I-90 Exit 406 Interchange Modification Study and ... · I-90 Exit 406 Interchange Modification...

55
I-90 Exit 406 Interchange Modification Study and Environmental Assessment Public Involvement #2 January 23, 2017 Holiday Inn Express Convention Center Brandon, SD Public Comments Summary Public Meeting 6:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. -Sign-in Sheets -Meeting Handout -Presentation -Meeting Comment Forms -Email/Website Comments -Meeting Notes Stakeholder Meetings 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. -Sign-in Sheets -Agenda -Meeting Comment Forms -Email/Website Comments -HRG Notes/Discussion Summary Display Boards Report Date: February 16, 2017

Transcript of I-90 Exit 406 Interchange Modification Study and ... · I-90 Exit 406 Interchange Modification...

I-90 Exit 406 Interchange Modification

Study and Environmental Assessment

Public Involvement #2

January 23, 2017

Holiday Inn Express Convention Center

Brandon, SD

Public Comments Summary

Public Meeting

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. -Sign-in Sheets -Meeting Handout -Presentation -Meeting Comment Forms -Email/Website Comments -Meeting Notes

Stakeholder Meetings

1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. -Sign-in Sheets -Agenda -Meeting Comment Forms -Email/Website Comments -HRG Notes/Discussion Summary

Display Boards

Report Date: February 16, 2017

I-90 Exit 406 Interchange Modification Study and Environmental Assessment Public Involvement #2 Summary Meeting Date: January 23, 2017

February 16, 2017

SDDOT – Brandon, SD

I-90 Exit 406 Interchange Modification Study & Environmental Assessment Public Comments Summary

Alternative Comment

Interchange Build Alternatives

Standard Diamond Interchange

Stakeholder Meeting Comments Public Meeting Comments Certain comments for the Standard Diamond Interchange (shifted west) apply here, with the differentiator being the ‘shifted west’ component.

Standard Diamond Interchange (shifted west)

Stakeholder Meeting Comments

Preference stated for this interchange alternative (multiple comments).

Benefits of being able to keep existing bridge open noted (shifted west component), important to businesses.

Public Meeting Comments

Preference stated for this this interchange alternative, particularly the ‘shifted west’ element (multiple comments).

With regard to shifted west, noted benefits of being able to keep existing bridge open noted, important to both motorists.

Simplicity noted as a benefit.

Standard Diamond w/Roundabouts (shifted west)

Stakeholder Meeting Comments

Concern for long trucks navigating roundabouts (multiple comments) to complete through and left-turn movements.

Right-of-way at entry can be confusing.

Clearance of large trucks navigating roundabouts a concern.

Recommendation of adding roundabout at Ash Street . Public Meeting Comments

Speed through this alternative with roundabouts potentially being slower than others is a benefit.

Safety noted as a benefit.

Multiple comments stating concern for this alternative, including: o Concern with SB traffic in AM peak trying to find a gap with the

NB to WB movement o Large vehicles o Delay when entering roundabout o Snow removal o Crash impacts (blocking traffic) o Truck clearance concerns (low boys)

Diverging Diamond Interchange

Stakeholder Meeting Comments

Preference stated for DDI.

Question about a foreseeable issue with the EB to NB movement at eastbound off-ramp

I-90 Exit 406 Interchange Modification Study and Environmental Assessment Public Involvement #2 Summary Meeting Date: January 23, 2017

February 16, 2017

SDDOT – Brandon, SD I-90 Exit 406 Interchange Modification Study & Environmental Assessment

Public Comments Summary

Alternative Comment

Diverging Diamond Interchange (cont.)

Public Meeting Comments

Multiple comments supporting a DDI, including: o NB to WB traffic patterns and potential for free left turn at

northern crossover o Pedestrian and bicycle accommodations o Futuristic o Handle future traffic growth and all vehicle types

SD Hwy 11 Corridor Build Alternatives

5-Lane Undivided (south of I-90)

Stakeholder Meeting Comments

Specific discussion between 4-lane and 5-lane alternatives typically centered around turn restrictions and ability to turn in/out of the minor-street approach.

