Adopt Resolution #21-345 Authorizing Reconstruction of Waco Street to Existing Pavement Width as part of Improvement Project #22-01

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to adopt Resolution #21-344 authorizing the reconstruction of Waco Street to existing pavement width as part of Improvement Project #22-01.
 
Background:
City Improvement Project 22-01 proposes to reconstruct Sunwood Drive between Trunk Highway 47 and Waco Street, and Waco Street between Sunwood Drive and 150^th Avenue. The streets total approximately 2,500 linear feet (0.48 miles) in length, and are 46 feet wide from back of curb to back of curb. 
 
Sunwood Drive and Waco Street are Municipal State Aid (MSA) streets, and must be designed to MSA standards. Waco Street between Sunwood Drive and 150^th Avenue varies from the existing segment widths both north and south, which are a 32-foot urban section to the south and a 24-foot rural section to the north.
 
The Ramsey Public Works Committee reviewed this project on October 19, 2021. The committee recommended City Council ordering Staff to prepare plans and specifications. Additionally, the committee recommended Staff bring a case to the City Council to decide between the alternatives of reducing the width of Waco Street or leaving the width as is. Staff has since completed a detailed comparison of the alternatives, including estimates of the anticipated construction impacts and costs, as well as life-cycle costs, and the alternatives are summarized below.
 
Option 1: Maintain Existing Waco Street Width

• Maintain street width at 46’ as measured between the backs of curb
  • Maintain two 12+’ drive lanes and two 10’ parking lanes
  • No significant changes in elevations
  • Include pavement markings meeting MSA Standards
    • Maintains parking on both sides of the street
• Spot curb and gutter replacements
  • Spot driveway apron repairs, as needed
  • Minor impacts to boulevards, landscaping, irrigation systems, etc.
• Low impact to residents
  • Access to driveways can generally be maintained throughout construction
  • Property use remains unchanged post construction 

 
Option 2: Reduce Waco Street Width

• Reduce street width from 46' to 34’ as measured between the backs of curb
  • New construction must meet MSA Standards
  • Two 12’ drive lanes and one 8’ parking lane (proposed on west side) with one 1’ curb reaction (proposed on east side)
    • No Parking on one side of street (proposed on east side)
• Adjustment made on the east side of street
  • Current layout offsets to the east, which would line up better
  • Maintain existing curb and gutter on one side (proposed on west side) to reduce project costs
• Extend driveways and boulevard approximately 12' on one side of street (proposed on east side)
  • Must move existing storm sewer to align with new curb line
  • Significant cost increase
• Extensive impact to residents on one side of the street (proposed on east side)
  • Access to driveways on one side of street cannot maintained throughout much of construction
  • Extensive impacts to landscaping, irrigation systems, etc. on one side of street (irrigation repairs are typically the property owners responsibility)
  • Properties on one side of street will be impact6ed differently than properties on other side of street post construction 
• Increase in Staff design time (estimated at 40 hours)
  • Need to design new vertical profile for street and curb line, and match into existing driveways on one side of Waco Street (proposed on east side)
  • Need to re-design storm sewer system.
  • Additional plan sheets; street profiles, cross sections, storm sewer, etc.
  • Additional field time for staking new curb line, storm sewer, etc.
• Future pavement maintenance reduced
  • One less pass for plows during snow plow events (2 passes versus 3)
  • Less square yards of pavement during pavement treatments (approx. 900 SY)
    • Pavement rejuvenator, crack sealing, overlaying, patching, etc.
• Continuity of neighborhood appearance
  • Reduced street width would be more consistent with Waco Street to the South
  • Current width does match Sunwood Drive to the West.
• Off street pedestrian facilities
  • Extended boulevard creates opportunity for off-street pedestrian trail on one side (east proposed) between Sunwood Drive and 150^th Avenue

 
Estimated Cost Summary
Estimated costs are based off detailed AutoCAD drawings and line item estimates. Item unit prices are based off of anticipated 2022 pay items, which Staff are estimating to be 5-percent higher than average 2021 rates.
 
It should be noted that Staff proposed to reduce the width of Waco Street on the east side, saving the curb and gutter on the west side. If it was desired to center Waco Street within the right of way, it would add approximately $35,000 - $40,000 to project costs.

Exhibits showing the options are attached to this case. A table summarizing the estimated costs is below.
 

Summary of Estimated Costs
	Sunwood Drive	Waco Street Option 1 (Maintain Existing 46' Width)		Waco Street Option 2 (Reduce Width from 46’ to 34’)
		Waco Street	Total Project	Waco Street	Total Project
Total Construction Cost	$ 299,173.23	$ 160,366.23	$ 459,539.46	$ 230,400.23	$ 529,573.46
23% Indirect Cost	$ 68,809.84	$ 36,884.23	$ 105,694.08	$ 52,992.05	$ 121,801.90
Total Project Cost	$ 367,983.07	$ 197,250.46	$ 565,233.54	$ 283,392.28	$ 651,375.36
Option 2 Additional Upfront Project Cost					$ 86,141.82
Option 2 Life Cycle Saving (2022 pricing)					($ 39,986.88)
Option 2 Additional Project Cost Including Life Cycle Savings (2022 pricing)					$ 46,154.94
Option 2 Life Cycle Savings (assumes 1.5% inflation over 60 year life)					($ 62,575.20)
Option 2 Additional Project Cost Including Life Cycle Savings (assumes 1.5% inflation)					$ 23,566.62

 
The life cycle cost where estimated based off reducing 1 lane of pavement for the length of Waco Street (0.134 miles; 911 square yards). The table below summarizes life cycle cost factors used to determine the overall life cycle cost savings.
 

Summary of Life Cycle Treatment Costs
Treatment	Units	Cost / Unit	Treatment Cost	Treatment Years
Rejuvenator	911 SY	$ 1.11 / SY	$ 1,007.38	1, 21, 41
Crack Seal	911 SY	$ 0.57 / SY	$ 519.27	3, 7, 14, 23, 27, 34, 43, 47, 54
2” Mill & Overlay	911 SY	$11.11 / SY	$ 10,124.73	20, 40
Snow Events (8 Annual)	0.1335 Ln Mi	$ 684.41 / Ln Mi	$ 91.38	Annual
Salt Events (8 Annual)	0.1335 Ln Mi	$ 740.10 / Ln Mi	$ 98.82	Annual

 
Per the estimated costs, the additional up-front costs minus the life cycle cost savings to reduce the width of Waco Street is an additional $23,500 - $46,000 than option 1, which is reconstructing Waco Street to its existing width. The additional up-front cost of $86,141.82 is a 15-percent increase to the overall project costs.

Notifications are not required for this case.

Motion to adopt Resolution #21-345 authorizing reconstruction of Waco Street to the existing pavement width as part of Improvement Project #22-01.

Staff recommends adopting Resolution #21-345 authorizing reconstruction of Waco Street to its existing pavement width as part of Improvement Project #22-01. The additional cost of reducing the width of Waco Street from 46’ to 34’ will have an estimated up-front cost of $86,141.82, which is a 15-percent increase to the estimated project costs. Estimated life cycle costs will not result in a net overall savings over the estimated life of the improvements, falling $23,500 to $46,000 short of the up-front cost. Reducing the width of Waco Street also adds significant complexity to the project design and construction, and results in extensive impacts to residents along one side of Waco Street, both during and post construction. 

Adopt Resolution #21-345 authorizing reconstruction of Waco Street to existing pavement width as part of Improvement Project #22-01.