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CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS <br />This report has studied the feasibility of providing roadway improvements to a segment of North <br />Sluetter Road along the west City Limits of the City of Pequot Lakes. There are four main <br />review points: <br />Are the improvements necessary? <br />As a stand alone project, considering the need to coordinate with Loon Lake <br />Township, the dead -end nature of this road, and the present relatively low traffic volume, <br />it is challenging to say that the improvements are necessary. <br />If the City can seek cooperation from Loon Lake Township and if this project could <br />be completed in conjunction with possible improvements to Wildlife Trail, a case could <br />be made that the improvements are necessary. <br />Are the improvements cost - effective? <br />There are initial costs to consider as well as longer term maintenance and <br />replacement costs. The weight and balance to apply to these two is a decision the City <br />`-- Council needs to make. <br />From an initial cost standpoint, the estimated costs are in line with other similar <br />improvement projects. The level of improvements is not excessive and has been <br />adjusted to meet the situation. <br />So, the improvements appear initially cost effective. <br />From a longer term maintenance and replacement cost - effectiveness perspective, <br />there have been past attempts to look at the comparative economics of maintaining a <br />gravel road versus the initial and maintenance costs involved with a paved road (there <br />can be a large number of variables in these analyses, depending on how in -depth one <br />wants to go). <br />In this study, we are not going to justify one approach over the other. Suffice it to say <br />that the City Standards are to head towards paved roads (and, as yearly budgets are <br />made, to account for eventual re- surfacing or replacements). <br />So, if the question of cooperation with Loon Lake Township can be answered in a <br />positive way for the City, the improvements appear cost effective from a longer term <br />maintenance and replacement perspective. <br />f <br />Pequot Lakes — North Sluetter Road Improvements Study <br />WSN No. 013060045.000 Page 11 <br />