Public Meeting Comments

Preference stated both for and against 5-lane undivided corridor (multiple comments for both).

Concern regarding turn restrictions at select locations, such as gas station, churches and roadways.

Preference for corridor to avoid U-turns.

4-Lane Divided (south of I-90)

Stakeholder Meeting Comments

Benefits of median noted in discussion.

Importance of 9th and Redwood improvements noted if access

restricted to SD 11.

Concern regarding impacts to businesses on east side.

Concern for closed SB LT access into McDonalds/gas station

U-turns pose issues for trucks (multiple comments)

U-Turn Comments: o Concern for businesses on the east side. o U-turns create out of the way travel. o U-turn is okay for car traffic; truck traffic not so much.

Public Meeting Comments

Preference stated for the (DDI interchange option) & Option B arterial improvements – best combination of roadway operations and safety.

Oppose U-turns due to out of the way travel

Support median and U-turns for safety and operational benefits

Backage Road Sub-Alternatives

Stakeholder Meeting Comments

If access is closed, can see people will turn on Ash and go through the gas station and this can cause problems.

Can access for Tailgators be moved out front instead of behind the business?

Public Meeting Comments

Preference stated for widened backage road to allow 2-way truck traffic through curves.

I-90 Exit 406 Interchange Modification Study and Environmental Assessment Public Involvement #2 Summary Meeting Date: January 23, 2017

February 16, 2017

SDDOT – Brandon, SD I-90 Exit 406 Interchange Modification Study & Environmental Assessment

Public Comments Summary

Alternative Comment

Retain Existing (north of I-90)

Stakeholder Meeting Comments

Comment regarding trail option on east side, concern with trail crossings and conflicts with driveways into CHS facilities on west side.

Public Meeting Comments

Hemlock Boulevard Intersection Sub-Alternatives

Stakeholder Meeting Comments

Does not support full acquisition of apartments due to revenue they provide sanitary district.

Marmen noted concern with push button at office because the

loaded truck may stop at the RR tracks to adjust load height for

multiple hours; can’t be seen from office.

Public Meeting Comments

Other

Stakeholder Meeting Comments Considerable discussion and comments regarding the access locations between I-90 and Ash Street. Following provides a summary of some of those comments:

Preference of keeping at least one access between I-90 and Ash Street. Does not support backage roads.

Third turn lane SB between I-90 and Ash Street suggested/recommended (multiple comments). Noted example at N Cliff between I-90 and 60

th Street.

Comment noted importance of driveway(s) north of Ash Street and helping to reduce queues on Ash Street (spreads traffic across multiple access points).

Noted that ‘businesses can’t survive without a good access.’

Concern for cut-through traffic across gas station lot to restaurant and hotels (already occurs to some extent)

Considerable discussion regarding the Ash Street intersection, primarily focusing on access at the intersection (full or restricted) and type of traffic control. The following is a summary of those comments and discussion:

Noted it is difficult to turn left out of Ash Street. Traffic is in a steady stream southbound, but signal at Redwood Blvd provides gaps in traffic. Recommends controlling vehicles at the ramp terminals and timing signals to provide a southbound gap in traffic.

Discussion regarding signal spacing, signal timing/coordination, and addition of signal to Ash Street intersection.

Misc. Interchange Comments

Strong preference for maintaining traffic across I-90 with whatever interchange is selected (multiple comments)

Marmen stated the cross slopes and crown of the road bring issues with Marmen trucks; they hit the bottom of their trailer.

I-90 Exit 406 Interchange Modification Study and Environmental Assessment Public Involvement #2 Summary Meeting Date: January 23, 2017

February 16, 2017

SDDOT – Brandon, SD I-90 Exit 406 Interchange Modification Study & Environmental Assessment

Public Comments Summary

Alternative Comment

Other (cont.)

Public Meeting Comments Misc. Interchange Comments

Sidewalks up to the bridge crossing need to be wider than standard to accommodate bikes & pedestrians.

Thanks for accommodating bicycle and pedestrian traffic.

Pedestrians and bicycles need to be protected inside a caged sidewalk when they go across the bridge – to much heavy truck traffic for them to be safe any other way.

