Consider Recommending City Council Authorization to Prepare Plans and Specifications for 2025 Pavement Management Program Projects

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to consider recommending City Council authorization to prepare plans and specifications for 2025 Pavement Management Program Projects, which have not already received said authorization.
 
Background:
The proposed 2025 – 2034 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) identifies six (6) street reconstruction improvements and one (1) pavement overlay improvement for 2025.
 

• IP 24-13 Fox Ridge Estates 1^st & 2^nd Street Reconstructions
  • City Council approved plans and specifications and authorized advertisement for bids 11/12/2024
• IP 25-02 MSA Sunwood Drive (Nowthen Boulevard to Erkium Street) Reconstruction
• IP 25-03 MSA Alpine Drive (Sunfish Lake Boulevard to Saint Francis Boulevard) Reconstruction
• IP 25-04 Dickenson’s Mississippi Estate Street Reconstructions
  • City Council approved engineering design services proposal from Bolton & Menk to prepare final plans and specifications 7/23/2024. Services include topographic survey.
• IP 25-05 High Point Street Reconstructions
• IP 25-06 Sorteberg’s Street Reconstructions
• IP 25-07 2025 Neighborhood Pavement Overlay Improvements

 
Improvement projects 24-13 and 25-04 have already received formal City Council approval to prepare plans and specifications. Street segment summaries for the remaining four (4) street reconstructions and the pavement overlay improvement are attached to this case. Additionally, the 2025 Draft Pavement Management Program Projects Map is attached to this case.
 
Preliminary Design
On May 28, 2024 Ramsey City Council Resolution #24-138 ordered request for proposals for 2025 Capital Improvement Program projects topographic surveys, geotechnical services and utility testing. Staff will use the topographic surveys, geotechnical services, and utility testing as design aids for the proposed improvement projects. The Public Works Committee considered recommending City Council ordering these request for proposals on May 21, 2024, and unanimously approved.
 
            Topographic Surveys: On July 23, 2024 Ramsey City Council Resolution #24-198, awarded proposals for topographic surveys of four (4) proposed street reconstructions (IP 25-02; IP 25-03; IP 25-05; IP 25-06) to Hakanson Anderson. Staff has since received and reviewed the surveys, which confirmed the requested surveys are complete and thorough. Additionally, on October 22, 2024 Ramsey City Council Resolution #24-295, awarded a proposal for topographic survey of pedestrian ramps as required for IP 25-07 2025 Neighborhood Pavement Overlay Improvements. The surveys will be used to create an existing ground surface and locate features once project design begins.
 
            Geotechnical Reports: On August 12, 2024 Ramsey City Council Resolution #24-220, awarded proposals for geotechnical services of five (5) proposed street reconstructions (IP 25-02; IP 25-03; IP 25-04; IP 25-05; IP 25-06) to Independent Testing Technologies, Inc. The geotechnical services, including the geotechnical report will be used to help determine the required pavement section, if any soil corrections will be anticipated, and if utility work will require special backfill or groundwater considerations. Staff has received all reports and has done an initial review, which determined the reports were complete and met the requirements of the proposals.
 
            Sewer Cleaning and Televising: On November 12, 2024 Ramsey City Council Resolutions #24-309; #24-310; #24-311 awarded proposals for sewer cleaning and televising for IP 25-02, IP 25-03, and IP 25-04 respectively, to Hydro-Klean, LLC. The proposals require the cleaning and televising to be performed within 30 working days of notice to proceed, which is generally anticipated to occur by mid-January 2025. Televising of sanitary and storm sewer allows staff to determine if damaged pipes exist within the project area, and allows them to be addressed with the larger street reconstruction project.
 
Anticipated Project Scopes
            IP 25-02 Sunwood Drive Reconstruction: This project proposes to reconstruct Sunwood Drive between Nowthen Boulevard (CSAH 5) and Erkium Street. Sunwood Drive is a 40-foot-wide urban section with concrete curb and gutter, totaling 0.20 miles in length, with 5-foot wide concrete sidewalk on both sides of the street. The Average Daily Traffic (ADT) is 1,050. Sunwood Drive is a Municipal State Aid (MSA) street and must conform to MSA design standards, including meeting a 10-ton pavement design standard. Because the existing pavement section is only 4.2-inches of bituminous over 2.2-inches aggregate base (6.4-inch total section), the typical full-depth reclamation (FDR) process cannot be used to meet pavement strength design requirements. Staff is proposing to place 4-inches of new bituminous over 6-inches aggregate base. This will be achieved by removing the existing pavement and aggregate base, removing an additional 4-inches of subbase material, and placing 6-inches of new aggregate base and 4-inches of new bituminous pavement. The existing concrete curb and gutter is proposed to remain in-place with spot replacements, as well as pedestrian ramp improvements. In recent years, stabilized full-depth reclamation (SFDR) projects have been used to add strength and avoid excess subbase excavation. However, the minimum SFDR thickness is 4-inches, with 5-inches being more typical. In this case, achieving the minimum SFDR thickness would also require additional excavation, and no cost savings.
 
