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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8C - Duluth Design Modifications O� PRI() N U 4646 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake,MN 55372 `�fNNesa�P CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: FEBRUARY 23, 2015 AGENDA#: 8C PREPARED BY: LARRY POPPLER, CITY ENGINEER/INSPECTIONS DIRECTOR PRESENTED BY: LARRY POPPLER AGENDA ITEM: CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A REPORT DISCUSSING DESIGN MODIFICATIONS TO THE DULUTH AVENUE INTERSECTION PROJECT (TRN15-000003) DISCUSSION: Introduction Considering the number and expenses related to 2015 Capital Improvement Projects, the City Council directed City Staff to review the Duluth Avenue Intersection project for modifications to the design which reduces the project scope. History The City uses the Capital Improvement Program to schedule projects. In this case the Duluth Avenue Intersection has been identified for several years and is shown in 2015-2019 Capital Improvement Program. MNDOT has also been planning for the signal replacement at Highway 13 and Duluth Avenue for several years. Duluth Avenue approaches to the signal could be better configured to improve operation of the signal. This project would reconstruct portions of Duluth Avenue to better align with the signal system. Dedicated lane configurations (raised medians) could be adjusted for better signal efficiency. Access points on Duluth are in close proximity to the intersection and are affecting operations. On September 8, 2014, the City of Prior Lake approved a professional services contract with WSB & Associates for the Duluth Avenue Intersection Project. A portion of the work includes the preparation of a feasibility report. At the January 26, 2015 City Council meeting, the City Council approved concept 2 for construction with no median north of TH 13. At the February 9th, City Council work session, the City discussed the financing of all City projects for construction in 2015. The costs associated with these projects have an impact on the tax levy. Considering the high costs the City Council directed staff to review the possibility of reducing the scope of the Duluth Avenue project and the impacts of a scope reduction. Phone 952.447.9800/Fax 952.447.4245/www.cityofpriorlak-e.com Current Circumstances One option to reduce the scope of the Duluth Avenue Intersection project would be to only install the signal system and not complete the street modifications to Duluth Avenue. However, the new signal pole and signal head locations do not line up with the existing traffic lane configurations on Duluth Avenue if the new signal was constructed for the future roadway condition. The poles on TH 13 would be fine however their placement for the future intersection improvements would be pushed further away from the intersection making it very tough to accommodate pedestrian access. MnDOT would require sidewalk and additional pedestrian push buttons that would have to be removed in the future and MnDOT most likely will not approve of the temporary condition. Other impacts to this alternative include the following: Interim Cost Reduction — The costs associated with this option would reduce the overall costs by $708,120 and the overall Tax Levy by approximately $615,000 depending on how much of the project is still eligible for State Aid. Future Costs—A portion of the signal system would require modification. This modification would account for $180,000 in additional costs in the future. Traffic Impacts — Because the Duluth Avenue travel lanes would not be modified, flashing yellow left turn arrows would only be placed on TH 13 in the interim. Therefore Duluth Avenue would not substantially change from its current operation. The feasibility report discusses that the Duluth Avenue and TH 13 intersection will continue to degrade because of the geometric issue and by 2019 the level of service will not be acceptable. Presumably, the City would want to address the level of service issue by that time. For the above reasons, the staff does not recommend reduction of project scope. Instead we believe that the project timing should be shifted. The funding provided for the signal by MNDOT is for fiscal year 2016 which begins in July of 2015. The City has been discussing the construction in the summer of 2016 since it matches with the MNDOT funding. Delaying the full project until the spring of 2016 still meets MNDOT fiscal year 2016 timeframe. The project must be bid prior to June 30, 2016. Conclusion Considering the MNDOT funding cycle and the future impacts of not constructing this project by 2019, City Staff recommend delaying the full project for spring 2016 letting and construction. ISSUES: Holiday Gas Stations has expressed concerns with the median extension across their northern access off Duluth Avenue. They have requested the opportunity for additional input. The delay in this project should provide 2 additional time for the staff to work with Holiday, Lund's, Wells Fargo and others who may want to have additional input. City Staff has asked MNDOT to comment on the adjustment of the TH 13 access to Village Lake Mall. MNDOT has not yet provided commentary on that access modification. To provide for alignment of the travel lanes at the intersection, the current layout provides for a median on the northern leg of Duluth Avenue, however this median does not restrict access to Anna Trail. FINANCIAL The preliminary cost estimate for the full project is provided below: IMPACT: •NCEPT Project $197,550 Support Costs Intal " r, ; OrJ The funding table below shows how the project would be financed: • - City MSA $200,000 Total $1,185,300 The Duluth Signal project is proposed to be financed by MNDOT, MSA and Tax Levy. The costs include construction estimates for each construction element, project support costs and right of way costs. A project contingency is also included in these preliminary numbers. Original CIP projections for the project included MNDOT costs of $150,000, City MSA of$200,000, and Tax Levy of$500,000. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Accept a Report on Design Modification for Duluth Avenue and provide City Staff with Direction 2. Table this item until some date in the future. RECOMMENDED Alternative# 1 MOTION: 3