PLANS, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES: BIG RIVER CROSSING ISSUES IN A SMALL COMMUNITY

Abstract

As transportation elements of this country continue to evolve, issues that may have seemed foregone to a prior generation have crystallized into topics requiring substantive review. Witness, for example, the resurgence of both freight railroad and non-motorized traffic concerns. This trend is particularly noticeable in smaller metropolitan areas. The challenge for today's transportation professionals is to systematically identify and incorporate these broad issues into a meaningful project-specific context. This paper addresses cross-cutting topics associated with the replacement of a regional Mississippi River crossing along the Great River Road. The breadth and depth of issues define the ease with which transportation problems can be solved. In the St. Cloud, Minnesota, metropolitan area, the Sauk Rapids bridge replacement has generated a myriad of these issues. When applied to a river crossing replacement of metropolitan significance, broad-based representation from the community (defined as residents, business owners, elected officials, and transportation professionals) is essential. Engaging and educating this cohort has ultimately fostered consent in the selection of the preferred replacement alternative. Since the structural condition of the existing bridge warrants replacement, consideration of alternatives has commenced. The presence of a railroad mainline on one of the existing bridge approaches broadened the scope of potential replacements to encompass grade-separation. The practicality of applying computer tools such as MicroBENCOST, TRAF-NETSIM, and TransPlan to monetize the use benefits associated with eliminating the current at-grade crossing is evaluated. This paper also discusses the paradigm shift among area planners regarding alternative transportation modes. The existing structure is two lanes wide, with little accommodation for non-motorized transportation. On the replacement, however, these other modes will be encouraged through the provision of enhanced bicycle and pedestrian capacity. The paper summarizes the qualitative and quantitative attributes of the alternatives and reports on the outcome of the engineering feasibility study and environmental assessment.