Review of the geotechnical report found clean sands, ideal for both utility and pavement support within the project area. Additionally, groundwater is not anticipated to be a concern for the street reconstruction.
 
Improvements to the existing municipal utilities are not anticipated. This will be confirmed with review of the televising reports.
 
CIP level estimated project costs for IP 25-02 Sunwood Drive Reconstruction are $348,450 ($303,000 MSA Funds; $45,450 Stormwater Utility Funds). Any repairs to the sanitary sewer or watermain would be paid for with associated utility funds.
 
            IP 25-03 Alpine Drive Reconstruction: This project proposes to reconstruct Alpine Drive between Sunfish Lake Boulevard (CR 57) and Saint Francis Boulevard (TH 47). The actual project tie-in points are proposed to vary in distance from the adjacent County roads within the project, due to relatively recently completed Anoka County Highway Department traffic signal improvements.
 
Alpine Drive between Sunfish Lake Boulevard (CR 57) and Nowthen Boulevard (CSAH 5) is 44-foot-wide urban section with an 8-foot bituminous trail on the north side of the street, and an 8-foot bituminous trail on the south side of the street on the western half of the area. The Anoka County signal upgrade at Sunfish Lake Boulevard from 2011, including turn lanes for westbound Alpine Drive, reconstructed approximately 460 linear feet of Alpine Drive east of Sunfish Lake Boulevard. The Anoka County signal upgrade at Nowthen Boulevard from 2014, including turn lanes for eastbound Alpine Drive, reconstructed approximately 660 linear feet of Alpine Drive west of Nowthen Boulevard. The ADT for this segment of Alpine Drive is 2,900. Review of the geotechnical report found clean soils under the pavement, however, groundwater was found within 3 feet of the pavement for an approximately 750-foot section of Alpine Drive which crosses wetland. Staff has observed pavement rutting in this area, likely caused by the high groundwater. The project is proposed to include raising a portion of this section of Alpine Drive, to give a minimum of 30-inches of separation between groundwater and the bottom of the pavement section. Staff is proposing to mill and overlay the 460 linear feet of Alpine Drive east of Sunfish Lake Boulevard. The 660 linear feet of Alpine Drive west of Nowthen Boulevard was found to be in good condition, and only refreshing the pavement markings is proposed in that section of Alpine Drive. Staff has noted several broken pieces of concrete curb and gutter, and is investigating if it would be more cost-effective to replace all curb in gutter in the reconstruction area between Sunfish Lake Boulevard and Nowthen Boulevard compared to spot repairs.
 
Alpine Drive between Nowthen Boulevard and Saint Francis Boulevard (TH 47) is a combination of 44-foot-wide urban and rural section with an 8-foot bituminous trail on the south side of the street, and an 8-foot bituminous trail between Krypton Street and TH 47 on the north side of the street. The Anoka County signal upgrade at Nowthen Boulevard from 2024, including turn lanes for westbound Alpine Drive, reconstructed approximately 740 linear feet of Alpine Drive east of Nowthen Boulevard (generally to Krypton Street). This was found to generally be in good condition, with only refreshing of the pavement markings proposed in this section of Alpine Drive. The ADT for this segment of Alpine Drive is 2,500. Review of the geotechnical report found clean sands, ideal for both utility and pavement support. The total project length of Alpine Drive between Sunfish Lake Boulevard and TH 47 is approximately 1.02 miles.
 
Alpine Drive is an MSA street and must meet MSA 10-ton pavement strength design requirements. To achieve this, staff is proposing to place 4.5-inches new bituminous over 5-inches aggregate base (9.5-inch total pavement section). The pavement cores produced as part of the geotechnical report found approximately 5-inches of bituminous over 4.5-inches aggregate base, which will allow the project to be built without additional subsoil excavation to achieve the proposed pavement section. The western 460 linear feet is proposed to only receive a 2-inch mill and overlay. Approximately 750 linear feet across the wetlands west of Nowthen Boulevard are proposed to be raised, which will require replacement of the concrete curb and gutter. Additionally, Staff will be reviewing the cost-effectiveness of replacing all concrete curb and gutter west of Nowthen Boulevard (in the areas proposed to be reconstructed). The section of Alpine Drive approximately 660 linear feet west and 460 linear feet east of Sunfish Lake Boulevard is not proposed to receive a bituminous treatment, only refreshing the existing pavement markings. The remaining pavement, generally between Krypton Street and TH 47 is proposed to be reconstructed using the FDR method with only spot curb and gutter repairs.
 
