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County approves new trail crossing in Wyoming |
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Wednesday, 23 January 2008 |
MaryHelen Swanson
ECM Post Review
The Chisago County Board, acting in the capacity of County Rail Authority on Jan. 16, approved an access across the Sunrise Prairie Trail at a proposed Forest Boulevard Trail in Wyoming. The access will be approximately 1700 feet south of Fairview Boulevard and 3600 feet north of 250th Street.
The crossing point is in Wyoming Township, but in process of being annexed to the city. The crossing would be built near the south entrance to Wyoming Elementary School.
Mark Erichson of WSB & Associates, representing the city of Wyoming and Wyoming Township, presented the request and was met with a bit of apprehension.
With the access crossing the recreational trail, it also crosses the future light rail corridor. The Sunrise Prairie Trail in Chisago County is on the old Burlington Northern railroad track bed and is first and foremost set aside by the rail authority for a future light rail system.
Concerns voiced
Chisago County Engineer Bill Malin expressed concern that it was premature to approve this crossing, not knowing costs or federal requirements for crossing a rail system or the actual plans for the area’s development.
Erichson explained that the crossing was necessary to begin development of 135 acres of land south and east of the hospital. The Xccent project is on the southwestern corner of that land area.
He said the crossing and signal at Forest Boulevard will not only provide access to the undeveloped land, but provide safer maneuvering for Wyoming Elementary as well as safe pedestrian access to the Sunrise Prairie Trail.
Erichson said the city of Wyoming would be paying for the signal at the crossing.
Commissioner Ben Montzka, who represents the district, said the crossing was necessary for development, also noting that Forest Boulevard Trail is a dangerous intersection. He said the board, as rail authority, should support the city of Wyoming.
But his original motion to approve the crossing went unsupported.
Erichson pointed out that the economic growth of the area would offset the cost of the gate crossing in the future. He also said it would be difficult to route a road up to Fairview Boulevard adding that Fairview Boulevard could not handle the heavy traffic that would be created.
Other factors
Commissioner Bob Gustafson, who was less than excited about approving the crossing, said that when the county put the trail in, it was made clear that they would not add accesses.
He went on, “But, on the other hand, we need this type of development.” He said he was torn between saving the trail and getting jobs.
Erichson said the crossing would spur growth in the area, something it has not been able to do because the property is essentially landlocked.
He used words such as “critical” and “vital” for the success of the area’s growth.
Commissioner Mike Robinson asked engineer Malin what was the worst thing that could happen if the light rail came through.
The county would have to cover the $200,000 cost of a crossing, Malin replied.
Robinson’s motion to approve the crossing was supported by Montzka.
The vote was unanimous, but came with a warning from Gustafson that it was going to be tough to deal with any more access requests.
Commissioner Lynn Schultz said it was the school safety factor that got her vote.
Erichson said the crossing met Mn/DOT’s criteria and that the city would be going through the Chapter 429 process as it proceeds.
He proposed that construction of the crossing would be done this year.
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