HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-01-13 BRAA Ltr to OPH Re Concept Plan ReviewJA Bonestroo
Rosene
Anderlik &
Associates
En & Architects
West Hi 36 ■ St. Paul, MN 55113
Office: 651-636-4600 * Fax: 651-636-1311
www.bonestroo.com 01 re
i /SO4
Januar 13, 2005
Mr. Eric Johnson
`ama-ii-strator
Cit A
Cit of Oak Park Hei
14168 Oak Park Blvd., P.O. Box 2007
Oak Park Hei MN 55082-2007
Re: 'oval -Mart Expansion
Concept Plan Review
BRA File No. 55-04-000
Dear Eric:
Our traffic en has reviewed the entrances for the Wal-Mart Expansion project. As
noted on the attached memo it is recommended that a traffic impact anal is performed
for this project. I believe McCombs Frank Roo and Associates are performin this task.
Once we receive a cop of the anal we can make recommendations on the number of
proposed turn lanes and locations for access.
If y ou have an q uestions or re additional information, please contact me at (651)
604-4788.
Sincerel ,
BONESTRO0 ROSENE, ANDERLIK & ASSOCIATES, INC.
Karen S. Erickson, P.E.
CC*# Tom Ozzello, Public Works Director
Jim Butler, Buildin Official
Scott Richards, Cit Planner
Mark Vierlin Cit Attorne
Kath Widin, Cit Arborist
Erik W. Miller- McCombs Frank Roos & Associates
DMP, DDH, File — Bonestroo & Associates
K:\55\5504000\Work_'4n'-�TYDPcBUJ m Milwaukee, W1 m Chica IL
Affirmative Action/E Opportunit Emplo and Emplo Owned
Bonestroo
® Rosene
Memo Anderlik &
Associates
Engineers & Architects
Project Name: WalMart Expansion Client. City of oak Park Heights
To: KSE File Noe 55 -gen
From • SJJ Date: 1-13-05
Re: Access points for WalMart
There are a lot of unknowns with this project --- with regard to traffic impacts. This expansion will more than double
the size of the existing Wal -Mart. That will increase the volume of traffic on Norell and at the project access points.
We do not know the volumes that are out there today (weekday peaks and Saturday peaks) with regard to Norell, site
access and adjacent intersections.
Given that the facility will more than double, I would recommend that a traffic impact analysis be conducted for this
expansion project. The analysis will help to determine the volumes at the access drives today and projected into the
future. A "new" TH 36 has to be taken into account and the projected volumes on Norell may be obtained from that
facilities' many studies. A project of this magnitude will normally suggest left and right turn lanes (along Norell) at
each access drive. All we have is a southbound LTL at the northerly access drive. The LTL storage is projected to be
decreased to about 90 feet with the moving of the access to accommodate the fuel service area that is proposed.
Generally I would say that such a storage length is not something we could recommend. That could create a queue
of LTL vehicles that would extend into the southbound thru lanes during peak periods. However, numbers are needed
to determine that (thus the traffic impact study).
Looking at the site plan, it would seem that the northerly access could be moved slightly southerly from its existing
location. This would improve the LTL storage but would cause some redesign of the fuel area and the parking are on
the north side of the Iota
The need for exclusive right turn lanes should also be evaluated along Norell at both site access drives.
The southerly access should be for trucks only — this is consistent with the truck only access on the opposite side of
Norell. This would require some redesign of the parking area on the west side of the building. The access drive is
only 200 feet from the Norell158 intersection and we would not want to have more than trucks using that access.
The project is a good one and will be of benefit to the City. We will work with them to ensure that the most effective
access system can be provided. The traffic impact study I referred to earlier is a very important component of this
project application and needs to be done.....
Shelly
Shefifon I Johnson
651604-4839
Sjohn son@ bonestroo. com
Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik and Associates, Inc.
2335 West Highway 36 + St. Paul, MN 55113 + Phone: 651 - 636 -4600 + Fax: 651-636-1311