Bituminous trail exists throughout the project area, including on both sides of Alpine Drive for approximately half the project. In general, the bituminous trail is functional, but has deteriorated to a point where improvements to the trail are recommended. Staff is proposing to include reconstruction of the bituminous trail and associated pedestrian ramps as an alternative bid. In total there is approximately 7,600 linear feet of 8-foot bituminous trail within the project area. Replacement of this trail is not included within the CIP. Staff believes the majority of the trail should qualify for MSA funding if desired, but will look further into potential funding sources as part of the project design process. Staff estimates construction costs for the trail replacement at $250,000.
 
Staff has identified an unmarked crossing at Sodium Street, connecting the Alpine Acres subdivision with the Fox Knoll subdivision to the south. Alpine Drive is a 45 mph (high speed) road, staff does not support a crossing at this location and is proposing to remove the pedestrian ramp on the south side of Alpine Drive with this project. The bituminous trail continues west to Sunfish Lake Boulevard which provides safe crossings, including crossing westbound to Alpine Park; the most likely destination for local trail users in this region of the City. Additionally, a marked mid-block crossing exists between Nowthen Boulevard and Helium Street. There is only a footpath to the trail on the south side of Alpine Drive, and a marked crossing exists at Helium Street. Staff is proposing to eliminate the mid-block markings as part of this project.
 
The only known sanitary or storm sewer improvements are located in the wetland area west of Nowthen Boulevard. Two corrugated metal pipe (CMP) culverts are proposed to be upgraded to reinforced concrete pipe (RCP). In addition, two sets of storm sewer inlets and outlets to the wetlands exist in this stretch. By raising the roadway, at a minimum the catch basin castings will need to be adjusted, but may need to be replaced depending on how high the road is raised. Any additional repairs will not be known until the sewer televising reports are reviewed.
 
CIP level estimated project costs for IP 25-03 Alpine Drive Reconstruction are $1,121,573 (975,281 MSA Funds; $146,292 Stormwater Utility Funds). Any repairs to the sanitary sewer or watermain would be paid with the associated utility funds.
 
            IP 25-05 High Point Street Reconstructions: This project proposes to reconstruct the streets within the High Point and Section 22 Unplatted subdivision, generally located between Ramsey Boulevard and Zirconium Street, between 155^th and 157^th Avenues. The street within Section 22 Unplatted (156^th Avenue) are 26-foot urban with bituminous curbing and rural with drainage swales at the low point. The streets within High Point are 30-foot urban section with bituminous curbing and cross street valley gutters with drainage flumes at low points. The streets total approximately 1.67 miles in total length, traffic counts have not been taken within the project area.
 
Staff is proposing to replace the bituminous curbing with surmountable concrete curb and gutter. Where feasible storm sewer inlets and storm sewer piping will replace bituminous flumes and cross gutters to improve drainage. This will be further explored during project design.
 
Review of the geotechnical report found clean sands, ideal for pavement support within the project area. Additionally, groundwater is not anticipated to be a concern for the street reconstruction. Staff is proposing a pavement section of 3.5-inches new bituminous pavement over 6-inches aggregate base. The existing pavement section ranges from 6 to 8-inches thick. To achieve the proposed pavement section, additional subsoil excavation of 2 to 3-inches will be required.
 
During initial project review, staff identified the Zirconium Street cul-de-sac is in need of further discussion. The current City design standards require cul-de-sacs be built to a 100-foot diameter within a 120-foot right of way. The Zirconium Street cul-de-sac was built to a 165-foot diameter within a 200-foot diameter right of way. Placing the cul-de-sac back to this oversized diameter is financially undesirable, and staff proposes to explore several replacement options. Staff proposes bringing a separate case back to the Public Works Committee for further discussion once preliminary project costs for various options are known.
 
CIP level estimated project costs for IP 25-05 High Point Street Reconstructions are $1,986,165 ($1,727,100 PM Funds; $259,065 Stormwater Utility Funds).
 
            IP 25-06 Sorteberg’s Street Reconstructions: This project proposes to reconstruct the streets within the Sorteberg’s subdivision, which are generally located east of Armstrong Boulevard, one block south of Central Park. The streets are 30-foot wide urban section with bituminous curbing and curb cuts at the low points. The streets total approximately 0.54 miles in total length, traffic counts have not been taken within the project area.
 
