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Lake Elmo council approves amended comments on Washington County five-year CIP, urges preservation of Keats turn lane and utility sleeve
Summary
The Lake Elmo City Council approved an amended comment letter to Washington County's draft Capital Improvement Plan, urging earlier pedestrian and intersection work tied to a new elementary school, retention of the eastbound Trunk Highway 36 to southbound Keats right-turn lane, and consideration of an under-rail utility sleeve for future sewer extension.
Lake Elmo, Minn.
The Lake Elmo City Council approved an amended comment letter to Washington County on its draft five-year Capital Improvement Plan, asking the county to consider reprioritizing projects that affect new school access and to preserve local access and utility options on state and county corridors.
The amended letter, authorized for submission before the county deadline, asks the county and state to retain the eastbound Trunk Highway 36 to southbound Keats right-turn lane rather than removing it, and requests that a pipe sleeve be placed beneath the Union Pacific railroad crossing where practicable so a future sewer line could be installed without repeated railroad negotiations.
Jack (city staff) walked the council through the county'prepared CIP and the draft response letter, describing the document as "a very it's a like a 600 page document" and highlighting the Road 17/Trunk Highway 36 intersection and South Frontage Road as the city's largest near-term projects. He told the council the Trunk Highway 36 project is "back on track to be constructed over the next 2 years in 2026 and 2027," while other projects, including several intersection improvements and corridor planning efforts, are scheduled across the 5- to 10-year horizon.
Council members pressed county-level timing for improvements near a new elementary school, arguing pedestrian safety concerns could warrant earlier action. Councilmember Craigness asked whether the Casa 10/Casa 17 roundabout and pedestrian connections could be moved up to sync with the school's opening; Jack said temporary signal measures are planned for school opening and that construction timing is influenced by planning and financial sequencing.
The mayor (unnamed) formally proposed adding language to the comment letter to request the Keats turn lane be retained. "I'm requesting that the state leave the exit off of 36 to Keats southbound," the mayor said, calling attention to neighborhood access and circulation concerns. The council also asked staff to add context about possible development near the former school site and to make the county aware of the district's timeline.
On cost, Jack explained Washington County uses a formula for cost participation; city shares often reflect right-of-way, stormwater and utility relocation needs. For the Trunk Highway 36 project, he said the city's cost participation estimate could be in the range of "$4.5 to $5,000,000," with the state and county contributing significant funds.
Council approved the amended comment letter by voice vote and directed staff to transmit it within the county's comment period. The council expects Washington County staff to attend a workshop the following week to provide updates on the largest projects and next steps.
