Adopt Resolution #14-11-234 Supporting Anoka County Federal Funding Application for Ramsey Boulevard/CSAH 56 Railroad Underpass Improvements.

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to adopt a resolution supporting Anoka County's solicitation for federal funding to construct a grade-separated crossing for Ramsey Boulevard/CSAH 56 at the Burlington Northern Sante Fe (BNSF) railroad tracks north of U.S. Highway 10.
 
Background:
The City of Ramsey and Anoka County are continuing coordination efforts for improving area transportation issues. Anoka County feels this project will help to address certain safety and mobility issues occurring in the area.  Anoka County has indicated they will apply for funding for a similar project for the Sunfish Lake Boulevard railroad crossing in the future.

Ramsey Boulevard/CSAH 56 is an “A” minor arterial expander route that provides an important north-south transportation connection in Anoka County.  Per the attached resolution, existing and future vehicle and train traffic volumes are such that safety currently is and will become a greater concern at this railroad crossing, and travel delay congestion is and will continue to negatively impact the ability of the corridor to move traffic.

In September 2014, the Cities of Ramsey and Anoka, along with MnDOT, Anoka County, and the Met Council, completed the Highway 10 Access Planning Study which indicated a grade-separated crossing of Ramsey Boulevard/CSAH 56 at the BNSF railroad tracks is warranted.

On October 28^th, 2014, the City Council adopted the Highway 10 Access Planning Study, thereby supporting the mutual goals and objectives of the agencies to improve the operations and safety of Highway 10 in balance with local community values.

The proposed grade-separated improvements to Ramsey Boulevard/CSAH 56 will also serve to improve access to Ramsey's Northstar Commuter Rail Station.

Anoka County desires to submit an application to the Transportation Advisory Board to the Metropolitan Council for 2017 - 2019 to receive federal transportation funds to construct these capacity and safety improvements on Ramsey Boulevard/CSAH 56. Applications are due December 1st, 2014.

Notifications were not required for this case.

Observations:
This improvement project is identified as an Opportunity/Development/Safety Driven project in the Highway 10 Access Planning Study Implementation Plan. Attached are several sheets from the Study, including two concept layouts showing the proposed Ramsey Boulevard/CSAH 56 underpass north of Highway 10, a concept layout showing the plan to acquire all properties between Highway 10 and the BNSF railroad tracks between Ramsey Boulevard/CSAH 56 and Armstrong Boulevard/CSAH 83, as well as the Implementation Plan.

If the underpass is constructed, Burger King's access along southbound Ramsey Boulevard will need to be removed.  As shown in the attached Highway 10 Access Planning Study sheets, this property is proposed to be acquired in the future but the loss of this access would need to be addressed during the design phase of the project.

A local match would be required if the County is successful in obtaining federal funding for this project.  While the application will identify this local match as Anoka County's match, the County plans to apply their standard cost-sharing agreement which would likely result in the City sharing in some of the local costs.  However, such costs would first need to be identified and presented to Council for further approval if the County is awarded the requested federal funding.

Also attached is a Letter of Support as requested by Anoka County.  This letter will also be included with the funding application.

Alternatives:
Alternative #1 - Adopt Resolution #14-11-234 supporting Anoka County federal funding application for Ramsey Boulevard/CSAH 56 railroad underpass improvements.
This alternative should be selected if Council supports the construction of an underpass of Ramsey Boulevard/CSAH 56 at the BNSF railroad tracks north of Highway 10.

Alternative #2 - Deny adoption of Resolution #14-11-234 at this time.
This alternative should be selected if Council does not support construction of an underpass of Ramsey Boulevard/CSAH 56 at the BNSF railroad tracks north of Highway 10.

As noted in the attached Implementation Plan, the estimated cost for the proposed grade-separated improvements is $11,500,000.  If Anoka County is successful in obtaining the requested federal funding, a local match will be required and the County is proposing to apply their standard cost sharing agreement formula to determine the City's share of the project costs. However, any cost share requests by the County would require further Council approval.

City staff recommends supporting Anoka County in applying for federal funding to construct the grade-separated improvements to Ramsey Boulevard/CSAH 56 at the BNSF rail crossing based upon the concept layouts attached.  If successful, federal funds would be awarded for construction in Federal Fiscal Years 2017 - 2019 through the Roadway Reconstruction/Modernization category.

Motion to adopt, or deny adoption of, Resolution #14-11-234 Supporting Anoka County Federal Funding Application for Ramsey Boulevard/CSAH 56 Railroad Underpass Improvements.