Consider use of Sunwood Drive as Official Detour Route during Highway 10 & Armstrong Boulevard Interchange Construction

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to consider whether it would be in the best interest of the City to relocate the officially designated detour route from Bunker Lake Boulevard to Sunwood Drive.  This detour route will be signed as such to direct traffic between Armstrong Boulevard (CSAH 83) and Ramsey Boulevard (CSAH 56) during construction of the Highway 10 and Armstrong Boulevard Interchange.

Background:
Currently, Bunker Lake Boulevard is planned to be the official detour route as shown in the attached plan sheet from the plans that are currently out for bids. In recent discussions with Anoka County the City was informed that Anoka County may be open to considering relocating the officially designated detour route from Bunker Lake Boulevard to Sunwood Drive if the City were to present such a request in writing.  However, County staff could make no guarantees that such a request would be granted, and they added that the City would likely be required to waive its rights to claim any damages against the County for damage to City streets resulting from any additional traffic due to the change in designation of the official detour route.
 
At this time, staff is simply requesting input on whether the Committee thinks such a request would be in the best interest of the City.  If so, staff will prepare a letter requesting the change in designation and will present it to Anoka County for consideration.  In the event the County would allow the change in designation, staff would then present the County’s terms to the City Council for consideration of approval, including any required agreements, damage claim waivers, or requests for compensation if the change in detour route designation resulted in increased project costs.  At this time staff does not anticipate any cost increase due to such a request.

Staff estimates this case will take approximately 15 minutes to present and discuss.

Observations:
Additional traffic will likely be generated along the route that is designated as the official detour route, particularly now that Armstrong Boulevard will be closed to traffic during most of the project.  However, staff does not anticipate that the additional traffic will negatively impact use of the Sunwood Drive corridor, either for vehicular traffic or pedestrians.  Relatively few pedestrian crossings exist along Sunwood Drive, with the majority of observed crossings occurring between Sapphire and Rhinestone Streets.  

Alternatives:
Alternative #1 – Motion to recommend submittal of a letter to Anoka County requesting a change in designation for the official detour route from Bunker Lake Boulevard to Sunwood Drive between Armstrong Boulevard (CSAH 83) and Ramsey Boulevard (CSAH 56) during construction of the Highway 10 and Armstrong Boulevard Interchange.

Alternative #2 – Motion to recommend leaving the official detour route along Bunker Lake Boulevard as currently shown in the plans.

Staff does not have a recommendation on this item.  It is staff’s opinion that the vast majority of drivers will select their own detour routes during construction of the interchange project based on their needs and preferences, not based on detour route signing.

Recommend or deny submittal of a letter to Anoka County requesting a change in designation for the official detour route from Bunker Lake Boulevard to Sunwood Drive between Armstrong Boulevard (CSAH 83) and Ramsey Boulevard (CSAH 56) during construction of the Highway 10 and Armstrong Boulevard Interchange.