Accelerate project and construct earlier due to existing conditions (multiple comments).

Construct separate ramp(s) for industrial area and/or Marmen trucks.

Consider maintaining stop signs as signals would slow traffic most of the day.

Misc. Corridor Comments

Please take into account that this is the “Front Door” to Brandon and design a welcoming and easy to navigate boulevard. I hope the City of Brandon will work with you to make it as good as possible.

Widen Ash Street.

Existing Conditions Comments

Existing speeds too high and if they could be lowered in near future

(multiple comments).

Install traffic signals in interim.

Marmen trucks currently stop traffic at interchange.

Heavy SB traffic in PM peak blocks turning traffic at interchange.

Birch Street (East) Comments

Mixed feelings on what would be best approach, but stated it is

difficult in the mornings to turn left (south) from the east leg of Birch

(multiple comments).

Commenter indicated they already will turn right (north) and do

some sort of U-turn to head back south.

Provide alternate access to east/southeast was needed (multiple

comments).

Commenter noted difficulty they foresee needing to turn right

(north) and then get into the left lane in time to make a U-turn at

Ash. Also acknowledged providing full access at Birch would not

solve the concern either.

I-90 Exit 406 Interchange Modification Study and Environmental Assessment Public Involvement #2 Summary Meeting Date: January 23, 2017

February 16, 2017

Public Meeting

January 23, 2017

6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

-Sign-in Sheets -Meeting Handout -Presentation -Meeting Comment Forms -Email/Website Comments -Meeting Notes

Jon Wiegand, PE, PTOE Consultant Project Manager HR Green, Inc. 605-221-2656 [email protected]

Steve Gramm, PE SDDOT Project Manager South Dakota Department of Transportation 605-773-6641 [email protected]

I-90 Exit 406 (SD 11/Splitrock Blvd) Interchange Modification Study and Environmental Assessment

Brandon, SD

Interchange Modification Study Schedule

Gather information and perform existing conditions

analyses Complete

Public open house held on August 9, 2016, to assist in

identifying issues and needs.

Develop interchange and cross-road concepts; initial

concept screening Complete

Develop and refine Build Options for analysis from

screened concepts & conduct initial environmental impact

analysis In progress - February 2017

Public involvement to help evaluate interchange and cross-

road Build Options.

Develop IMJR and EA documents; identify proposed

Preferred Alternative February - May 2017

Public involvement to comment on Preferred Alternative.

Study Completion June/July 2017

Project Website: www.sehinc.com/online/406

The Project and Today’s Meeting Objectives

The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) has determined that a study of the I-90 Exit 406 Interchange and the SD 11/Splitrock Boulevard corridor is needed in order to plan for long-term growth and transportation needs in this project area. SDDOT currently has this project planned for letting between 2022 and 2025.

In response to feedback received at the previous open house and further study, the study team developed an initial range of alternatives and screened them to a remaining set of “Build Alternatives.” We are looking for your input on the developed interchange and corridor alternatives. This input will help us further refine and begin the screening process towards the identification of a preferred alternative for detailed design.

Please leave your comment form by the entryway before leaving or email/mail comments to Jon Wiegand or Steve Gramm by February 6, 2017.

Study Contacts: Additional Information:

Build Alternatives

Interchange Alternatives

Standard Diamond Interchange

Standard Diamond Interchange (shifted west)

Standard Diamond Interchange with Roundabouts (shifted west)

Diverging Diamond Interchange

Corridor Alternatives South of I-90

5-Lane Undivided

4-Lane Divided

Express Avenue Backage Road Sub-Alternatives

(for business access)

Corridor Alternatives North of I-90

Retain Existing Corridor with Potential Improvements at Hemlock Blvd Intersection

Hemlock Blvd Intersection Improvements Sub-Alternatives

Please visit the project website for figures of each alternative and meeting material.

