7C, Motion to Authorize Staff to Contract with Bolton & Menk

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PROJEC'T UNDERSTANDING According to the City of Arden Hills August 6, 2008 Request for Quotes, the City is seeking professional engineering services to complete a feasibility report for a future trail with improvements to the CP Rail Bridge along Snelling Avenue/Old Highway 10. The trail corridor begins at Minnesota State Highway 51 and runs north to Ramsey County Road 96. Snelling A venue between TH 51 and County Road E is a City street and Old Highway I 0 from County Road E to County Road 96 is a County road. A trail along this corridor will provide a pedestrian corridor for area residents, Bethel College and area parks. In general, the City's engineering consultant will be required to complete a feasibility study and report. The feasibility study will include a project description, background information, engineer's estimate and recommendations. The study will also discuss anticipated wetla~d impacts, wetland mitigation and associated permits. In addition, the study will evaluate the estimated costs associated with identified wetland impacts. PROJECT SCOPE & APPROACH According to the City of Arden Hill's Pathway Master Plan, a trail is proposed along Snelling Avenue/Old Highway 10 as a major north-south trail connection. The proposed trail will follow the street alignment on either the east or west side of the road and cross under the CP Rail bridge located north of County Road E. Bolton & Menk will evaluate two (2) alternatives for the trail construction. The first alternative will be along the west side of Snelling A venue/Old Highway 10. The second alternative considers construction of a trail along the east side of Snelling Avenue/Old Highway 10. Each of these alignments is illustrated on the Key Issues Maps included with this proposal. OUf evaluations will assess the feasibility and costs of each alternative, including their constructability, wetland impacts and mitigation requirements. For this study, we will utilize existing base maps and contour infonnation available from the City. Bolton & Menk has initiated preliminary discussions with Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD). RCWD representatives recommend meeting during the preliminary design phase to discuss design issues, wetland impacts., wetland mitigation and infiltration requirements due to the addition of ilupervious surface. Bolton & Menk intends on continuing these discussions with RCWD personnel during the preliminary design. A primary objective of this feasibility study will be to assess and compare the benefits and challenges presented by a trail alignment along either the east or west side of the roadway corridor. The following are special concerns and considerations, as summarized on the attached Key Issues Maps., which need to be addressed in evaluating these trail alternatives: ~ Evaluate trail constructability along steep embankments. ~ Evaluate trail constructability along ditch sections. ~ Evaluate need for retaining walls. ~ Evaluate wetland impacts. ~ Identify appropriate wetland mitigation efforts. ~ Minimize impacts to existing rain gardens. ~ Minimize tree clearing impacts. ~ Coordinate work under railroad bridge with the CP Railway. ~ Identify permitting requirements for construction of trail under 1-694.