5.7. SR 12-19-1994
rll -\j
( )j
~l}{
ITEM 5.7.
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Mayor & City Council
DATE:
December 19, 1994
FROM:
SUBJECT: Elk Hills Drive Improvement Project
Feasibility Study
A development project in the northeast corner of Elk Hills Drive and
Highway 169 received preliminary plat approval and conditional use permit
approval from the City Council on November 21, 1994. Associated with this
development project are some desired improvements at the Elk Hills
Drive/Highway 169 intersection, and, associated with this intersection
improvement project, are additional street improvements on Dodge Avenue
and 5th Street.
.
No one has been completely satisfied with the options for redesigning Elk
Hills Drive at Highway 169. Currently, the City Engineer is working with
MnDOT Officials to further explore design options for this intersection.
Please see the attached 12/9/94 City Engineer letter on this topic.
A representative for some of the busineses along Dodge Avenue has stated
his desire to have this Elk Hills Drive intersection improved and upgraded
before Memorial Day, 1995. A time line was put together that could
accomplish this goal, and this time line was outlined in a 11/9/94 letter from
the City Engineer (see attachment).
At this time, everyone should understand that this project cannot be
completed before Memorial Day, 1995. This is especially true when you take
into consideration the preparation of the intersection that would need to take
place before mid-April. Additionally, the City still needs to put together its
financing package for this project, hold public meetings on the design options
for the intersection, and go through the assessment process. This project can
be completed in 1995, but I do not believe that it is realistic to think that it
will be completed before Memorial Day.
.
council:ehdfeas
13065 Orono Parkway. P.O. Box 490. Elk River, MN 55330. (612) 441-7420. Fax: (612) 441-7425
MS
l:ONSHTIN(, ENtlINEERS
1326 Energy Park Drive
St. Paul, MN 55108
612-644-4389
1-800-888- 2923
Fax: 612'644-9446
CIVIL ENGINEERING
ENVIRONMENTAL
. MUNICIPAL
PLANNING
SOLID WASTE
STRUCTURAL
SURVEYING
TRAFFIC
TRANSPORTATION
ELECTRICAL/MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING
HVAC
POWER DISTRIBUTION
SCADA
SYSTEM CONTROlS
OFFICES IN:
. MINNEAPOLIS
PRIOR LAKE
S1. PAUL
W ASECA
DEe 1 2 1994
December 9, 1994
File: 230-246-10
Mr. Pat Klaers
City Administrator
City of Elk River
P.O. Box 490
Elk River, MN 55330-0490
RE: 5TH STREET/DODGE/ELK HILLS DRIVE FEASffiILITY
Dear Mr. Klaers:
As you are aware, we are working on the feasibility study for the road improvements to 5th
Street, Dodge, and Elk Hills Drive. The original schedule indicated the feasibility study
would be presented to the City Council in late November or early December. However,
based on comments we received when the original study was presented relative to the Elk
Hills Drive/Dodge intersection, we are further exploring the option of a T intersection,
which could be signalized in the future. We have contacted the traffic engineer from the
Brainerd office of MnDOT, and asked him to assist in this process. They have agreed to
analyze the effect the signal would have on their trunk highway system, and to provide us
feedback relative to their position on such an installation. They indicated that their work
would be available within the next two weeks. Therefore, I would like to hold-off
presenting the final feasibility study to the City Council until sometime in early January,
so that this item can be adequately addressed.
We are continuing with the preliminary survey work and the preparation of a base map of
the area, which could be used for the public informational hearing. I believe the slight
delay in the feasibility study will not cause a great delay in the entire project schedule,
should the City Council proceed with these improvements in the Spring of 1995.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to call.
Sincerely,
MSA, CONSULTING ENGINEERS
~J1ItIl#UN
Terry J. Maurer, P.E.
TJM:pd
246-081O.dec
1326 Energy Park Drive
St. Paul, MN 55108
612.644.4389
1.800.888.2923
Fax: 6 J 2.644.9446
CIVil ENGINEERING:
ENVIRONMENTAL
MUNICIPAL
PLANNING
.1IDWASTE
STRUCTURAL
SURVEYING
TRAFFIC
TRANSPORTATION
ElECTRICAL/MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING:
HVAC
POWER DISTRIBUTION
SODA
SYSTEM CONTROlS
OFFICES IN:
.NNEAPOllS
OR LAKE
ST. PAUL
W ASECA
November 9, 1994
File: 230-246-80
Mr. Pat Klaers
City Administrator
City of Elk River
13065 Orono Parkway
P.O. Box 490
Elk River, MN 55330
RE: ELK HILLS DRIVE / DODGE A VENUE / 5TH STREET
POTENTIAL CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE
Dear Mr. Klaers:
As requested by the City Council at their last meeting, I have prepared the following
proposed schedule for the improvement of 5th Street, Dodge Avenue, and the intersection
of Elk Hills Drive and TH 169. Based on discussion at the City Council meeting, the
schedule shows initiating a project at the November 14th City Council meeting and starting
construction early in the spring of 1995, with the project being completed at least through
the first lift of bituminous surfacing by Memorial Day 1995, in an effort to minimize
disruption to traffic along this commercial area. The schedule I would propose is as
follows:
November 14, 1994
- Order feasibility study.
- Initiate plans and specifications.
November 28, 1994
City Council accepts feasibility study and orders
public hearing.
December 1994
- Staff holds informational hearing with affected
property owners.
- City Engineer works with committee of business/
property owners on the design of the project.
January 23, 1995
- Hold public hearing.
- Approve plans and specifications and authorize
advertisement for bids.
February 16, 1995
Open bids.
2301246-0902.nov
"
.
Mr. Pat Klaers
November 9, 1994
Page Two
February 21, 1995
City Council considers bids and orders assessment
hearing
March 13, 1995
- Hold assessment hearing.
- A ward contract contingent upon successful
completion of 30 day assessment appeal period.
April 17, 1995
Begin construction.
May 26, 1995
Construction complete through fIrst lift of blacktop.
June 30, 1995
Entire project complete.
.
As you can see, this is a very aggressive schedule and assumes that many things will fall
into place, such as public support and involvement in the design process, lack of assessment
appeals, and weather for early construction. If the City Council would like to initiate work
on this project, I have attached a resolution which authorizes the preparation of a feasibility
study. I would also request that the City Council give direction to initiate work on plans
and specifications. This would allow us to begin the survey work prior to snowfall and
begin preparing base plans which can be utilized for informational meetings and design
meetings with a committee of property and business owners.
If you have any questions regarding this, please call.
Sincerely,
MSA,CONSULTINGENGThffiERS
T2~
TJM:tw
Attachment
.
230/246-0902.nov