Update on Halls Dover Acres Street Reconstructions, Improvement Project #24-02

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to update the Public Works Committee on the Halls Dover Acres Street Reconstructions, Improvement Project #24-02.
 
Background:
City Improvement Project #24-02 proposes to reconstruct the streets within the Halls Dover Acres subdivision, generally located east of Nowthen Boulevard between 157^th Lane and 158^th Lane. The 2023 – 2032 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) identifies the streets within this subdivision for street reconstruction in 2024. A street segment summary is attached to this case.
 
Existing Conditions
The streets are 24 feet wide rural section with drainage swales adjacent to the roadway, totaling 0.98 miles in length. Traffic counts have not been taken, but Staff anticipates higher than typical neighborhood traffic along 157^th Lane due to the daycare center located at the intersection of 157^th Lane and Nowthen Boulevard, but not rising to the level of a collector street.
 
Sewer and water exist in the subdivision to the east, but the Halls Dover Acres subdivision is not located within the MUSA. The 2040 Comprehensive Plan proposed water system improvements does include extending 12-inch trunk watermain along 157^th Lane from Potassium Street to Nowthen Boulevard as part of a trunk system loop. This trunk watermain extension is proposed to occur as part of this project.
 
Project History

• 2023 – 2032 Capital Improvement Program – listed as street reconstruction for 2024.
• June 13, 2023, Resolution #23-130 the Ramsey City Council accepted proposals for topographic survey of the project area.
• June 27, 2023, Resolution #23-129 the Ramsey City Council accepted proposals for geotechnical report of the project area.
• August 22, 2023, Resolution #23-198 the Ramsey City Council ordered Staff to prepare plans and specifications.

 
Pavement History
The streets within Halls Dover Acres were built in 1976. The street received an overlay improvement in 1990, followed by crack seal / seal coat improvements in 1996 and 2004. Maintenance crews have performed patching over the last several years, including extensive patching in 2023.
 
Proposed Improvements
Staff review of the geotechnical report found generally sandy subsoils, ideal for both roadway embankment and utility support, throughout the project area. Because of this, subsoil corrections are not anticipated, and the full-depth reclamation (FDR) design process will be used. The existing alignment and profile of the streets are proposed to generally be put back to existing. However, Staff found the roadway curves and centerlines tend to meander within the right-of-way, this will cause the edge of pavement to move several inches horizontally, and up to a foot from existing. Additionally, Staff found the existing roadway crown varies significantly throughout the project, with some areas having no crown or unanticipated super elevation. This project proposes to place a 3-percent crown throughout, which has become typical practice for rural reconstructions in Ramsey. The proposed section is 3.5-inches new bituminous pavement over 4 inches aggregate base, which will be made up of reclamation material. Driveway aprons will be going back approximately 8 feet to tie the driveways into the new pavement, materials are proposed to match existing.
 
In general, the current swales along the streets within Halls Dover Acres are not proposed to be re-graded as part of this project. Staff is aware of standing water issues within the Radium Circle cul-de-sac, which are proposed to be addressed. Additionally, the existing swale at the northwest quadrant of 157^th Lane and Radium Street has filled, completely covering the culvert. The soils are so well draining that water does not stand, however, Staff must do grading work in the ditch for the new culvert to be properly installed. Otherwise, due to the nature of street reconstruction, the in-slopes of the swales along the pavement will likely be disturbed approximately 3 to 5 feet off the edge of pavement. No changes to the current drainage patterns are proposed. The existing culverts crossing the streets are proposed to be removed and replaced, this is to ensure the culverts will last at least through the proposed 60-year design life of the street.
 
A 12-inch trunk watermain is proposed to be extended from the existing end of line at Potassium Street, at the east edge of the Halls Dover Acres plat, along 157^th Lane to Nowthen Boulevard. From there, the watermain will follow Nowthen Boulevard to Sunfish Lake Boulevard, and connect to an existing trunk watermain stub off of the Sodium Way cul-de-sac. In total the trunk watermain extension is approximately 2,100 lineal feet. Additionally, an 8-inch watermain line is proposed to extend down the Radium Street stub to the south, to serve future development to the south. Hydrants are proposed to be added at the corner of 157^th Lane and Nowthen Boulevard, 157^th Lane and Radium Street, and at the end of the stub on Radium Street. Because Halls Dover Acres is not in the MUSA, the project does not propose to extend sanitary sewer to the subdivision.
 
Staff has received some inquiries from residents if water and sewer will be available for hook-up during the project, though no formal requests have been made. Because the subdivision is not within the MUSA, sanitary sewer hook-ups would require a comprehensive plan amendment, and would delay the project beyond 2024 construction. There are some instances of properties within the City connecting to municipal water and not municipal sewer, staying on a private septic system, though it is not a common occurrence.
 
Staff would like Public Works Committee input on the following watermain decisions as part of this project:
 

• Does the Public Works Committee support the trunk watermain extension as part of this project?
  • If so, is the preference to extend only to Nowthen Boulevard, or complete the loop extension to Sodium Way off of Sunfish Lake Boulevard?
  • For reference, the corner of Nowthen Boulevard is approximately halfway along the 2,100 lineal foot route.
• Does the Public Works Committee support connections to the trunk watermain?
  • If so, do you wish for Staff to be pro-active and reach out to the residents along the proposed trunk watermain route, to see if they are interested in connecting?
  • Staff supports connections to the watermain if residents are able to make immediate connections, but would not support placing services out for potential connections only.

 
Preliminary Schedule Remaining

• Council Approves Plans and Specifications / Authorizes Ad for Bids
  • January 9, 2024
• Staff Receives Bids
  • February 21, 2024
• Council Awards Contract to the Lowest Responsible Bidder
  • February 27, 2024
• Contractor Begins Construction
  • Spring 2024
• Contractor Substantially Completes Construction
  • Watermain construction in-place
  • New bituminous pavement in-place, topsoil and seed in-place
  • August 2, 2024
• Contractor Final Completion
  • Watermain testing complete
  • Verify final restoration; punch list created
  • August 30, 2024

Notification is not required for this case.

Timeframe:
Staff estimates up to 20 minutes will be needed to present this case and respond to questions.
 
Observations:
Staff has completed the majority of design work for this project, though final plans have not been completed. To keep on a timeline for late winter / early spring project award Staff proposes to bring the final plans to City Council at the first meeting in January, which does not allow Public Works Committee to review the plans beforehand.
 
Estimates are CIP level, an updated estimate based on final plans will be brought to City Council during final plan approval and authorization to advertise for bids.

Funding for this improvement is proposed to come from Pavement Management Funds, Storm Water Utility Funds, and Water Utility Funds.
 

• Street Project Costs                $554,288
• Storm Sewer Project Costs     $55,429
• Watermain Project Costs        $250,000
• Total Estimated Costs             $859,717

Staff recommends completing the 12-inch trunk watermain extension from Potassium Street to the Sodium Way cul-de-sac off of Sunfish Lake Boulevard. Additionally, Staff recommends allowing service connections off of the trunk watermain to properties along the proposed route. However, Staff only supports allowing connections which will be ready for immediate hook-up, and does not recommend extending watermain in the subdivision beyond what is necessary for the trunk watermain loop connection.

Action:
Staff would welcome committee input on completion of the trunk watermain loop connection and individual service connections as part of this project. Additionally, input on the level of outreach to impacted residents as to availability of service connections, if desired.