Agenda - Council - 12/13/2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CC Regular Session 7.9. Meeting Date: 12/13/2016 By: Bruce Westby,Engineering/Public Works Information Title Adopt Resolution 916-12-228 Authorizing FASTLANE Funding Application for Ramsey Boulevard Railway Grade Separation Improvements Purpose/Background: Purpose: The purpose of this case is to adopt Resolution 416-12-228 authorizing Staff to submit a second funding application request for$11,000,000 through the Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies(FASTLANE)grant program for grade separating Ramsey Boulevard from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF)railway crossing north of Highway 10. Background: The existing at-grade vehicle and pedestrian crossings of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF)railway at Ramsey Boulevard are unsafe and result in traffic congestion and mobility issues along both Highway 10 and Ramsey Boulevard. The existing at-grade railway crossing also causes delays in emergency response times of several minutes or more when trains are present. These issues would best be resolved by grade separating the BNSF railway crossing from Ramsey Boulevard. In September of 2014,the Cities of Ramsey and Anoka, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation(MnDOT),the Anoka County Highway Department, and the Metropolitan Council, completed the Highway 10 Access Planning Study. This Study includes an Implementation Plan that identifies 21 proposed improvement projects along the Highway 10 corridor through Anoka and Ramsey. Each of the identified projects are prioritized in the implementation plan as immediate, short-term,mid-term, or opportunity/development/safety driven projects. The Ramsey Boulevard railway underpass project is identified in the plan as an opportunity/development/safety driven priority. Attached is the implementation plan from the study for reference. On October 28th,2014,the City Council adopted the Highway 10 Access Planning Study,thereby supporting the mutual goals and objectives of the various agencies to improving the operations and safety of Highway 10 in balance with local community values. In support of these goals and objectives,City staff wishes to submit an application for$11,000,000 in grant funding through the Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies(FASTLANE)grant program for grade separating Ramsey Boulevard from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF)railway crossing north of Highway 10. The City submitted its first FASTLANE grant application for the Ramsey Boulevard Railway Underpass improvement project in April 2016 but was unsuccessful in obtaining funding at that time. Staff recently held a teleconference with United States Department of Transportation officials for the purpose of reviewing the City's first application to see if anything should be changed in future submittals. In summary, Staff was told the first application passed all initial teams and was reviewed by the Commissioner along with all other small project finalists. The USDOT officials felt we might be able to refine our benefit cost analysis(BCA)to include additional benefits and costs,but noted this did not result in the project not being awarded funding. Staff is therefore reviewing the BCA to see if it can be further refined before submitting. This second FASTLANE application has the same requirements as the first application so no external costs were required to refresh and resubmit it. However, if this application is also unsuccessful in being awarded funding, Staff