I-90 Exit 406 Interchange Modification Study and Environmental Assessment Public Involvement #2 Summary Meeting Date: January 23, 2017

February 16, 2017

Email/Website Comments

Public Meeting: Website Comment: Date 2/08/17 For the interchanges, I like #2, standard diamond shifted west, the best. #4, diverging diamond, looks interesting, and seems like it would be ok, but I'm not familiar how well that design would work. For south of the interchange, proposal A would probably be the most convenient, but B might be safer. The traffic gets kind of scary through there at times. In Corson, if you had a traffic light to stop northbound traffic for the Marmen trucks, I think it would need to be near Corson Street. That is usually where the pilot cars with the stop signs stop traffic. Email: Date 02/08/17 Of the Interchange concepts, we prefer the Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI). We feel this would be the best option to allow for increased traffic and handle all types of vehicles. Of the corridor concepts we prefer the 5-Lane undivided. At this time, it would be best to allow left turns onto the highway. Right turns would still be an option, but not mandatory.

Website Comment: Date 2/07/17 Major concerns on how this proposed Project will effect our Church and there are agreements with the City of Brandon that need to be addressed as I am looking at your concepts!

Website Comment: Date 2/06/17 Considering this is a very rural area yet, a roundabout or any boulevards might slow up traffic more than help it. I know I was told the roundabout would be large enough to accommodate semis, but I would also be concerned about the very large machinery that also passes thru there. Boulevards south of I-90 might also impede the flow of farm machinery turning off on a side road. Why not just put in lights, widen the roadway thru that area and move your off ramps further down and at a better angle so that you can see the traffic coming BEFORE you pull out. Thanks!

Website Comment: Date 1/31/17 I have lived in Brandon for 17 years. I feel design #4 with the roundabouts would be the best option. Roundabouts have been proven to be very efficient and lowers the number of crashes that using stoplights would have.

I-90 Exit 406 Interchange Modification Study and Environmental Assessment Public Involvement #2 Summary Meeting Date: January 23, 2017

February 16, 2017

Website Comment: Date 1/31/17 Too bad the project has to wait as long as it does. Brandon has had tremendous growth, most citizens work in Sioux Falls area. Everyone is attempting to turn left on to I 90 in the morning and right off of I 90 in the evening hours. To complicate the issue the wind turbine mfg. company now transports windmill towers and plugs up the turn on to I 90 plus grain semi's. If your waiting to turn left off of I 90 going east to west it is impossible. All this leads to accidents and injuries. My recommendation is the intersections must accommodate semi truck traffic, eliminate tight turns, that is what we have at present but without traffic signals. Traffic signals for now would help significantly until the finished interchange is completed. The finished product must be simple. Sioux Falls has Round About's but I can see RA's causing problems with trucks and farm tractors that use the road to the Co-op. Farm tractors will many times be pulling at least two grain carts. Tractors and grain carts will not get along very well with Round Abouts. The system must flow in fairly straight lines considering large trucks and farm tractors with grain carts and sometimes farm machinery behind the tractor. Self propelled combines also use the north south road as well. Farmers have to have routes to cross I 90 or they will be very upset. Better also mention Terragators, Hi Boys, Etc. Farmers also have Caterpillar type farm tractors, they are large machines running on tracks in place of wheels. There are a few items I feel are needed for the Brandon I 90 interchange to be successful. One more item, it appears you have done an excellent job of trying to avoid existing business.

Email: Date 01/28/17 My wife and I have attended both of your meetings related to the Exit 406 interchange. We appreciate the time and effort of you and your staff. We believe the biggest issue that needs to be addressed is the traffic from Marmen. When Marmen moves their towers, they block traffic from both direction for several minutes. They do this at varying times during the day, including between 7 and 8 in the morning when local residents are attempting to get to work. When the Marmen 5:00 p.m. shift gets off, it is very difficult to turn south on Highway 11 or turn west to get on I-90. I am concerned that there will one or more serious accidents due to this traffic. I noticed that the exit is scheduled to be redone in the 2022-2025 timeframe. Giving the current safety issues that will likely continue to get worse, the project should be accelerated, if possible. Is it possible to construct a separate interstate entrance ramp only near the industrial park that would allow Marmen traffic to bypass exit 406? This would help the traffic at exit 406 and on highway 11 in Corson. Given that the Marmen traffic, especially the turbine traffic, is a major safety issue and the 4 alternatives advanced at the last meeting may help but it still appeared that this traffic would still be a major issue. Thank you for allowing us to comment.

