Agenda - Council - 10/28/2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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of the signal at TH10 and general questions about why were doing this project now and not an overpass over the railroad tracks. On September 22, 2008, the City received a signal and surfacing agreement from Burlington Northern Sante Fe (BNSF) railroad to upgrade the railroad crossing north of TH 10. The attached agreement must be signed approximately 12 months before BNSF will complete the work. During the October 3rd progress meeting for this project, a representative from BNSF suggested that the project could be completed as proposed in the fall of 2009 if the agreement was signed before November 1, 2008. The total cost of the improvements included in this agreement is $506,912. Observations: The transportation mitigation (required improvements) for the Ramsey Town Center took into account that the Ramsey Town Center was fully built. Whereas, there is no guarantee that the construction costs associated with this project, which have been estimated to cost approximately $4,000,000, are going to decrease, the timing of this improvement in these economic times is difficult to justify. Additionally, since there is uncertainty about the funding possibilities for an interchange that would provide a grade separation of the railroad tracks and there was many general comments regarding the operation of the signals at the existing Armstrong location, it seems reasonable to further explore grant opportunities with a local match approaching $4,000,000 to complete the permanent improvements rather than the interim improvements. The purpose of this case is to receive Staff direction on proceeding with the project. The case will attempt to. identify 3 options that are available to the City Council this evening and provide the advantages and disadvantages from Staffs perspective for each. Option 1: Approve the plan as proposed and construct in 2009 Advantages: . Requires a safer U-turn movement at signalized intersection under protected LT . Utilizes MnDOT money -$328,000 for signal upgrade and overlay ofTH10 . Upgrades the intersection and improves traffic flow, capacity and safety in 2009 . Complies with the above mentioned agreements . Complies with quiet zone standards Disadvantages: . Eliminates WB-SB and SB-EB turning movements at 149th Lane . Requires bonding for improvements in tough economic times when tax revenues are stagnant . If funds become available in the future for an interchange project, there will be a local match requirement and we will have spent close to $5 million on ~nterim improvements . If the plan is approved, and not constructed in 2009, in favor of an interchange, the City will lose approximately $300,000 (60-70% of railroad agreement) -162-