Administration - Dan Schluender, City Engineer
Title
Title
Resolution of Support to MnDOT for Proposed 2023 Corridors of Commerce Program
end
Executive Summary
The City of Blaine will be submitting application for the 2023 Corridors of Commerce program. These requests require the local agency to provide a resolution of support of the project.
Background
The 2013 Minnesota Legislature created the Corridors of Commerce program, authorizing the sale of trunk highway bonds for construction, reconstruction and improvement of trunk highways for projects not already in the State Transportation Improvement Program. This was to further two major goals of providing additional highway capacity on segments where there are currently bottlenecks in the system and improvement the movement of freight by reducing barriers to commerce.
In 2021, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) selected $200 million of projects for the 2023 Corridors of Commerce Program. MNDOT solicited the public for project recommendations to be considered. One project was submitted for consideration for TH 65 area from south of 105th Avenue to north of 117th Avenue. Improvements for 99th Avenue will be omitted from this application as this project is already received funding in the STIP and is not eligible for the Corridor of Commerce program.
MNDOT has asked the City to provide a resolution of support for the public’s recommended project(s) in Blaine that will be used in the scoring process during project selection. This approval does not bind the City to a specific project, but shows the City acknowledges that future improvement projects should be considered for TH 65 area from south of 105th Avenue to north of 117th Avenue.
Strategic Plan Relationship
This action relates directly to two priorities in the City of Blaine Strategic Plan:
Item 5 - TH 65 Improvements
• Project Funding Alignment
Item 6 - Well Maintained Infrastructure
• High Quality Streets Surfaces
Board/Commission Review
Not required.
Financial Impact
The entire cost of construction of the improvements on TH65 from south of 105th Avenue to north of 117th Avenue is estimated at $75M. Therefore, it is critical to obtain funding from multitudes of sources.
Public Outreach/Input
The overall project has been the focus of a major public outreach throughout its initial Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study. As the project continues through the design phases, additional outreach will be part of the process.
Staff Recommendation
By motion, approve the Resolution supporting the city’s application for 2023 Corridors of Commerce.
Attachment List
None
Body
WHEREAS, the 2013 Minnesota Legislature created the Corridors of Commerce program and authorized the sale of trunk highway bonds for construction, reconstruction and improvement of trunk highways for projects not already in the State Transportation Improvement Program; and
WHEREAS, in 2021, the MNDOT decided to select $200 million of projects for the 2023 Corridors of Commerce Program and solicited the public for project recommendations to be considered; and
WHEREAS, the public recommended TH 65 area from south of 105th Avenue to north of 117th Avenue for consideration and MNDOT has asked the City of Blaine for a Resolution of support for consideration of the proposed projects.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Blaine as follows:
That the City of Blaine supports MNDOT’s consideration of the following publicly recommended projects:
• Interchange on TH 65 at 105th Avenue.
• Interchange on TH65 at 109th Avenue.
• Interchange on TH 65 at 117th Avenue.
• South of 105th Avenue to north of 117th Avenue - convert to a freeway design with interchange accesses.
Passed by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 21st day of November 2022.