I-90 Exit 406 Interchange Modification Study and Environmental Assessment Public Involvement #2 Summary Meeting Date: January 23, 2017

February 16, 2017

Email: Date 01/28/17 Thanks for a great presentation. I wanted to give my feedback. I have no preference north of town in Hemlock Blvd. South I prefer the 5 lane undivided. I see too much traffic in and out of holiday, there is church too, that would make no left turn onto split rock a disadvantage. In terms of express avenue back age road, I am undecided. I would lean to an option that widens the road for two way truck traffic while allowing access to businesses. I was not sure if the coffee cup northernmost entrance would also be closed. Finally, the bridge! I prefer either standard or diverging diamond. With standard the shifted west version. I am huge fan of roundabouts but just think two is too much. I think a couple key features help. One you had in your plans and that is two traffic lights. Second is the speed limit. It currently is 45mph from the Catholic Church in town to Corson. That is way too fast. I assume whatever is chosen will naturally slow speed limits, but strongly encourage you to work with state to ensure this happens. Some I spoke to did not even know of the current speed limits.

Website Comment: Date 1/26/17 In regards to the layout of the bridge itself, I like the standard interchange style similar to 10th & I-229. In regards to shifting to the west, I don't see a huge benefit one way or another. If it makes sense for ROW or construction, I'm good. With that in mind regarding traffic during construction, I don't see how it can be shut down. It if is shut down I worry about traffic being pushed on to the township gravel, or County asphalt. Especially with Concrete Materials and Marmon. There needs to be some improvements made to those roads prior to construction. I don't think the round abouts work well, especially with truck traffic. I've watched semi's at Worthington's off I-90 and it seems difficult for them. The diverging diamond looks like a night mare. Corridor south, I am mixed. I like the 5 lane undivided, but can see the benefit of the 4 lane divided. I just don't see how the rear access will work for the hotels and Tailgators. It will directly effect their business to go around the back. Corridor north, I question how long Marmon will be there anyway. There needs to be improvement for them pulling out going south, but at a minimum cost.

Email: Date 01/18/17 Attached is a photo of Splitrock Blvd from this AM at about 7:35, showing the northbound cars backed up. I was in front of the church and there were also several cars behind me. I wasn't sure if you had any actual photos to go along with your information. (Photo attached to the right)

Website Comment: Date 1/13/17 It appears to me that you are planning an interchange like the one in Sioux Falls at 229 and 10th St. I don't think that is necessary. Simply widening the overpass to include left turn lanes to the on/acceleration ramps will speed traffic going north and south, also facilitating exiting from the east. Also, widening the deceleration lane from the west would help, maybe a no stop turn from west to south (exiting from west). Traffic signals will slow traffic for most of the day.

I-90 Exit 406 Interchange Modification Study and Environmental Assessment Public Involvement #2 Summary Meeting Date: January 23, 2017

February 16, 2017

Project Team Meeting Notes

Jon Wiegand, HR Green

2 comments regarding existing speeds being too high:

Whether existing speeds could be lowered in the near future

What speeds will be in the future (tied to ‘design speeds’ type questions)

3 comments regarding access out of Birch

Mixed feelings on what would be best approach, but all agreed it is difficult in the

mornings to turn left (south) off of the east leg of Birch.

One indicated that they already will turn right (north) and do some sort of u-turn to head

back south

All 3 agreed that alternate access to east/southeast was needed

One comment regarding the difficulty they forsee needing to turn right (north) and then

get into the left lane in time to make a u-turn at Ash. Also acknowledged providing full

access at Birch would not solve the concern either. Supports alternate access for the

residential area.

Roundabouts

1 comment regarding trucks and the roundabouts. Didn’t think it would work.

