Abby Nadeau
Staff Writer

Forest Lake area residents will get the preview theyíve been waiting for as early as July of 2007.

The Forest Lake City Council voted on Monday to approve the construction of one roundabout at US-61/Lake Street at West Broadway Avenue, prior to the entire corridor being constructed.

Washington Countyís Project Manager for the West Broadway reconstruction project, Mike Rogers, presented the council with their recommendation to construct one roundabout in 2007 instead of all seven in 2008.

The proposal, which was brought by Mayor Terry Smith in August, has several benefits according to Rogers.

In an e-mailed press release, Rogers stated that the construction of a roundabout at Lake Street and West Broadway ìwould coincide with the mill and overlay of US-61 (MnDOT project), limiting downtown construction to one year.î

Rogers stated several other benefits of an early construction date including easier traffic detours, faster intersection construction, and ìallows community to gain a level of comfort with a roundabout.î

At Monday nightís council meeting Rogers announced that there were some drawbacks to the early construction date.

ìBecause youíre not focusing on the whole corridor, there is a potential for a higher [project] cost,î Rogers said.

Rogers said that the total cost for the project would be $2.5 million, which includes $800,000 for construction and $1.7 for ìacquisition of property.î

The $2.5 million would be split, 50/50 with the city and Washington County.

When Council member Susan Young asked where the money from the city would come from, City Administrator Chip Robinson said ìweíd look at MSA dollars and tax increments.î

Another concern the council had with the roundabout project was the loss of parking and sidewalks in downtown during construction.

ìThe loss of parking is true, but it is something weíll be working on to minimize the loss,î Rogers said.

He continued by saying that between now and the final design, Washington County can meet with the council to give them an update on the planning stages and how they will make up for the loss of sidewalks and parking.

ìIíll look forward to hearing about sidewalks,î Young said. ìWe do not have a welcoming downtown and we need to preserve the parking if weíre going to have any of these businesses be successful.î

Smith noted that recently the Economic Development Association approved the reconstruction of all the sidewalks, curb and gutter and decorative street lights, all along Lake Street.

Therefore, taking out a portion of the sidewalk to make more room for parking could be a possible solution.

Rogers stated that he would visit the council in January and February to give them an update on where the planning is for the sidewalks and parking.

A final design is expected to be to the council by March, with construction of the roundabout starting July 5, 2007.

Prior to construction, the city and county will have to eliminate two properties on the corner of Lake St. and West Broadway.

Washington County Commissioner Dennis Hegberg was also present to speak to the council about the land acquisition and his reasons for favoring the plan over others.

He stated that the land acquisition would be more, if the city and county had chosen to put in dual turn lanes. The roundabout plan had the least amount of ìtaking.î

ìThese two properties would be taken despite the aspect of design,î Hegberg said.

Now that the council has approved the first roundabout, Rogers will propose the project to the County.

If approved by the county, final designs will be done from October 2006 through March 2007. The construction of the roundabout could be finished as early as next fall.

The council voted 5-0 to move along with the project.

The council stated that information would be released in an upcoming city newsletter and that residents can look at the cityís web site for more information at www.ci.forest-lake.mn.us.

Top of Page

Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605