06.03 Comprehensive Plan Update - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

TRANSPORTATION INTENT Maintain a transportation system that provides for a variety of safe and flexible mobility options for people and businesses operating within the City, as well as provides for safe, high-speed access to the surrounding economic region all at a cost that is financially responsible to taxpayers. HIGHWAY 371 The Highway 371 Expressway was completed in 2017 and is located along the easterly border of Downtown Pequot Lakes.Safety concerns for motorists created the need for this increased roadway corridor.The new four lane expressway from Nisswa to Jenkins provides enhanced connectivity to more populous areas, while providing safe and efficient travel to the City of Pequot Lakes for those that visit and work in our community. Future developments of the Cit�/s road system should capitalize on this new alignment that allows for ease of access and intra-city travel. The roads turnback process,between the City,Crow Wing County,and MnDOT for CSAH(Main Street), TH 371 (Patriot Avenuej,and County Road 112(Rasmussen Road),have allowed the City opportunities to create a more walkable and bike-able community due to the safer traffic pattern that has emerged in the downtown area.This, along with the future improvements to Trailside Park,will create a more cohesive community to live,work,and play. LOCAL ROADS AND STREETS The City has had an informal policy of working to bring every road up to meet the Cit�s ofFicial standard.As the � economy has evolved and the explosive growth of the 1990's and through 2008 has vanished,there is reason to reconsider this approach. Even in the best of economic times,the City had difficulty keeping up with road and I street maintenance. With a less vigorous economy projected for some time to come, it does not seem to be possible that the City could keep every implied road and street maintenance commitment. I The reality is,however,that the City does not know exactly how much that implied commitment is.While some I projects that have been in the works for years are continuously delayed for lack of funds (Government � Drive being the prime example),other urgent projects are added to the near-term list. Many of the roads that were built by developers or through a direct assessment of petitioning property owners are still in their first life ' cycle, so major maintenance expense has not been an issue.. In order to greater understand these pending expenses the City has developed a Street Criteria Policy which provides for the evaluation and rehabilitation schedule of all of the�ty streets. I, It is also becoming more apparent that the assumptions behind the current road and street sections may be faulty,or at least not in line with the public's financial expectations.For roads,it is always assumed that two cars must be able to meet going in opposite direction at high speed without the need to slow down or yield.While being able to drive 40 mph instead of 20 mph can save minutes on a trip,this design may be a luxury we are no longer willing to pay for. Comprehensive Plan Update-November 2018 24 � P a g e