I-90 Exit 406 Interchange Modification Study and Environmental Assessment Public Involvement #2 Summary Meeting Date: January 23, 2017

February 16, 2017

Stakeholder Meetings January 23, 2017

1:00 PM & 3:30 PM -Sign-in Sheets -Agenda -Meeting Comment Forms -Email/Website Comments -HRG Notes/Discussion Summary

I-90 Exit 406 Interchange Modification Study and Environmental Assessment Stakeholder Meeting Agenda

January 23, 2017

Introductory Information

A. Introductions

B. Study Information

a. Components

i. Environmental Assessment

ii. Interchange Modification Justification Report

b. Study Area

i. I-90 from BNSF railroad tracks to Split Rock Creek bridges

ii. SD 11 from Hemlock Boulevard to Redwood Boulevard

c. Improvements Timeline

i. Interchange Improvements planned for letting in FY 2022-2025

d. Study Timeline

i. May 2016 – Summer 2017

C. Purpose of today’s meeting

a. Gather feedback regarding interchange and corridor Build Alternatives

i. Assist in further refinement

ii. Assist in screening of Build Alternatives

Group Discussion

A. Interchange Build Alternatives a. Standard Diamond b. Standard Diamond (shifted west) c. Standard Diamond with

Roundabouts (shifted west) d. Diverging Diamond Interchange

B. Corridor Build Alternatives a. 5-Lane Undivided south of I-90 b. 4-Lane Divided south of I-90 c. Retain Existing north of I-90 d. Sub-Alternatives

i. Backage Roads for business access ii. Hemlock Boulevard

I-90 Exit 406 Interchange Modification Study and Environmental Assessment Public Involvement #2 Summary Meeting Date: January 23, 2017

February 16, 2017

Email/Website Comments

Stakeholder: Email: Date 2/6/17 As I sit here as a owner of the property near the interchange I get upset that the fact of closing down 2 driveways to make a drive faster for people trying to leave Brandon. I pay property tax and sales tax alot of both 120,000+ in sales tax and 30,000 in property and i feel you are not taking into account how much business i will lose by closing driveways. You need to put up stoplights and keep driveways for myself, the gas station and the hotels. We are thinking of closing them for 30 minutes of traffic in morning and 30 min at night. I think you need to look at traffic over the whole day there is not much after 8 am trying to go west and after 530 getting off at night. I just feel closing my driveways you are closing the businesses and we are doing this to get people to a different town faster. I think that in any one you guys pick to do you need to leave driveways for the businesses that pay for the projects. Please think of the businesses in Brandon as you move forward.

2/15/17 1

I-90 Exit 406 Public Meeting and Stakeholder Meeting Notes

Stakeholder Meeting #2: 1/23/17

HR Green meeting notes

Notes Format:

Question or comment – response (when applicable, summarized)

1:00 pm -Stakeholder Meeting

Overview of Project

Introductions

Presentation of Interchange Alternatives

CHS – questions on ROW acquisition and what was needed. – clarification provided

Tom Howes – access for gas station? – clarification provided

CHS – concern with roundabouts for semis and long trailers

Jon Brown – feels a DDI would lend itself well to the traffic patterns at this interchange, high NB

to WB movement and EB to SB movement

Nick Fosheim – different costs for the alternatives? – no significant differences in costs; some of

the original concepts exhibited a significant difference, but since all four alternatives are

standard diamond they exhibit similar costs

o Is there an alternate that is better for growth? – all exhibit ample capacity for additional

growth beyond traffic volumes developed for this project

CHS – what is the total cost? – $16-18M depending on alternative

Presentation of Corridor Alternatives South of I-90

Presentation of Backage Road Sub-Alternatives

Open to Questions on Interchanges and Corridor Alternatives South of I-90

Tailgators – can you put a frontage road in? - required separation between SD 11 and Ash

Street/Frontage Rd intersection is prohibitive (space and cost)

o Can you add another lane to Splitrock? – this could be investigated further, but concern

with reintroducing the existing weave movement that has exhibited safety issues

Study team posed question on U-turns and the 4-Lane Divided Corridor Alternative

o Tom Howes – concern for businesses on the east side

o Can you add a signal at Ash Street? – Ash Street proximity to interchange is issue

2/15/17 2

o Can you add a signal to the gas station/McDonald’s drive? – This location still does not

meet minimum signal spacing for SD 11. Noted that this is a private driveway and other

public ROW intersections have same issues.

o Are you putting more traffic onto side streets and causing out of the way travel?

