have roundabouts for the interchange area.

In Rogerís Power Point presentation he stated that roundabouts ìprovide a higher level of service, additional capacity, easier u-turns, better business access, they have the ability to utilize the existing bridge and they can accommodate pedestrian movements without impacting intersection coordination.î

In the preliminary plans given to the city council Rogers notes seven roundabouts where left turns could be made. They would be placed at SW 19th St., the east and west ramps on and off I-35, SW 12th St., SW 7th St., SW 4th St. and US-61 (Lake St.).

The preliminary cost for the project is $10 million with the county paying 75 percent of the cost and the city paying 25 percent.

However, the cost does not include right-of-way or pollution mitigation and does not include the $2.2 million needed to build a new bridge over I-35.

ìThe existing bridge can last for another 15 years,î Rogers said. ìThe roundabouts have a 20-year life span that we can try and predict, up to 2028.î

Dissenting Opinions

Dick Tschida opposed the construction due to the way the roundabouts controlled traffic, leaving some businesses with difficult entrances. He instead proposed another solution to the traffic problem.

ìHow can I protect the business?î Tschida asked. ìAs soon as you put a median down Broadway youíve controlled the traffic. If these are such a good deal why arenít all the high traffic cities using them? Why donít you try one and see if it works.î

Some community members had concerns about pedestrian walkways.

Rogers stated that the roundabout pedestrian walkways are actually safer than the current intersection.

ìWith the existing signal there are five lanes to cross,î Rogers said. ìWith the roundabouts pedestrians walk over two lanes, stop in median and then cross the next two lanes.î

There were also several business owners who stated their own frustrations with the project and possible relocation of their businesses.

Gary Kerkow, who owns the building on the west side of Lake St. from Park Place, stated that he had to read about his building being taken for the project in the newspaper.

Other business owners attended the meeting to hear how the roundabouts will affect them.

ìIf youíre going to take our property are you going to give us at least some compensation for the business?î Jack Duncan, owner of a chiropractor clinic asked. ìIf I have to relocate, I want to make sure that I am treated fairly. You [the council] should do it and get it taken care of so we can make plans and get property.î

Rogers assured business owners that they would be adequately compensated.

The time line for the roundabout project will start with environmental studies that will last until June.

The final design of the roundabout construction will be determined from June to January of 2007. The construction of the roundabouts is slated to start between 2007 and 2008, weather permitting.

ìConstruction wouldnít be done in just one construction season, it might last two,î Rogers said. ìAnother step we plan to take is to have the county web site explain how to use roundabouts. We are working to develop more in depth information that is specific to this area.î

Other Business

The city approved unanimously to allow Washington County to purchase the land for the library site/service center and transit site.

The city will, however, donate the library land to the county.

In a letter written to council members City Administrator Chip Robinson stated, ìAs you may recall it has been understood from the beginning of the process that the city would donate the land and required parking area for that portion of the library site. This would amount to half of the Service Center/Library site or 4.32 acres.î

Robinson explained that donating the land was something other Washington County cities like Woodbury and Stillwater have done in the past.

The council also voted unanimously on the recommendations for the Planning Commission.

Marc Mayne and Paul Girard will remain on the board while Cherry Broecker and Angela Schreader will be added.

The West Broadway Business Task Force is scheduled to meet 8 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 23 at the American Legion.

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Forest Lake Times
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880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
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