6.16. SR 04-17-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City of Elk River REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Agenda Section Meeting Date En ineerin A ril 17, 2006 Item Description TH 169 Environmental/Geometric Study Item Number 6.16. Prepared by Ter Maurer, Ci Reviewed by Introduction District 3 MnDOT has been planning for some time to undertake an Environmental/ Geometric Study ofTH 169 from Highway 10 in Elk River to Highway 95 in Princeton. This study is the next step in advancing the Inter-Regional Corridor (IRC) Plan for TH 169. However, MnDOT Central Office has recently pulled the funding for this study and several others around the State. Because of budget constraints, planning monies are only being spent on highways with programmed projects in MnDOT's 20 year plan. MnDOT is currently programming all of its money for preservation and or/ safety projects. TH 169 is considered an expansion project. Therefore, it is unlikely this study will be funded in the foreseeable future. Discussion Staff has had an opportunity to discuss options regarding this TH 169 Study and to review them with MnDOT officials during our recent spring tour. It is staffs opinion that this is a very important study to the City for a number of reasons. First, it will provide a framework for future development along TH 169, allowing the City to understand exactly what areas are needed to preserve for future interchanges. Second, it will advance the TH 169 Corridor projects to the point that if future administrations provide bonding money or other types of additional money to MnDOT to advance projects, the TH 169 Corridor projects will be able to compete for that money. Currently, with just the IRC Study, projects along TH 169 are not considered for money made available to MnDOT. In discussions with MnDOT, we believe it would cost approximately $1 million to undertake an environmental/ geometric study of TH 169 within the City of Elk River. MnDOT has already selected a consultant and negotiated a contract which currently is on hold due to funding being pulled. If the City Council were to fund this study within the City of Elk River, they could use the MnDOT selected consultant and the contract recently negotiated. MnDOT has indicated their willingness to act as the lead undertaking this study and to provide manpower to oversee the study. We have also talked with MnDOT regarding the ability to use Municipal State Aid Funds to pay for the study.