Agenda - Public Works Committee - 03/20/2012

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Public Works Committee 5. 4. Meeting Date: 03/20/2012 By: Tim Himmer, Engineering/Public Works Title: Consider Project Scope for Phase 2 of the Alpine Drive Overlay Project Background: In the fall of 2009 staff brought a case forward to the Public Works Committee to discuss options for the installation of a crosswalk near Alpine Park. The request was advanced from a property owner living along 153rd Court who wanted more convenient access to the park from the neighborhoods to the north. The thought at the time was that maybe something could be done as part of the skate park installation and /or the watermain loop and parking lot construction. The consensus of the Committee at that time was to install a crosswalk at the location of the new parking lot to the skate park, and to look for opportunities to construct a trail or sidewalk with subsequent projects in the area. In March of 2011 staff outlined the Alpine Drive overlay project, from Sunfish Lake Boulevard to Ramsey Boulevard, as a planned maintenance improvement to address the deteriorating pavement condition. At that time we were beginning to prepare project plans, and were looking for direction on the ultimate scope of improvements. Due to funding constraints, pavement condition along the extents of the roadway, and the pending Anoka County signalization project it was decided to break the project into two. The first phase of construction was to improve the failing pavement section from Ramsey Boulevard to the skate park entrance at 153rd Court; this project was completed in 2011 and included additional storm sewer upgrades. Phase two (153rd Court to Sunfish Lake Boulevard) was delayed until 2012 and was to include consideration of a trail from Alpine Park to the SWEETBAY RIDGE boardwalk (and ultimately Central Park), and alternative technologies that may assist in extending pavement life. Notification: Observations: Staff is looking for direction on inclusion of a trail with the phase two overlay of Alpine Drive, to be completed this summer /fall. A funding package for this trail has been difficult to determine, as the only available sources would be MSA or the City trail fund. Currently the MSA fund has been tapped for many of the regional roadway improvements around the COR and other priority CIP projects, but there may be a possibility to utilize some funding from this source if directed by the Council. The current balance in the trail fund is approximately $200,000 but those funds are also earmarked for other needed trail projects, including the City's local match to recently submitted DNR grant applications that were approved by the City Council on March 13, 2012. If directed staff could submit a third grant application to the DNR Local Trail Connections Program but we would just be competing with ourselves, which may cause confusion and uncertainty with the reviewers and result in us potentially missing out on those opportunities (attached to this case are location maps for the applications already submitted for this program). Another option to consider is breaking the overall trail into three separate segments, and constructing them over time. Staff has prepared a map and rough estimates for each of the potential segments for your consideration. The cost to construct al0' wide bituminous trail is approximately $24 per lineal foot, and is the basis for the estimates to follow. • Segment 1: south side of Alpine Drive, from 153rd Court to Hematite Street. This segment is estimated at $33,000 for construction and is a fairly straight forward project. There would be some private utility coordination issues and /or relocations necessary, and approximately 16' of boulevard space. • Segment 2: north side of Alpine Drive, from Hematite Street to Ramsey Boulevard. This segment is