Hwy 3 & 19 Multimodal Transportation Study
Project Summary
The City of Northfield is in the process of defining the details of a modal integration project in the vicinity of TH 19 and TH 3 for submittal to the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Discretionary Grant Program (TIGER). The purpose of this project is to identify and evaluate potential grade-separation concepts that would promote and enhance non-motorized transportation and build a more cohesive community.
TH 19 and TH 3 present various transportation challenges to travelers in the Northfield area. The expanse of the highways and speed of vehicles moving through the area create obstacles in connecting pedestrians and bicyclists to and from different parts of the City. In particular, non-motorized mobility needs to be improved to connect northwest Northfield and St. Olaf to the downtown, as well as across TH 19. Given the traffic volumes and the width of highway to cross, a grade separated non-motorized crossing has been recommended in the City's Transportation Plan.
Additionally, the north and south junction intersections of TH 19 and TH 3 are currently near-congested or congested during the morning and evening peak travel periods of the day and are forecasted to be congested in the future. The City is planning for a future transit hub to be potentially located near the southwest quadrant of the south junction of the intersection in close proximity to the Mill Towns Trail and existing rail line. The City is underway with this study to carefully consider how all modes of traffic and transportation users will be able to safely and efficiently access the future transit hub in conjunction with completion of the TIGER funding application. This is especially important given the high traffic volumes on TH 19, short distance between the railroad tracks and the TH 19/TH 3 intersection, and heavy truck traffic in the area.
Study Area - The study area includes TH 3 from the bridge over the Cannon River to the bridge over the railroad north of St. Olaf Avenue; and TH 19/5th Street from the Odd Fellows Lane to the bridge over the Cannon River.
Draft Concepts
Improvement concepts are under development and draft concepts were presented to the City Council on Monday, August 3, 2009. Concepts will continue to be refined and finalized through the week of August 17, 2009. Draft recommendations were presented to the City Council on Monday August 24, 2009. Concepts were further refined and presented to the public at an Open House that occurred on August 26, 2009. To review draft concepts and information presented to council, please follow the link below.
Council Update - August 3, 2009
Council Update – August 24, 2009
Open House Powerpoint Presentation – August 26, 2009
TIGER Application - September 15, 2009