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Open houses held last week to distribute preliminary details about a redesign for Highway 8, between Forest Lake and Chisago City, were well-attended. The events at Lord of Lakes Church attracted property owners, elected officials and many staff from affected communities.

The Minnesota Dept. of Transportation has a dual-track analysis on future improvements to the stretch of the highway from Karmel Avenue in Chisago City to the west. General public review of design options is taking place now, as consultants are also analyzing preliminary environmental impacts these options might have.

The "preferred alternative" for a future highway layout should be selected by fall 2009.

The MnDOT analysts and URS, a consulting engineering firm, have been working with a technical committee consisting of Chisago City and Wyoming city staff members and others on options for the highway. Some designs shift the highway (westbound) to the north, with the eastbound corridor on existing right of way.

Options presented at the open houses are four-lane based.

One option shifts the whole highway to the north between Pioneer Trail and 270th and the existing road would become frontage for access between these points.

Plans that people viewed and commented on at the open houses all began with lanes expanded at Goodview Circle (which is just west of Koppy Motors and McCarron's lumber facility) on Highway 8 outside Forest Lake. Goodview's direct access would be closed-off in the options shown.

Heading east from this point, the next major intersection to be developed would be at Hazel Ave. The homesite alongside Sigstad's Carpet would be eliminated and a south frontage road intersection installed. Hazel Ave. would become an improved intersection, with turn lanes, etc. Driveways to private homes west of Hazel would be closed and a back road developed for those parcels.

The next major intersection would be at 250th, just west of the Comfort Lakes channel.

Bridge replacement over the water is proposed but details (how wide, etc.) would be developed at a later date. (There were comments submitted to MnDOT and URS to the effect that this channel should be made navigable and connect Big and Little Comfort Lakes.)

Continuing easterly the next new major intersection (turn lanes, etc) proposed is at James Ave.

Various options show how access points would be closed to improve safety-- and frontage roads could be configured to connect neighborhoods to the Green Lake side of Hwy. 8. One design depicts Jenifer Court no longer a dead end, but punched through as access to the next house grouping to the east.

Another option depicts a new frontage road from near the golf driving range, heading east to 273rd, which is proposed to be the next major intersection (turn lanes, etc.)

A design option shows that 270th access would close and 276th would also not have direct access to the highway.

The four-lane highway could see a raised solid center median or green grass median. The final design would be based on preferences expressed by the public and engineering analysis.

At Sven's (shoes and gifts) in Chisago City, there'd be a turn lane added and other safety measures to enhance safety; and/or a north side frontage road is proposed from (Sven's) Deer Garden Lane connecting to Chisago City's Karmel Ave.

The three projects being analyzed halt at Karmel. Three options only encompass projects along the highway route from near Forest Lake to Pioneer (near golf driving range.)

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