Approve the Installation of Underground Power at Riverdale Drive in Preparation for the Mississippi Skyway Project

One of the cost elements of the future construction of the extension of the skyway and pedestrian bridge over Hwy 10, is the relocation of the overhead powerline between the highway and Riverdale Drive.  The cost estimate for this work had been identified as $300,000.  Earlier this year, Staff had made an inquiry to Connexus Energy to see if they might be able to perform this work as a community service within the next three years.  Connexus respectfully declined this opportunity.  Staff then requested an estimate to perform the work, so as to have a better idea of the actual cost for relocating the overhead power to underground for approximately 440' feet, for the area necessary to construct and set the bridge.

In speaking with Connexus' design engineer on the costs, it was learned that Connexus had a planned-for 'upgrade' to the power line in this area for 2017.  The net result is that, as they are they are already working on this distribution line, the incremental cost for going from overhead to underground is less than $19,000 dollars—or $281,000 less than the earlier estimate.

In 2014, the City of Ramsey received a grant award of $490,000 dollars to be applied to the Mississippi Skyway project.  This money sunsets in 2017.  Accordingly, in December 2016, City Council authorized that these monies be applied to the Final Design and the preparation of Plans and Specification this year, estimated to cost a total of $436,000—leaving approximately $54,000 available for the work outlined by this case.

The aforementioned Final Design and Plans and Specification, together with the relocation of the utilities (power line), positions the City to be shovel-ready at the time funding is available.  These two project elements also have the favorable effect of placing the City (and County) to be more competitive in grant applications. Additionally, relocation of the power line reduces the estimated construction cost from $4.53M to $4.25M dollars.



 

The funding associated with this case would be from the National Park Service grant of $490,000.

Staff recommends proceeding with the relocation of the overhead power at the location of the touch-down point of the Mississippi Skyway to underground for 440' feet, so to position the pedestrian bridge project to be evermore 'shovel-ready'.

Motion to direct Staff to proceed with the relocation of overhead power near Riverdale Drive to underground at a not-to-exceed cost of $19,000 dollars.