Consider Project Scope for Phase 2 of the Alpine Drive Overlay Project

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.

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 a10' 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 estimated at $66,000 for construction, but includes some wetland impacts and right-of-way (ROW) issues to resolve as the properties adjacent to the roadway are unplatted and contain prescriptive roadway easements.  Additional research would be required to determine ROW location, and may include the need to acquire trail easements.  We would also have to perform wetland delineations and receive a permit from the local watershed for potential impacts and mitigation.
• Segment 3: west side of Ramsey Boulevard, from Alpine Drive to the SWEETBAY RIDGE boardwalk.  This segment is estimated at $44,000 for construction, but includes significant grade considerations, some wetland impacts, and Anoka County ROW issues.  Additional research would be required to determine ROW location. We would also have to perform wetland delineations and receive a permit from the local watershed for potential impacts and mitigation, as well as an Anoka County ROW permit and associated review.

In evaluating the total trail installation costs (approximately $143,000 in construction costs), and current available funds, it appears that constructing the entire trail connection with available funds would deplete the trail fund and/or continue to place a strain on the MSA account.  If it is the desire to seek a DNR trail connection grant the City could apply for up to $100,000, of which a 25% local match is required; the deadline for applications under this program is March 31st.  It should be noted that staff will be bringing forward a prioritization of community trail connections to a future Council meeting, consistent with a stated 2012 strategic goal.

Staff is also looking for feedback on the inclusion of alternate technologies with this proposed overlay project.  We have been researching alternative products/applications for road base treatments (additives, interlayment, etc.) that could potentially extend the pavement life for this segment of Alpine Drive, but based upon the existing pavement conditions it does not appear to warrant the additional costs to evaluate potential benefits.  It would be difficult to compare the recently completed Alpine Drive overlay segment with what is being proposed for this section, as the two areas are somewhat different in nature.  The 2012 proposed segment was constructed on native soils in a cut condition, whereas the completed 2011 segment is located on fill placed in and around a large wetland complex.  Staff is recommending that the alternative treatment analysis would be better suited for evaluation on the reconstruction of Riverdale Drive, planned for later this year and coordinated with the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) project.  The geotechnical report for that project shows a more consistent roadway section, with silty and/or clay fill over native sands.

The City's MSA account shows a 2012 beginning balance of approximately $390,000; incorporating the planned activities for this year results in an end of the year balance of approximately $200,000.  Looking at the same account for end of year 2013, incorporating the planned projects for that year, results in a negative balance of approximately $1,000,000.  Included in these totals is a $459,000 annual contribution to the MSA account, beginning in 2012, from COR land sales to repay the regional roadway improvements that were initially funded from this account.  As stated previously, trail construction along Alpine Drive can certainly be funded by MSA dollars but it does create a strain on that account.  If desired staff can include trail segment one in the project plans and potentially bid it as an alternate.  Doing this would allow the Council to review the costs associated with the trail before determining whether or not to fund the improvement with MSA dollars, another funding source, or delay construction.

Staff recommends that the Public Works Committee recommend to the City Council the inclusion of trail segment one within the scope of the 2012 Alpine Drive overlay project.

It is further recommended to forego the inclusion of alternative road base technologies on this project, but rather include that investigation and analysis with the future Riverdale Drive/MRT project.

Motion to recommend to the City Council the inclusion of trail segment one within the scope of the 2012 Alpine Drive overlay project.

-and-

Motion to recommended the elimination of alternative road base technologies on this project, but rather include that investigation and analysis with the future Riverdale Drive/MRT project.