TRANSPORTATION
Introduction
The transportation system has placed a key role in the pace and location of development in the City. The most significant element of Little Canada’s transportation system is the existence of a number of State and County arterial roadways. The basic function of Little Canada’s roadway system is to support the metropolitan highway system. As such, the majority of streets in the City function as urban collectors or minor or principal arterials. Supportive to this framework is the network of local streets. Ultimately, it is these local streets that will have to be designed and improved to handle Little Canada’s growth and redevelopment.
Existing Transportation System
Roadways
Roadways are classified on the basis of which level of government owns and has jurisdiction over them. In Little Canada, roadways are under the jurisdiction of MnDOT, Ramsey County or the City. The City collaborates with the County and with MnDOT on road improvements and follows access management guidelines as recommended by MnDOT.
The functional classification system used in the City of Little Canada conforms to the Metropolitan Council standards. The primary classifications and brief definitions are as follows:
• Principal arterials – freeways and some expressways • ‘A’ Minor arterials – eligible to compete for federal funding, regionally important highways, emphasis on mobility as opposed to access. These are further broken down into four sub-categories: Reliever: provide relief for interstate highways Augmenter: supplement areas that don’t have interstate highways Expander: connections between developing areas Connector: connections between rural towns • ‘B’ Minor Arterials – not eligible for federal funding. Connects major traffic generators with emphasis on mobility as opposed to access • Collectors – provides connections between neighborhoods and from neighborhoods to minor business concentrations • Local streets
The functional classification system is a roadway network that distributes traffic from neighborhood streets to collector streets, then to arterials and ultimately the metropolitan highway system. Roads are placed into categories based on the degree to which they provide access to adjacent land. Functional classification is a traditional cornerstone of transportation planning. Within this approach, roads are located and designed to perform their designated function. The Functional Roadway Classification Map shows the existing functional classification of roadways in Little Canada.
City of Little Canada – 2030 Comprehensive Plan Page 47 TRANSPORTATION
The City contains two principal arterial roadways, Interstate 35E, which bi-sects the City, and Interstate 694, which runs along the City’s northern border. Along the southern border is State Highway 36, which is classified as a minor arterial. There are four other minor arterials in the City: Edgerton/County Road 58, which runs north-south; County Road C, which runs east-west from Rice Street to I-35E; Rice Street/County Road 49 which runs along the City’s western border; and Centerville Road which extends north from Little Canada Road to Edgerton where it turns into County Road D. These arterial roadways all tie into the regional highway system and are maintained by either the County or the State.
The City has been actively involved with Ramsey County, MnDOT, and adjoining communities in addressing upgrades to Rice Street, including the roadway itself, intersections along the roadway, and the interchanges at both I-694 and Trunk Highway 36. This committee has provided a forum for ensuring that future development along the corridor will be served with appropriate transportation capacity and access, as well as planning for future improvements consistent with access management principles.
Average Daily Traffic Counts
The following table and map depict average daily traffic counts for roads located within Little Canada. Traffic counts are collected annually by the MN Department of Transportation.
City of Little Canada – 2030 Comprehensive Plan Page 48 Roadway Functional Classification
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Functional Classification A Minor Augmentor A Minor Connector Little Canada A Minor Expander A Minor Reliever 2030 Comprehensive Plan Sources: B Minor Northwest Associated Consultants, Inc. Ramsey County, City of Little Canada Major Collector o Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Minor Collector 0 1,600 3,200 4,800 Principal Arterial Feet Local Streets Rail Road Average Annual Traffic Counts
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2006 Average Annual Traffic Counts by Little Canada Minnesota Dept. of Transportation 2030 Comprehensive Plan Sources: Northwest Associated Consultants, Inc. Ramsey County, City of Little Canada o Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 0 1,600 3,200 4,800 Feet TRANSPORTATION
AVERAGE ANNUAL DAILY TRAFFIC COUNTS % Change Location 2001 2003 2005 2007 2001-2007 Hwy 36 @ 35E (EB) 79,000 82,000 83,000 82,000 3.8% Hwy 36 @ 35E (WB) 64,000 67,000 69,000 67,000 4.7% 35E South of Little Canada Rd 115,000 119,000 120,000 119,000 3.5% 35E North of Little Canada Rd 110,000 112,000 116,000 115,000 4.5% I-694 East of 35E/10 ----- 120,000 ------I-694 West of 35E/10 105,000 103,000 103,000 100,000 -4.8% Rice St. South of Little Canada Rd 23,000 23,000 20,200 20,100 -12.6% Rice St. North of Little Canada Rd 16,000 16,000 15,500 15,000 -6.3% Source: MnDOT
The majority of major roadways in Little Canada experienced an increase in average daily traffic volumes from 2001 to 2007. The highest traffic generator in the City is Interstate 35E, as it is a major regional north-south route through the Twin Cities.
