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Pequot Lakes - Hwy 371 North August 21, 2005 Page 10 of 14 The County is open to this. However, historically, the County has responded only when the City initiates it. A study needs to be done first and the County generally participates in its cost. The Committee discussed relocation options and considered a number of factors including: right-of-way costs, existing buildings, terrain, traffic signal spacing, and traffic patterns. The Committee preferred/suggested the Morehouse Drive option by studied. From the TH 371 /Morehouse Drive intersection, the "new" CSAH 11 is proposed to proceed east along Morehouse Drive to the northeast corner of the Industrial Park. It would then continue north and east to connect back into the present CSAH 11. It should be noted that the Committee also recommended that construction of such a realignment be delayed until some time after the completion of the TH 371 project. The Committee also recommended that the City and its P&Z take actions to identify and preserve a corridor along this general route for such a time when construction of this realignment is desired. `.. 37. The speed limit of the highway through town is a very big concern. The present speed limit on TH 371 within a portion of the `urban core' is 35-mph. The City wants to keep this same speed via the use of curb and gutter sections, minimal shy distances to medians, minimal shoulders, lighting, aesthetics, and other means that still provide for a safe roadway. MnDOT cannot promise that the speed limit would remain at 35-mph. MnDOT's process for setting the speed limit is to post an interim speed limit after construction is complete. After about 6 months to a year, MnDOT comes out and does a speed study. The final speed limit is then set based off the range of speeds observed (generally, the majority of people will travel only as fast as they feel comfortable). It was suggested that MnDOT extend the curb and gutter further south on both sides, out to match the limits of the concrete median. This will minimize sending a mixed message on the type of section (urban with concrete median in the middle but rural with ditch on the right) and give a more consistent urban feel throughout town. The Council feels strongly the speed limit through the urban core section of the City should be 30-35 mph, with design features corresponding to such. A design with features intended to accommodate traffic speeds greater than 45 mph is not favored. C\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLKB\082105 Overall List of Issues-memo.doc