Normandale Boulevard and 98th Street Intersection - Safety Improvement Project

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Consultation has concluded

This project is complete.  The following three pictures are of the intersection








Project Background

The City of Bloomington in partnership with Hennepin County is proposing safety improvements at the intersection of Normandale Boulevard (CSAH 34) and 98th Street. To improve safety in the intersection, the project is proposing to remove channelized right turn lanes, upgrade pedestrian facilities and implement signal improvements.  The Bloomington City Council authorized the Engineering Division to complete a feasibility report for the project at the April 19, 2021 City Council Meeting. 

Existing Conditions

The intersection of Normandale Boulevard and 98th Street includes dedicated turn lanes on each approach, channelized right turn islands and a signalized intersection. Normandale Boulevard is a four-lane divided urban roadway that serves approximately 25,500 vehicles per day and has a posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour (MPH). 98th Street is a four-lane divided urban roadway that serves 11,100 vehicles per day and includes a posted speed limit of 40 miles per hour (MPH). There have been numerous crashes reported at this intersection.

The intersection of 98th Street and Normandale Boulevard (CSAH 34) is identified as a “Prioritized Urban Intersection” by Hennepin County’s Roadway Safety Plan because of the high frequency of crashes and challenging sight lines due to the presence of channelized right turn lanes at the intersection. In a span of time between 2013-2015 there were a total of 29 crashes reported at the intersection. : Almost 90% of those crashes were reported to be rear end crashes. One crash resulted in a fatality. The crash report is located under the documents section of this page.

In addition, the intersection currently has pedestrian/bicycle facilities that are not in American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and will be required to be brought into compliance.




Proposed Conditions

The proposed safety improvement project will improve sight lines around the intersection with the elimination of all channelized right turn islands in the intersection while also providing traffic calming. Medians will be modified to allow for pedestrian refuge as pedestrians cross the intersection, along with an upgrade to the existing pedestrian/bicycle facilities in the area. Upgrades to the existing pedestrian facilities in the intersection will include upgrading the existing pedestrian ramps to ADA compliance along with the addition of Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) in all quadrants of the intersection. In addition, the existing concrete sidewalks and asphalt paths within the limits of construction around the intersection will also be upgraded to ADA compliance and current width standards.

The project will also include the replacement of the existing signal system, which also may include the installation of traffic signal confirmation lights to aid law enforcement in identifying vehicles that run red lights along with flashing yellow left turn arrows.

Questions about the validity of a roundabout have been brought up related to this intersection. Due to the high traffic volumes along Normandale Boulevard, a multilane roundabout would have been needed to remove the traffic signal at this location. Generally speaking, roundabouts also work best when traffic volumes are approximately equal amongst all approaches. The traffic volumes on Normandale Boulevard are significantly higher than 98th Street which would lead to significant delays on the two 98th Street approaches of the intersection. Given the above constraints, and the scope of this project a roundabout was never explored as a viable alternative.

Funding

Hennepin County (with the support of the City of Bloomington) applied for and received a competitive Federal Aid Highway Safety Improvement (HSIP) grant in 2019. The project will be funded with a combination of Federal Aid, Hennepin County, State Aid and City funds. Property assessments are not included as part of the funding for this project.

The current estimated construction cost for the project is approximately $2,120,000 with the following breakdown of funding:

Federal HSIP Grant: $1,170,000

Hennepin County (County State Aid funds): $900,000

City of Bloomington (State Aid funds): $50,000

 

Next Steps

  • October 12, 2021 (5:30-6:30pm) - Open House at Tarnhill Park, 9750 Little Rd (in the event of inclement weather, will be held at the Bloomington Public Works Building)
  • October 25, 2021 (Council meeting starts at 6:00pm) – Public Hearing at Bloomington City Council
  • Complete design and environmental documentation process (Winter 2021/2022)
  • Construction (Summer through Fall 2022)

This project is complete.  The following three pictures are of the intersection








Project Background

The City of Bloomington in partnership with Hennepin County is proposing safety improvements at the intersection of Normandale Boulevard (CSAH 34) and 98th Street. To improve safety in the intersection, the project is proposing to remove channelized right turn lanes, upgrade pedestrian facilities and implement signal improvements.  The Bloomington City Council authorized the Engineering Division to complete a feasibility report for the project at the April 19, 2021 City Council Meeting. 

Existing Conditions

The intersection of Normandale Boulevard and 98th Street includes dedicated turn lanes on each approach, channelized right turn islands and a signalized intersection. Normandale Boulevard is a four-lane divided urban roadway that serves approximately 25,500 vehicles per day and has a posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour (MPH). 98th Street is a four-lane divided urban roadway that serves 11,100 vehicles per day and includes a posted speed limit of 40 miles per hour (MPH). There have been numerous crashes reported at this intersection.

The intersection of 98th Street and Normandale Boulevard (CSAH 34) is identified as a “Prioritized Urban Intersection” by Hennepin County’s Roadway Safety Plan because of the high frequency of crashes and challenging sight lines due to the presence of channelized right turn lanes at the intersection. In a span of time between 2013-2015 there were a total of 29 crashes reported at the intersection. : Almost 90% of those crashes were reported to be rear end crashes. One crash resulted in a fatality. The crash report is located under the documents section of this page.

In addition, the intersection currently has pedestrian/bicycle facilities that are not in American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and will be required to be brought into compliance.




Proposed Conditions

The proposed safety improvement project will improve sight lines around the intersection with the elimination of all channelized right turn islands in the intersection while also providing traffic calming. Medians will be modified to allow for pedestrian refuge as pedestrians cross the intersection, along with an upgrade to the existing pedestrian/bicycle facilities in the area. Upgrades to the existing pedestrian facilities in the intersection will include upgrading the existing pedestrian ramps to ADA compliance along with the addition of Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) in all quadrants of the intersection. In addition, the existing concrete sidewalks and asphalt paths within the limits of construction around the intersection will also be upgraded to ADA compliance and current width standards.

The project will also include the replacement of the existing signal system, which also may include the installation of traffic signal confirmation lights to aid law enforcement in identifying vehicles that run red lights along with flashing yellow left turn arrows.

Questions about the validity of a roundabout have been brought up related to this intersection. Due to the high traffic volumes along Normandale Boulevard, a multilane roundabout would have been needed to remove the traffic signal at this location. Generally speaking, roundabouts also work best when traffic volumes are approximately equal amongst all approaches. The traffic volumes on Normandale Boulevard are significantly higher than 98th Street which would lead to significant delays on the two 98th Street approaches of the intersection. Given the above constraints, and the scope of this project a roundabout was never explored as a viable alternative.

Funding

Hennepin County (with the support of the City of Bloomington) applied for and received a competitive Federal Aid Highway Safety Improvement (HSIP) grant in 2019. The project will be funded with a combination of Federal Aid, Hennepin County, State Aid and City funds. Property assessments are not included as part of the funding for this project.

The current estimated construction cost for the project is approximately $2,120,000 with the following breakdown of funding:

Federal HSIP Grant: $1,170,000

Hennepin County (County State Aid funds): $900,000

City of Bloomington (State Aid funds): $50,000

 

Next Steps

  • October 12, 2021 (5:30-6:30pm) - Open House at Tarnhill Park, 9750 Little Rd (in the event of inclement weather, will be held at the Bloomington Public Works Building)
  • October 25, 2021 (Council meeting starts at 6:00pm) – Public Hearing at Bloomington City Council
  • Complete design and environmental documentation process (Winter 2021/2022)
  • Construction (Summer through Fall 2022)