Transportation Analysis Zones
Metro Area communities are required to include Metropolitan Council derived population and employment forecasts by Transportation Analysis Zone (TAZ) in the transportation plan section of their comprehensive plan. The following table showing the proposed population, household and employment numbers for each TAZ. A map showing these TAZ boundaries is shown on the following page.
ALLOCATION OF FORECASTS TO TRAFFIC ANALYSIS ZONES (TAZ) 2000 2010 2020 2030 TAZ Pop HH Emp Pop HH Emp Pop HH Emp Pop HH Emp 941 2 1 476 2 1 400 2 1 400 2 1 450 942 26 8 0 15 8 0 15 8 0 15 8 0 943 388 135 0 400 135 0 400 135 0 400 135 0 944 3,622 1,328 952 3,358 1,220 910 3,340 1,145 1,030 3,203 1,065 1,050 975 2,624 1,456 1,039 2,865 1,590 1,170 3,008 1,670 1,250 3,200 1,780 1,325 976 641 231 238 830 300 250 1,075 389 260 1,350 489 270 977 2,332 1,164 3,255 2,590 1,294 3,670 2,820 1,410 3,960 2,980 1,490 4,205 978 136 52 0 140 52 0 140 52 0 150 52 0 Total 9,771 4,375 5,960 10,200 4,600 6,400 10,800 4,810 6,900 11,300 5,020 7,300 Pop = Population forecasts HH = Households forecasts Emp. = Employment forecasts
City of Little Canada – 2030 Comprehensive Plan Page 51 Transportation Analysis Zones
1012 1010 Lake Wabasso 978 Lake Vadnais 997 996 Willow Lake
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Little Canada 2030 Comprehensive Plan Sources: Northwest Associated Consultants, Inc. Ramsey County, City of Little Canada o Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 0 1,750 3,500 5,250 Feet TRANSPORTATION
Planned Improvements
Little Canada contains three major regional thoroughfares, Interstate 694, Interstate 35E and Highway 36. As stated in the Metropolitan Council’s Transportation Policy Plan, all three of those regional roadways are slated for expansion and/or other improvements.
The regional transportation system within Little Canada is under the jurisdiction of MnDOT and Ramsey County. These jurisdictions control the function, design, maintenance and improvement of these roadways. Many of the City’s transportation issues relate to the regional transportation system, including issues such as interstate highway access, signalization, road design, speed, access management and congestion. When the need arises, or when opportunities exist, the City works with the appropriate agencies to resolve these issues.
Following is a list of planned transportation improvements within or adjacent to the City of Little Canada that will benefit area residents and will be carried out by MnDOT or Ramsey County as funding is secured.
• I-694 Expansion from 35E to 35W: expansion of I-694 to a six-lane freeway section, construction of auxiliary lanes, and interchange improvements at the Rice Street interchange.
• Rice Street/I-694 Interchange Reconstruction: While this project has been identified with the I-694 expansion project, it may be constructed in advance of improvements to the rest of I-694 as Ramsey County and Mn/DOT are currently coordinating efforts to accelerate improvements at this interchange.
• Rice Street/Trunk Highway 36 Interchange: Improvements to this interchange include a new bridge, improvements and widening to Rice Street approaching the bridge, and traffic management improvements around the interchange area. The City has recently completed a portion of the roadway improvement plans by re-routing Viking Drive to move its intersection to Minnesota Avenue, rather than directly to Rice Street.
City of Little Canada – 2030 Comprehensive Plan Page 53
Traffic Volume Projections T E S S 5
V O A 3
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Lake Wabasso I S IS T
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E 143 T Willow Lake 0 N 00 I Black Tern 694 ¦¨§ Twin Lake asso Lake 24000 Pond INTERSTATE 694 000 170 694 139 ¦¨§ COUNTY ROAD 4 AD D E
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Little Canada Metropolitan Council 2030 Forecasts 2030 Comprehensive Plan Sources: Northwest Associated Consultants, Inc. Ramsey County, City of Little Canada o Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 0 1,600 3,200 4,800 Feet TRANSPORTATION
Transit
The term transit applies to all forms of ridesharing. Transit services within the City of Little Canada are provided by regular-route bus service, ADA paratransit and park and ride facilities. Little Canada is within the Metropolitan Transit Taxing District Market Area III. Service options for Market Area III include peak-only express, small vehicle circulators, midday circulators, special needs paratransit (ADA, seniors) and ridesharing.
Buses
The Little Canada Transit Center, located near Little Canada Road Rice Street, connects four local routes serving the northern and western suburbs. Route 262 provides limited-stop service to Downtown St. Paul.