Staff is proposing to replace the bituminous curbing with surmountable concrete curb and gutter. Initial review has shown depth is not available to place storm sewer inlets and piping at the low points, a combination of concrete valley gutters and flumes will be used for drainage at the low points.
 
Review of the geotechnical report found clean sands, ideal for pavement support within the project area. Staff is proposing a pavement section of 3.5-inches new bituminous pavement over 4-inches aggregate base made up of recycled reclamation. The existing pavement section ranges between 7.4-inches and 10.3-inches in total thickness, to achieve the proposed pavement section additional subsoil excavation is not required.
 
CIP level estimated project costs for IP 25-06 Sorteberg’s Street Reconstructions are $642,890 ($559,035 PM Funds; $83,855 Stormwater Utility Funds).
 
            IP25-07 2025 Neighborhood Pavement Overlay Improvements: This project proposes to mill and overlay public streets in eight (8) subdivisions within the City; Ramsey Town Center, Ramsey Town Center 2^nd, Ramsey Town Center 4^th, Ramsey Town Center 6^th, Ramsey Town Center 7^th, Ramsey Town Center IP 05-22, Rum River Hills, and Village of Sunfish Lake. The project totals 3.50 miles in length. All proposed areas are urban sections with varying street widths. Staff is not proposing any repairs to watermain or sanitary sewer with this project. Minor storm sewer structure repairs, typically re-grouting catch basins, is proposed. Additionally, any pedestrian ramps will be brought up to current ADA compliance. The project area is estimated to include 100 pedestrian ramps. Staff anticipates at least 75 of the pedestrian ramps will require replacement. This will be further explored during project design.
 
The streets within Ramsey Town Center 7^th; 146^th Avenue between Center Street and Rhinestone Street, and Traprock Street between 146^th Avenue and East Ramsey Parkway, were constructed in 2005 with only the first lift of bituminous pavement. This project includes removing the existing pavement, staff will determine if by milling or reclamation during project design, and placing two new lifts of bituminous pavement. During development, funds were received from Greenway Terrace and, more recently, the first phase of Parkside Townhomes, as a cost-share to pay for the wear course bituminous pavement. To date, the City has collected $14,500.00 from Greenway Terrace and $7,700.00 from Parkside Townhomes. Additional wear course fees will be collected as future phases develop frontage along 146^th Avenue or Traprock Street.  
 
Twenty-three (23) of the pedestrian ramps proposed to be replaced are connections to the trail system within The Draw Park, generally along Ramsey Parkway between Center Street and Ramsey Boulevard. The trail itself still has some useful life remaining, but is showing significant exposed aggregate. Staff proposes to include an alternative bid to mill and overlay the bituminous trails within The Draw Park. There are approximately 1,625 linear feet of trails and staff estimates construction costs of $130,000 to perform this work. Overlaying the trails are not included within the CIP, and does not qualify to use Pavement Management Funds. Potential funding sources will be explored during project design, and would be presented at time of plan approval.
 
CIP level estimated project costs for IP 25-07 2025 Neighborhood Pavement Overlay Improvements are $1,130,801 ($1,047,111 PM Funds; $69,190 Stormwater Utility Funds).
 
Project Timelines
City Staff is proposing to prepare plans and specifications for 2025 pavement management program projects in-house, as part of their normal duties. The following are the proposed general project timelines:
 
November 26, 2024    City Council Authorization to prepare plans and specifications
Dec 2024 / Feb 2025   Staff prepares plans and specifications
Feb / March, 2025       City Council approve plans, authorize bidding
March / April, 2025    Bid opening, City Council award contracts
Spring 2025                Begin Construction
Summer / Fall 2025    Finish Construction
 
Staff proposes to bid projects separately, but to bid and award projects as close together as practical, which generally allows for a better bidding environment for the City.

Notifications are not required for this case.

Timeframe:
Staff anticipates this case will take approximately 30 minutes to present and respond to questions.
 
Observations:
Estimates are CIP level and will be updated during the design process.
 
Alternatives:
Alternative #1: Motion to recommend City Council authorization to prepare plans and specifications for 2025 Pavement Management Program projects.
 
Alternative #2: Motion of other.

Funding for these projects is proposed to be a combination of Pavement Management Funds, Municipal State Aid Funds, and Storm Water Funds as identified in this case and within the proposed 2025 – 2034 Capital Improvement Program.

Staff recommends alternative #1.

Motion to recommend City Council authorization to prepare plans and specifications for 2025 Pavement Management Program projects.