Douglas Drive Corridor Project
A stretch of Douglas Dr from Golden Valley Rd to the northern City limits is being resurfaced and re-striped this summer, bringing it from four lanes to two lanes with a center turn lane.
This summer’s project will reduce turning conflicts and provide space for bike users off the sidewalks and out of traffic lanes. These issues were also identified in the City’s Douglas Dr Corridor study.
To accommodate these lane reconfigurations and some intersection improvements, Hennepin County will place an asphalt overlay on Douglas Dr from St Croix Ave north to 51st Place in Crystal. The City of Golden Valley will sealcoat Douglas Dr between Golden Valley Rd and St Croix Ave.
Except for some potential intersection improvements, the interim project will be constructed within the current footprint of the roadway.
By the end of the summer, after the improvements are constructed, the County plans a speed study along the corridor to determine if the proposed speed limit of 35 mph can be maintained.
Watch a Channel 12 story on the Douglas Drive Corridor Project »
Future construction
To continue addressing the suggestions identified in the Douglas Drive Corridor Study to improve driver and pedestrian safety as well as traffic efficiency, the City is partnering with Hennepin County to plan a 2016 reconstruction project that would add turn lanes, allow for shoulders and bike lanes, improve sidewalks, install street lights, and place existing above-ground utilities underground.
The project has an estimated cost of about $20 million, with Golden Valley responsible for roughly $9.5 million. Hennepin County will pay for about $10 million of the roadway work, design, and right-of-way acquisition. Preliminary project design has begun with aid from a federal grant awarded by Transit for Livable Communities (TLC). The $1 million-plus grant will provide money for preliminary engineering and some early acquisitions of right-of-way.
Douglas Drive Franchise Fee Public Hearing
7 pm, September 21, 2010
Project Funding
Golden Valley is considering paying for its share of the cost with Xcel Energy franchise fees. For residents and small commercial properties with non-demand services, the monthly fee would be $2. The fee would be $22.50 for small commercial properties with demand services. Large commercial properties would pay a $206 monthly flat fee. The City Council will take public comment on the proposed franchise fee at its Aug 17 and Sept 21 meetings. If the Council votes to approve the fee, it will go in to effect in late 2010 or early 2011.
Because of levy limits on property taxes, funding this project through utility franchise fees is the most feasible payment option. If the Council does not approve the franchise fee, the City would need to secure another funding source to pay for its local share. Given the scope of the reconstruction, the costs cannot be financed through reserve funds. Council is considering adopting a franchise fee and dedicating the proceeds to capital projects.
This Xcel Energy franchise fee will not affect bills from CenterPoint Energy, Comcast, Qwest, or any other utility company. The costs of the reconstruction may fluctuate due to inflation and other variables over the years. The franchise fees will remain in effect until all costs can be repaid.
Some other cities using franchise fees to cover project costs include Brooklyn Center, Hopkins, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Monticello, New Hope, Robbinsdale, and St Louis Park.
For more information about the Douglas Dr project or proposed franchise fees, call Public Works at 763-593-8030.
Questions?
If you have questions about this project, call Golden Valley’s Ron Nims at 763-593-8032 (sealcoating), Hennepin County’s Chris Sagsveen at 612-596-0279 (overlay), or Golden Valley’s Joe Hogeboom at 763-593-8099 (Douglas Dr Corridor Study).