City of Little Canada – 2030 Comprehensive Plan Page 55 TRANSPORTATION
Paratransit
Paratransit provides ridesharing services to people who are disabled or who have a certain health condition that limits their driving ability. Eligibility is determined by using Federal guidelines established by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Northeast Diagonal Transit Corridor
Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority together with Hennepin County conducted a land use study for a potential transit corridor extending from White Bear Lake to Downtown Minneapolis. A map of the proposed transit corridor follows. The Metropolitan Council’s Transportation Policy Plan proposed for adoption in 2008 designates this corridor as one of 28 corridors needing further study in the next two years. The City of Little Canada is supportive of this proposed corridor and will cooperate with the other affected cities and agencies to identify opportunities and implement land use patterns that would be conducive to development of a transit corridor.
City of Little Canada – 2030 Comprehensive Plan Page 56 TRANSPORTATION
Aviation
There are no airports, proposed airport sites or other related facilities located in Little Canada. The City is generally served by the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) which is located about 13 miles southwest of Little Canada. Other airports in close proximity to the City are Downtown St. Paul Airport (Holman Field) and the South St. Paul Municipal Airport.
Any person or organization who intends to sponsor the construction or alteration of a structure affecting navigable airspace as defined in Federal Regulation Title 14; Part 77 needs to inform the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) of the project. This notification is accomplished through the completion and submittal to FAA of Form 7460. The City of Little Canada is not within the Influence Area of any of the airports identified above, and as such, is not subject to any associated land use restrictions.
Goals and Policies
Goals:
1. Reduce the need for transportation facilities by combining or concentrating related land use activities where feasible.
2. Provide a balanced transportation system giving attention to all modes and related activities.
3. Provide for sale, rapid and convenient movement by all modes of transportation.
4. Continued maintenance and improvement of local street system.
Policies:
1. Treat all modes of transportation and related facilities as one system to be coordinated and related on a comprehensive basis.
2. Plan transportation facilities to function in a manner compatible with adjacent land uses.
3. Design transportation facilities to conserve natural resources and other existing man- made facilities to minimize the need for on-going public investment.
4. Reduce dependency on automobile-oriented transportation by assigning higher priorities to the development of pedestrian/bicycle and transit facilities.
5. Minimize the need for transportation facilities through land use controls, notably zoning, which encourage the consolidation and concentration of related uses.
City of Little Canada – 2030 Comprehensive Plan Page 57 TRANSPORTATION
6. Prepare and annually update a Capital Improvement Program for transportation facilities.
7. Coordinate transportation planning and implementation with neighboring jurisdictions.
8. Ensure that the highway system complements and facilitates local movements provided by local streets, bicycle trails and pedestrian facilities.
9. Maintain a line of communication with metropolitan, county and state highway officials in order to ensure that planned improvements are consistent with the goals and objectives of the community.
10. Minimize and limit vehicular access onto all types of arterial roadways to ensure adequate distance between intersections and utilization of appropriate traffic control methods and devices.
11. Wherever possible, limit or prevent access to properties from major streets and parking on arterial streets.
12. Eliminate and prevent any on-street parking which conflicts with moving traffic or creates hazards.
13. Plan, design and develop all additional street system facilities according to the highest standards, giving due consideration to both land use and overall transportation goals and policies.
14. Encourage the construction of school and transit loading and unloading zones to ensure public safety and to eliminate bus stop hazards.
15. Establish proper access points to residential and commercial areas.
16. Encourage design of all local residential streets to prevent penetration by through traffic and properly direct traffic to collector or arterial streets.
17. Relate and phase street improvement to area land development in order to avoid interrupted or inadequate access.
18. Develop a plan and program of staged construction to provide curb and gutter throughout the developed portions of the community and provide for future proper maintenance of these facilities.
19. All new developments and subdivisions shall be required to install curb and gutter to assist in properly controlling stormwater runoff.
20. Require proper visibility, design and control of all intersections to promote safety.
21. Improve street safety through the appropriate use of street lighting and sign controls. City of Little Canada – 2030 Comprehensive Plan Page 58 TRANSPORTATION
22. Require proper signing and visibility at grade railroad crossings.
23. Where feasible and practical, include provisions for other transportation modes (bicycles, etc.) in street and highway improvement plans.
24. Design pedestrian and bicycle right-of-ways separated from motorized traffic along arterial streets. When physically and/or economically feasible, separate pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
25. When financially feasible, provide facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists in conjunction with street improvement projects.
26. Cooperate with the Metropolitan Council in efforts to create markets and introduce transit services in the City.
27. Where economically feasible, promote the addition of transit services and facilities to meet the basic transportation needs of persons who cannot or choose not travel by car.
28. Encourage the development of transit routes to multiple activity centers.
29. Limit the height of all structures in the City so as not to conflict with airspace utilization.
City of Little Canada – 2030 Comprehensive Plan Page 59