7.1. SR 08-17-2020
Request for Action
To Item Number
Mayor and Council 7.1
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Public Hearing August 17, 2020 Justin Femrite, P.E., Public Works Director
Item Description Reviewed by
169 Redefine Preliminary Design Cal Portner, City Administrator
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Open, receive comments, and close public hearing in the matter of the 169 Redefine Preliminary Design.
Background/Discussion
The 169 Redefine project is intended to improve vehicle safety and mobility along the TH 169 corridor
th
between the Mississippi River and 197 Avenue in Elk River. The proposed project will eliminate five existing
signal systems along TH 169 through revisions to the TH 10/TH 101/TH 169 system interchange and by
adding four new grade separated interchanges at cross streets in Elk River. TH 169 will be reconstructed as an
urban highway with median barrier separation and curb & gutter along the outsides. Auxiliary lanes will also be
added between several interchanges to accommodate traffic demand. Five new bridges will be constructed with
the project along with new trail and walk connections throughout the corridor aiming to improve pedestrian
safety and mobility.
Final design work for the 169 Redefine project is just starting, and construction is expected to begin late 2022
and last through the 2024 construction season.
Formal municipal consent action is expected to be brought forward for consideration on September 8.
Financial Impact
Total project cost for the 169 Redefine project is estimated to be approximately $160 million. Based on the
layout being presented, the City of Elk River’s cost participation is estimated to be approximately $3 million
plus any aesthetic elements that exceed MnDOT cost obligations for those treatments.
Attachments
MnDOT Letter
Final Preliminary Layout
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity
Minnesota Department of Transportation
District 3
7694 Industrial Park Road
Baxter, MN 56425-8096
An Equal Opportunity Employer
June 26th, 2020
Justin Femrite, P.E.
Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
City of Elk River
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
RE: Request for City Approval (Municipal Consent) of the Final Layout for SP 7106-87
Dear Mr. Femrite,
MnDOT is proceeding with plans to complete State Project 7106-87 TH 169 Reconstruction
through the City of Elk River. In accordance with Minnesota Statute 161.164, I am submitting for
City approval the project’s Final Layout, identified as Layout No. 1B, S.P. 7106-87.
The City’s approval (municipal consent) is required for this project because it alters access to TH
169 through Elk River by creating four new grade separated interchanges, increases highway
traffic capacity by adding auxiliary lanes to northbound and southbound TH 169, and requires
acquisition of permanent rights of way to accommodate the proposed interchange footprints and
associated drainage needs. Municipal consent of MnDOT projects is described in Minnesota
Statutes 161.162 through 161.167 (attached).
Approval or disapproval of the final layout is by resolution of the City Council. (A sample resolution
is attached). However, if the City neither approves nor disapproves the final layout within 90 days
of the public hearing, the layout is deemed approved (per MN Statute 161.164).
The deadlines (per MN Statute 161.164) for the City’s responsibilities regarding municipal consent
of the attached layout are as follows, based on a submittal date of the final layout to the City of
6/26/2020:
· Within 15 days of receiving the final layout, schedule a public hearing (by 7/11/2020).
· Within 60 days of receiving the final layout, conduct the public hearing (by 8/25/2020).
· Provide at least 30-days’ notice of the public hearing.
· Within 90 days of the public hearing, approve or disapprove the layout by resolution.
MnDOT will attend the public hearing to present the final layout and answer questions, as required
by statute.
Page 2 of 3
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Project Purpose
The purpose of the TH 169 reconstruction project is to improve vehicle safety and mobility along
the TH 169 corridor between the Mississippi River and 197th Avenue, in Elk River. The project
received Corridors of Commerce funding in 2018 to convert TH 169 to a freeway section through
Elk River. Pedestrian safety and mobility will also be increased with the project.
Project Description
The TH 169 reconstruction project stretches approximately five miles along TH 169 from the
Mississippi River at the South to the intersection with 197th Avenue at the North. The proposed
project will eliminate five existing signal systems along TH 169 through revisions to the TH 10/TH
101/TH 169 system interchange and by adding four new grade separated interchanges at cross
streets through Elk River. TH 169 will be reconstructed as an urban highway with median barrier
separation and curb & gutter along the outsides. Auxiliary lanes will also be added between several
interchanges to accommodate traffic demand. Five new bridges will be constructed with the project
along with new trail and walk connections throughout the corridor.
Planned Project Schedule
Final design work for the TH 169 project is anticipated to begin summer of 2020. Construction will
begin following a summer 2022 letting and last through the 2024 construction season. A minimum
of a single thru lane of traffic will be maintained along TH 169 throughout construction. A minimum
of two intersection access points will be maintained to and from TH 169 in Elk River throughout
construction. Temporary bypasses, weekend closures, and detour routes are anticipated to
facilitate construction.
City’s Estimated Project Costs
Some project costs are the City’s responsibility, as detailed in MnDOT’s cost participation policy.
(See the policy and the Cost Participation and Maintenance with Local Units of Government
Manual at MnDOT’s this website: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/policy/financial/fm011.html).
Total project costs for S.P. 7106-87 are estimated to be approximately $160 million. Based on the
staff approved layout, the City of Elk River’s cost participation is estimated to be approximately $3
million. Attached is MnDOT’s current estimate of the City’s costs for S.P. 7106-87. Please note that
the estimated costs represent a good faith cost estimate based on preliminary design work. Costs
will be refined and further validated as final design progresses.
Page 3 of 3
An Equal Opportunity Employer
City’s Maintenance Responsibilities
MnDOT will own the bridges carrying TH 169 over Main Street and 193rd Avenue as well as the
bridges carrying School Street and 197th Avenue over TH 169. MnDOT will be responsible for all
maintenance involving the bridge structures and decks. The City of Elk River will be responsible
for non-structural maintenance activities of the proposed School Street and 197th Avenue bridges
including snow and ice removal. MnDOT will maintain all proposed interchange ramps and
adjacent roadway infrastructure. The City of Elk River will be responsible for all maintenance of
Main Street and 193rd Avenue as well as all maintenance of School Street and 197th Avenue
exterior to the bridge approach panels including all adjacent roadway infrastructure. Maintenance
of proposed traffic signals and other roadway features that may arise will be discussed as final
design progresses.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about this submittal.
Sincerely,
Darren Nelson
Project Manager
7694 Industrial Park Road
Baxter, MN 56425
Office: 218-828-5760
Cell: 218-838-4473
Attachments:
Final Layout for SP 7106-87, dated June 2020
MN Statutes 161.162 – 161.167
Estimated Project Costs
Sample City Resolution
cc: Dave Nelson, P.E. – SRF PM
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