10-21-19-WS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — October 21, 2019 3 B. Old Snelling Avenue and County Road E Improvements Update Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom stated that he wanted to give a status update on the study that is underway for Old Snelling Avenue and County Road E. The project is on the City's Capital Improvement Plan with an estimated cost of $2,850,000 for the roadway improvements and the City's share of the proposed roundabout. The roundabout is also on the Ramsey County Transportation Improvement Plan, estimated at $1.5 million in County funds and $375,000 in City funds. Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom said that at the September PTRC meeting the committee identified a trail on Old Snelling Avenue from Highway 51 to Highway 96 as a top priority, focusing on County Road E to Highway 51. Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom said the water mains that are in the corridor are cast iron, much of it over 50 years old and brittle. It is located either in the roadway or directly adjacent to the roadway. He reviewed a map identifying segments of water main proposed to be replaced along with the project. All the water mains could be replaced if the Council wished to expand the project. Much of the sanitary sewer is outside the roadway corridor. There is a segment that needs to be replaced with the project. Much of the storm sewer would need to be reconfigured if the roundabout goes forward. There is considerable deterioration on the northern section and Ramsey County has identified the need for rehab or replacement. Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom noted there are wetlands along the corridor. SEH has prepared a summary report and submitted it to the Rice Creek Watershed. The report is still under review. Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom explained two schematic options were developed for the intersection. The first is centered at the existing intersection, the second option is shifted to the east. Final design may bring the roundabout somewhere in the middle of the two options. Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom discussed the roadway design options. The first option is to replace the road as it is today, not add a trail, and maintain the eight foot shoulders. Other alternatives include narrowing the road to two 12-foot lanes with two six- foot shoulders and having a separate trail. Another option is to add curb and gutter with a trail separated from the curb, or expand the trail to 10-feet wide directly adjacent to the west curb line. Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom reported there are complicating factors. Fifteen soil borings were taken along the corridor, drilled to a depth of about 15 feet. Lab results have not been received. Hydrocarbon odors were detected by human smell in ten borings at variable depths. Staff recommends testing for hydrocarbons and potential contaminants. The roadway borings also had irregular base and pavement sections. Discussion ensued regarding preliminary cost estimates and potential special assessments. Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom said next steps include receiving the soil boring lab tests, completing the pavement section design, conducting an environmental