Consider Street Width Recommendation for Andrie Street and 164th Lane Reconstruction Project

Purpose:
Consider providing a recommendation on street widths for reconstructing Andrie Street and 164th Lane, which are currently scheduled for reconstruction in 2016.

Background:
In December of 2008, a Feasibility Report for reconstructing Andrie Street and 164th Lane was completed. In 2009, plans and specifications were prepared, including an alternate bid for constructing sidewalks with the project. This project was then bid but never constructed due to a controversy that arose over whether sidewalks should be constructed with the project, as well as due to some project funding questions.

On May 21, 2013, the Public Works Committee directed staff to update the estimated project costs for reconstructing Andrie Street and 164th Lane as proposed in 2008/2009, but without concrete sidewalks. The Committee also directed staff to explore costs for widening the pavement to accommodate on-road bicycle lanes for use by pedestrians and bicyclists.
 
On May 20, 2014, staff provided updated costs to the Public Works Committee for reconstructing Andrie Street and 164^th Lane as either a 32-foot wide street with concrete sidewalk on one side, or as a 36-foot wide street with an on-road bike lane on one side.  The estimated costs reflected 2009 pricing.  It was also discussed that no petitions were received requesting improvements to Andrie Street and 164th Lane since petitions were originally received in May of 2008.  However, there appeared to be a renewed interest by some of the residents to reconstruct Andrie Street and 164th Lane, though based on preliminary feedback the addition of a concrete sidewalk is not favored.
 
On June 17, 2014, staff again discussed this project with the Public Works Committee who decided to wait until an assessment policy was developed, and until further direction on MSA requirements was known, to further discuss this project.  Since this time, a Special Assessments Policy was adopted (December 2014) and staff has had further opportunities to review the project in relation to applicable MSA standards.  Staff is therefore looking to move this project along again so it can be bid next winter.  All that remains now is to define the proposed typical section including all driving, parking, bike lane, and shoulder widths.

Both Andrie Street and 164th Lane are part of our Municipal State-Aid Street (MSAS) system so MnDOT state-aid standards must be followed during design and construction.  Minnesota rule 8820.9941 determines the minimum design width for on-road bicycle facilities for urban reconstruction projects, which allows for 5 or 6 foot wide bike lanes.  The Public Works Committee previously recommended using 5 foot bike lanes and 11 foot drive lanes to reduce the proposed overall road width.

The following design criteria apply to Andrie Street and 164th Lane;
• Functional class = collector
• Traffic volumes = < 2,000 ADT (450 to 1,250 ADT in 2009)
• Design speed = 30 mph
• Parking = originally proposed on one side only (opposite on-road bike lane) but the City can request a no-parking variance if a good reason exists why parking should not be allowed/provided for.

The 2009 estimated costs for reconstructing Andrie Street and 164th Lane as 32 foot wide streets with concrete curb and gutter, storm sewer, and a 5 foot wide concrete sidewalk along one side was $1,813,000, including indirect costs.  If the 5 foot concrete sidewalk is removed and the streets are widened by 4 feet to accommodate two 11 foot drive lanes and a 6 foot wide on-road bicycle lane, the 2009 estimated costs, including indirect costs, becomes $1,647,000. Therefore, based on 2009 estimated costs it is estimated to cost about $166,000 less to construct the on-road bike lane than the off-road sidewalk.

Based on direction received from the Public Works Committee on May 20^th, 2014, staff updated the 2009 engineer’s estimate to reflect 2014 estimated costs for reconstructing Andrie Street and 164th Lane as a 36-foot wide street with two 11-foot lanes and a 6-foot bike lane at $1,758,000.  This included 20% indirect costs for engineering and administration, and reflected an estimated increase of $111,000 in project costs from 2009 to 2014.  Staff also updated the 2009 estimate to reflect 2014 estimated costs for reconstructing Andrie Street and 164th Lane as a 32 foot wide street with no concrete sidewalk or on-road bike lane, as was originally proposed. This cost was estimated at $1,665,000 and included 20% indirect costs for engineering and administration.

Since this was last discussed by the Public Works Committee in June of 2014, the City has adopted a Special Assessments Policy and has secured bond funds for the next five years of street reconstruction projects, including both Andrie Street and 164^th Lane.  Unfortunately, the secured bond funds do not allow for the addition of sidewalk or trails, or for widening streets.  As such, sidewalks or trails cannot be added along Andrie Street and 164^th Lane, and the streets cannot be widened unless local funds are used to pay for such improvements.  Therefore, staff is seeking direction from the Committee on whether Andrie Street or 164^th Lane should be widened to accommodate pedestrian facilities, or whether sidewalk or trails should be added, either of which would add local costs to the project.

This project is currently listed in the CIP for reconstruction in 2016.  As previously noted, bond funds are in place to fund the surface improvements required for this project, which would be paid back in part through the collection of special assessments.  The Storm Water Utility Fund would fund the required storm water improvements.

Staff is not prepared to offer a recommendation at this time, but based on everything that is known to date a no-parking variance would appear to be very unlikely for this project.  As such, on-road parking will likely need to be provided thereby reducing the likelihood that an on-road bike lane could be provided without exceeding the existing street width, resulting in increased local funding needs for the project.  If the Committee wants staff to pursue this further, staff will request additional direction from MnDOT’s State Aid Office in hopes of being able to provide definitive direction for the Committee at their July meeting.

Recommend or deny recommendation for street widths of reconstructed Andrie Street and 164th Lane.