Consider Interim Trail in the ROW of U.S. Hwy's #10 & #169

In 2011 MnDot issued a letter to the City of Ramsey to allow for an application for Transportation Enhancement funds for the Mississippi River Trail between the Mississippi West Regional Park and city limits, west of the Wayside Rest - some of it within the Right of Way (ROW) of U.S. Hwy's #10 & #169.  As the Committee may be aware, that Federal funding request was granted, and the 1.12 million dollar project is approved for construction in 2015 (or before under 'advance construction' authorization).

Perhaps as testament for the need for this trail, at the first City Council meeting of this year, a resident came forward requesting that the city construct an interim walking path within MnDOT’s ROW between Bowers’ Drive and Llama Street.  The issue is that the 1+ mile Bowers’ Drive with residential homes along much of both sides, is essentially ‘landlocked’ and disconnected from both trails and parks, and thus residents are dependent upon autos to recreate or reach destinations outside of their neighborhood.

Upon hearing the aforementioned resident discribe peddling on the highway with his children to reach the COR and parks and trails, Council acknowledged his request to investigate a ‘rustic’ trail and thus the purpose of this case.
 

In anticipation that the Committee may recommend to City Council that Staff proceed in some manner with the temporary trail, Staff intiated contact with MnDOT to receive concurrence that it is permissible to mow and/or maintain an ‘interim’ trail within the ROW between these two city streets mentioned above – pending the bituminous trail in a subsequent year. As of this case preparation Staff has not heard back from MnDOT, but anticipates that there would not be significant concerns or objections. 

The trail as proposed would be held as far away as possible from the pavement in the south part of the ROW, and its alignment is shown in the attached exhibit, together with the 2011 letter from MnDOT permitting a bituminous trail in this same location.

The Committee would appear to be presented with six options which are summarized as follows:

1. Do nothing at this time to create a interim trail.
2. Alter driveway/ditch approaches etc. such that a trail may be mowed by the City a few times a year at minimal expense.
3. Alter driveway/ditch approaches etc. such that a trail may be mowed by volunteers a few times a year at their mowing expense.
4. Alter driveway/ditch profiles as may be necessary and apply a thin 'veneer' of recycled bituminous base that the City has in its stockpiles for said trail.
5. Do any one of the above, and investigate the 'permanent', grant funded bituminous trail for construction in 2014 (with reimbursement of Federal monies at some point in 2015).
6. 'Act' on item #1 (by 'doing nothing'), do none of options #2 - #5, yet investigate the 'permanent', grant funded bituminous trail for construction in 2014 (with reimbursement in 2015).

Option #1 has no cost. Options #2 - #5 would be funded via parks and public works operational budgets for equipment and staff time (recycled base if used is already in the city's possession).  Option #6 would have no cost implications aside from staff salary that is already provided for.

Staff recommends 'Option #5', with part #2 if the Committee and Staff believe the interim trail's use will be only occasional.

- or -

'Option #5' with part #4 if the Committee and Staff believe the interim trail's use would be more regular (and especially if the 'permanent' trail is more likely to be constructed in 2015 versus 2014).

Motion to recommend to City Council option(s) ________ for addressing the request for a temporary trail within the ROW of Highway's #10 & #169 between Bowers' Drive and Llama Street.