6.1. SR 10-18-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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REQUEST FOR ACTION TO ITEM NUMBER Ma or and Ci Council 6.1. AGENDA SECTION MEETING DATE PREPARED BY Public Works October 18, 2010 ustin Femrite, P.E. ITEM DESCRIPTION REVIEWED B)/ Transportation Enhancement Application Lori ohnson, Ci Administrator REVIEWED BY ACTION REQUESTED Approve submittal of the `Eastern Area Trail and Mobility Improvements' project for Transportation Enhancement grant funding BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION We received solicitation on Monday October 4, 2010 from MNDOT for projects that qualify for Transportation Enhancement funding. This program is authorized under the Federal SAFETEA-LU bill and includes giant funding for projects that enhance the transportation network including pedestrian and bicycle facilities, scenic and environmental, or historic preservation type improvements. Last year the City of Elk River submitted an application for the funding of the Babcock Trail Phase II. That project was not selected during last year's solicitation due to the high cost for a short length of trail and the lack of ultimate connectivity to the east. In that application the City requested $500,000 of Transportation Enhancement Funding with an expected $400,000 being received from a DNR Legacy grant. The DNR Legacy grant was not received. As a result if we were to make application for Transportation Enhancement funding for the same project this year our request would be for $900,000. Generally the selection committee approves a number of Transportation Enhancement projects which collectively total $500,000 to $800,000 annually. With the high cost of the previously submitted project we have identified a different candidate project for submittal this year. The project is titled the Eastern Area Trail and Mobility Improvements. The improvements associated with the project are identified in the attached figure. The improvements would complete a continuous trail link along the east side of Twin Lakes Road from the Northstar Rail Station north to Trott Brook Parkway. In addition it will provide for mobility improvements including pedestrian ramps and sidewalks at the intersection of Line Avenue and Main Street. We believe this project will score higher with the review committee and better position the City of Elk River to receive funding. A firm cost estimate for the proposed project will be completed through the application process. We are confident this project will be far less costly than the Babcock Trail Phase II project. Through the preparation of the application we are prepared to increase or decrease the scope of the project to align with the anticipated funding amount through this program. N:\Public Bodies\Ciry Council\Council RCA\Agenda Packet\10-18-2010\Transportation Enhancementdoc