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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBTSCMinutes_2014_08_11Brookings Transportation Steering Committee August 11, 2014 The Brookings Transportation Steering Committee meeting was held at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, August 11, 2014 at Brookings City & County Government Center with the following members present: Keith Corbett, Daryl Englund, Jason Harms, Al Baker, Jacob Mills, Bob Hill and Jim Morgan; Michael Bartley and Les Rowland were absent. Others present included: City Manager Jeff Weldon and Deputy City Clerk Bonnie Foster. Chair Corbett called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. Approval of minutes. Motion made by Hill, seconded by Baker, to approve the minutes. It was mutually agreed to move the meeting start time to 3:00 p.m. for all future meetings. Discussion of DOT Project NH014B(04)418PCN03U; US Hwy 14 Bypass The committee is scheduled to provide an update on the US Hwy 14 Bypass project at the September 9th City Council meeting. Hill shared the County Commission is going to be discussing this project at their 8/12/2014 meeting. The County Commission is most concerned with the safety issue of the smaller vehicles on the round-about, not so much with the truck traffic. Concerns were raised about the ability to effect the state’s roundabout decision. However, it was agreed the committee should provide a financially sustainable transportation solution recommendation to the city council. Items of discussion focused on: closer cost comparison of the round-abouts versus bridge work – is the bridge replacement an equal cost alternative to the round-abouts; the remaining life of the existing bridge and how that fits into this decision; how to measure traffic when a round-about of this design becomes congested; are the round-abouts being placed in the right location, would it be better at Western Ave. and 22nd Ave.; SDDOT removing access drives to the bypass; concerns with the proposed detour route and using township roads where bridges may have inadequate weight limits for truck traffic (e.g. bridge by Larry Barnett’s home); safety of the current design versus safety of the round- about; educating the public of how to maneuver through a round-about and making sure there is adequate signage. Weldon shared John Ritterhaus is scheduled to be at their August 25th meeting to discuss the scope of the project, not the policy issues involved. Weldon is going to see if Jeff Senst can either attend in person or be on a teleconference call for the August 18th meeting. Weldon suggested waiting until after the August 18th meeting to provide a recommendation to the council. Staff & HDR reports and DOT interstate corridor studies on 20th St. Improvement Project Mike Struck, Community Development Director shared with the committee the process involved in granting SDDOT approval. When looking at constructing an interstate interchange, the SDDOT requires an Interstate Justification Report, which requires an environmental study. The SDDOT doesn’t like to disturb previous project areas which used Land & Water Conservation Funds, so there are some concerns surrounding the Golf Course. No work is anticipated to be on the golf course, however, temporary construction easements are of concern. In regards to the exact location of the interchange, Weldon stated two property owners on the SW quadrant had previously offered the possibility of shifting this interchange further to the south, and then angling north closer to 34th Ave. Weldon will need to verify with the property owners if this is still an option. Potential land development in this area is of concern. With the two gravel mining operations on the east side of I-29, an engineering analysis for stability would be needed if were to fill in the ponds and construct on top of them. Total costs for this project is unknown, as is the source of funding with SDDOT currently in maintenance mode and not investing in any new projects at this time. The city will need to look at other funding mechanisms, and possibly anticipate some changes in legislative processes as there is currently not a lot of development potential in this area to generate a TIF to cash flow the project. Reviewing other interstate corridor studies for background information will be helpful in looking at all possible alternatives for this interchange. Other Items Next meeting is scheduled for August 18th at 3:00 p.m. Adjourn A motion was made by Corbett, seconded by Mills to adjourn. All present voted yes; motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 4:33 p.m. Submitted by Bonnie Foster.