City Council Meeting Date: July 11, 2017
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: David E. Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Consideration of Resolution Request Funding from MnDOT Through Municipal Agreement Program for TH 246 and Jefferson Parkway Roundabout Improvement Project.
Body
Action Requested:
Staff recommends a motion to approve the Resolution Request Funding from Minnesota Department of Transportation Through the Municipal Agreement Program for the Trunk Highway 246 and Jefferson Parkway Roundabout Improvement Project.
Summary Report:
In the spring of 2016, the City initiated the Intersection Control Evaluation study at the intersection of Trunk Highway (TH) 246 and Jefferson Parkway. The goal and objectives of the intersection study were as follows:
Identify improvements that alleviate peak hour congestion, improve pedestrian and bike access, improve school ingress/egress, improve safety and understand adjacent intersection operation impacts.
The study, with guidance from the stakeholders, identified five improvements in the area. Those improvements include the following.
1. Install a roundabout at Jefferson Parkway and TH 246 with Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at pedestrian crossings.
2. Trail Underpass across Trunk Highway 246 with the extension of the Mill Towns Trail through this area.
3. Sidewalk and marked crossing on the east side of TH 246 by the High School.
4. Modify the pickup and drop off at Bridgewater Elementary due to vehicles backing out onto Jefferson Parkway during afternoon school pickup. Vehicles would now enter off Trunk Highway 246 and exit on to Jefferson Parkway.
5. Extend left turn lane onto Raider Drive on Jefferson Parkway.
On March 21, 2017 the Council accepted the reports and requested MnDOT add the roundabout improvement project to the 2021 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). MnDOT has received our request and has indicated that the improvements on TH 246 best qualify through their municipal agreement program with the STIP.
As part of the municipal agreement program, the City of Northfield would lead the project if selected. MnDOT, through the Municipal Agreement Program, has indicated that their cost share on the project would be for the TH 246 legs of the roundabout and the roundabout itself. Essentially, the City would need to cost participate the Jefferson Parkway approaches to the roundabout. With that said, staff would anticipate, at this early stage, the City should consider contributing toward 50% of the project costs or $1,500,000. The costs are summarized below and have been increased with inflation to the year 2021.
Improvement 1 - Roundabout at Jefferson Parkway and TH 246 with Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at pedestrian crossings ($1,913,000 FY 21).
Improvement 2 - Trail Underpass across Trunk Highway 246 with the extension of the Mill Towns Trail through this area ($815,000).
Improvement 3 - Sidewalk and marked crossing with RRFB on the east side of TH 246 by the High School ($175,000).
Total Project = $2,903,000
MnDOT District 6 has indicated they have $3.6 million available for the Municipal Agreement program for 2021. The City will be competing for this funding with another municipality. In addition, MnDOT has indicated the funding for this program will go down to around $100,000 after 2021 unless the district receives additional funding.
Staff recommends that we proceed with requesting funding for these improvements. This does not prohibit the City from continuing to explore the turnback of TH 246 to the City and Rice County.
Alternative Options:
None at this time.
Financial Impacts:
$1,500,000 which would be funded through the City’s Municipal State-Aid.
Tentative Timelines:
Staff will submit the resolution to MnDOT, July 12 and present the project on July 25 to MnDOT officials. MnDot review and project selection will occur in August and the City should hear back in September.