Agenda - Council - 07/11/2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I ,I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Case # ~.~ UPDATE ON TRUNK HIGHWAY #47 By: Steve Jankowski, City Engineer Background: Two issues have risen concerning the Highway #47 project that should be brought to Council's attention. The first issue of concerns the moving of utilities in the vicinity of 153rd Avenue NW and Trunk Highway #47. You may recall that two of the utilities had easements to accommodate their facilities. Attached to this case is an agreement in which the City received from Great River Energy to move a power pole at a cost of $15,693.95. I have contacted Mr. Garry Ostmm at Great River Energy to inquire as to the status of the facilities relocation. Mr. Ostrum indicates that the move was being planned, but also indicated that the letter agreement was pending. It was my impression that he would not move the facility without a signed agreement. I have not yet received an agreement from U.S. West for their relocation of the facilities. As you'recall, it was estimated that this relocation would be in the neighborhood of about $35,000. The construction project manager has advi.sed me that the contractor will likely be ready to work in this area before the July 25, 2000 Council meeting. Failure to have these facilities moved by that time could result in a claim on the part of the contractor for compensation caused for delay. At this point Council has directed that we not sign the agreement and we would request additional consideration and direction on this issue. A second issue, which needs to be brought to the Council's attention, concerns the phasing plan of the prosecution of the work. The plan was for Trunk Highway #47 to be constructed under a phased scheme with the highway in service throughout the construction. Within the vicinity of the intersection with County Road 5 it has become apparent that the phasing plan cannot be constructed as planned for technical reasons primarily relating to the great changes in grades between County Road 5 and Trunk Highway #47. Two alternatives could be considered resolving this. The first alternative would be to revise the phasing plan by adding more phases to the project in order to keep Tnmk Highway #47 open for the duration of the construction. However this alternative has a cost. At this time of this writing the cost is not known but should be available at the time of the Council meeting. However, it is anticipated that the cost will be substantial. A second option preferred both by staff and the contractor would be to temporary close Highway #47 north of the intersection of County Road 5. This alternative would be done without additional costs to the City. The contractor would need to provide a minor amount of additional traffic control signage. The closing would last approximately about two weeks but would have the benefit of allowing the project to be completed more speedily then the first alternative and would also have the additional benefit of ensuring better quality to the work. Since crossings can be completed in their entirety instead of half at a time. Since most of the traffic already appears to be avoiding Tnmk Highway #47 in favor of County Road 5 we feel this second alternative may have minimal impact on the traveling public.