Agenda - Public Works Committee - 12/03/2013

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Public Works Committee 5. 1. Meeting Date: 12/03/2013 By: Bruce Westby, Engineering/Public Works Title: Consideration of Recommending Approval of Joint Powers Agreement with Anoka County for CSAH 5/Alpine Drive Intersection Improvements. Purpose/Background: The purpose of this case it to review the Anoka County led CSAH 5/Nowthen Boulevard & Alpine Drive Intersection Improvements project with the Public Works Committee, and to request a formal recommendation for the City Council regarding approval of the attached draft Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) between Anoka County and the City of Ramsey. The CSAH 5 & Alpine Drive Intersection Improvement project, designated as City Improvement Project #14-20, will provide various operational and safety improvements at this skewed intersection. The primary improvements include installation of a signal system, construction of dedicated right and left turn lanes, and access management measures including disconnecting the nearby intersection of old CSAH 5/Nowthen Boulevard with new CSAH 5/Nowthen Boulevard, and constructing raised median islands along CSAH 5/Nowthen Boulevard on both sides of Alpine Drive. A layout of the proposed improvements is attached. The JPA defines the terms of agreement between Anoka County and the City of Ramsey including such items as project purpose, method of delivery, estimated costs, fund disbursements, any maintenance considerations, and termination of the agreement. This project is proposed for construction in the summer/fall of 2014. Construction is proposed to begin after schools recess for the summer to minimize impacts to school bus routes, especially as related to Ramsey Elementary School. The City Council will be considering approval of the draft JPA at their next regular meeting on December 10, 2013. Timeframe: 15 minutes Observations/Alternatives: The primary impacts of this project to the City of Ramsey are as follows. Signal system installation — This intersection is currently controlled by a 4-way STOP which was installed several years ago in response to numerous crashes that occurred at this intersection. The 4-way STOP was intended to be a temporary traffic control measure until such time as a signal system could be installed at this intersection. The new signal system will control traffic operations on all 4 legs of the intersection, and will include an Emergency Vehicle Pre-emption (EVP) system to allow emergency vehicles equipped with EVP to change the signal during emergency calls. Access modifications — Raised median islands will be constructed along CSAH 5/Nowthen Boulevard on both sides of Alpine Drive to physically separate opposing streams of traffic and to restrict access from abutting properties including: • Old Municipal Center — Access from/to this property will not be impacted by this project. The raised median on CSAH 5/Nowthen Boulevard is proposed to end just north of the entrance to this site and will therefore