o Can you link the signals between Ash Street and the interchange?

o Police Dept. (Doug) – How does distance Ash to Bridge compare to 10th and I-229? -

They are 100’ further on 10th Street

o Jon Brown – how close is the interchange to signal at Redwood Blvd – approx. ¼ mile

o Tailgators – can you add another roundabout?

o CHS – Chris/Chuck – car traffic; u-turn is ok; truck traffic not so much

Presentation of Corridor Alternatives North of I-90

North side of I-90 improvements, possible shared use path

o CHS – could you put the shared use path on east side to eliminate conflict with their

trucks? – as shown, it is noted only as an ‘option’ and that there is consideration to the

challenges associated with accommodations on the existing shoulders, east side has

terrain issues

Presentation of Hemlock Boulevard Intersection Improvements

Goal at Hemlock is how to improve things for Marmen trucks leaving the facility

Police Dept. (Doug) – is it an issue having the pilot cars? – the plan is to try and reduce the need

for pilot cars stopping traffic

Misc. Questions/Discussion and Wrap-up

Jon Brown – how do you evaluate comments? – plan is to present to the SAT for review – maybe

some supplemental analysis is needed

CHS – which options allow traffic over I-90? – all interchanges allow for maintenance of traffic

across I-90, whether it is use of existing bridge or a temporary bridge is the difference

Nick Fosheim – what is the timeline, 2 years? – 2 years is anticipated for interchange

construction.

o How about corridor improvements? – may or may not happen with the interchange

Meeting Concludes

2/15/17 3

3:30 pm -Stakeholder Meeting

Overview of Project

Introductions

Presentation of Interchange Alternatives

Roundabout – constraints to trucks – room to turn or does it slow down or back up traffic?

CM – low boy making left-turn? – acknowledged this could create challenges

Does a roundabout increase safety?

o Yes and no – generally yes. Roundabouts reduce the severity (vehicle conflicts and speed

w/in roundabout compared to traditional intersection), but don’t always reduce the

number of accidents

Is there a DDI in SD? – currently no. Rapid City will be constructing one and another is in study at

I-29 and 41st Street interchange

Question about eastbound traffic turning to north and how that would be accommodated in DDI

Presentation of Corridor Alternatives South of I-90

Presentation of Backage Road Sub-Alternatives

4-lane divided alternative – question regarding if the intent is to increase safety? – yes, to

eliminate right angle crashes that have propensity to be more severe

SB left-turn lane into McDonalds? – storage constraints since turn-lanes provided at Ash Street

and Birch Street

Ash Street comments

o People will turn on Ash and go through the gas station and this will cause problems

o In gas station businesses need to get people back to where they came from

o Why not put a signal at Ash?

Discussion regarding expected operations (and interchange operations),

spacing, roadway access/signal guidelines

o Traffic concerns at Ash Street with signal and traffic queueing back into the interchange

Discussion regarding traffic impacts at Birch or Redwood due to closures

o Noted ample capacity at Redwood Blvd

o May start to see some delay impacts at Birch

Comment about possible frontage road for Tailgators and hotel – required between the SD 11

and frontage road intersections along Ash Street make a frontage road cost-prohibitive.

Noted that control of access requirements change if free EB to SB right not provided.

Presentation of Corridor Alternatives North of I-90

Presentation of Hemlock Boulevard Intersection Improvements

2/15/17 4

In response to a couple questions, stated that the conflict warning system would try to

differentiate between vehicles and only be activated for the large trucks. If activated for all

vehicles, it would be continuously flashing during certain periods of the day.

Signal control would stop traffic on highway 11

Marmen – could business have a GPS system connection that could activate when the trucks get

close?

o Can be investigated, but can also get into privacy and applicability across each large

vehicle issues

Marmen – truck issue is that they need to raise the trailer – do not drag on the road due to cross

slope if road/turn was smooth all the way around they could keep moving and not slow down

Meeting Concludes

I-90 Exit 406 Interchange Modification Study and Environmental Assessment Public Involvement #2 Summary Meeting Date: January 23, 2017

February 16, 2017

Display Boards January 23, 2017

Displayed at Stakeholder and Public Meetings