ADMINISTRATION - Jon Haukaas, Director of Public Works
Title
APPROVE JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT NO. C0008313 WITH ANOKA COUNTY FOR TRUNK HIGHWAY 65 DESIGN AND ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTATION, IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 21-01
Background
The City of Blaine, in cooperation with the Anoka County Highway Department (ACHD) and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT), intend to request a proposal for the complete preliminary and final design services for the construction of a grade-separated interchange at Minnesota Trunk Highway 65 and the City of Blaine’s 99th Ave NE (MSAS 101), the complete preliminary and final design services for the construction of a grade-separated interchange at Minnesota Trunk Highway 65 and CSAH 12 (109th Ave NE), and east and west side frontage road improvements consistent with the alternatives developed through the recently completed TH65 Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study. The proposed improvement will require an environmental documentation process to be completed under Federal NEPA rules.
The primary purpose of this project is to improve public safety and reduce traffic congestion on TH65 by improving operations at access points and improving frontage road connections. The proposed project will refine the alternatives developed through the recently completed TH65 Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study.
It is the goal of this Request For Proposal (RFP) to have a turn-key, complete and signed set of 100 percent detailed construction plans, specifications and bid package to allow construction of the 99th Avenue intersection, the 109th (CSAH12) intersection, and the associated frontage roads. As for the other areas of the corridor, without a project imminently moving forward, the contractor should expect a level of design at 30%. Information from the detailed plans will be used to finalize right of way acquisition, obtain municipal consent, finalize estimated construction costs, secure necessary permits, and create a specifications package for bid letting and construction select projects in the corridor.
Recommendation
By motion, approve the resolution.
Body
WHEREAS, the parties to this agreement agree it is in the best interest of the traveling public to improve traffic operations along Highway 65 by replacing and redesigning the existing intersections along Highway beginning at 99th Avenue and continuing through 117th Ave.\Cloud Drive, including access control at Highway 65 and 105th Avenue with backage and frontage roads connecting 99th Avenue and CSAH 12 (109th Avenue); and,
WHEREAS, the parties mutually agree that Highway 65 is a vital corridor for freight, transit, commuter traffic, as well as a critical connection to communities across Minnesota; and,
WHEREAS, Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) in cooperation with the City and County has recently been working on a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study along the Highway 65 corridor to define highway improvement needs along the corridor by evaluating a number of factors such as mobility, safety, reliability and congestion; the PEL study consulting team is in the final stages of preparing a final report; and,
WHEREAS, the County has jurisdiction over CSAH 12 (109th Avenue) at the intersection of Highway 65 and has received $1.5 million through the state of Minnesota 5th special legislative session in 2020 to complete preliminary engineering, environmental analysis, and final design of the improvements to CSAH 12 (109th Avenue) at Highway 65 in the City of Blaine; and,
WHEREAS, the City has jurisdiction over 99th Avenue and 105th Avenue at the intersection of Highway 65 and has received $10 million in Federal funds through the Met Council Regional Solicitation under the strategic capacity category for construction of access improvements at Highway 65 and 99th Avenue. The City is working on securing all other necessary funding for the Project; and,
WHEREAS, the County and City agree it is in the public interest for both agencies to partner in a collaborative joint project to determine a preliminary layout and prepare the environmental documentation for improvements along Highway 65 between approximately 97th Avenue through 117th Ave./Cloud Drive; and,
WHEREAS, Minn. Stat. § 471.59 authorizes political subdivisions of the state to enter into joint powers agreements for the joint exercise of powers common to each.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Blaine as follows:
1. Joint Powers Agreement No. C0008313 between the County of Anoka and the City of Blaine with regards to Trunk Highway 65 Access Improvement Design and Environmental Documentation is hereby approved.
2. The Mayor and City Manager are hereby authorized and directed to execute said agreement.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 1st day of February, 2021.