1A, Safe Routes to School Project Update

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Safe Routes to School Project Review - 03/16/09 we are recommending that we pursue constructing a culvert in this location. The original estimate included $9,300 to install a culvert, however, to meet Rice Creek requirements as well as meet the Federal pathway design guidelines, a larger culvert would need to be installed. Currently the cost of this culvert is estimated at $75,000. We are working with Rice Creek on finalizing this design. . Drainage Improvements: $13,,580 In the course of designing the project, we identified 2 areas that required drainage modifications. The first is just to the east of the easterly Valentine Hills driveway, the runoff from the road drains through a curb opening. In order to construct the pathway behind the curb, we need to install a catch basin. Leaving a curb opening and allowing the runoff to go over the pathway would create a safety hazard for pathway users. The other is at the intersection of Chatham and County Road E-2. Water sits at this intersection in the area that the pathway would cross the road. Having a puddle or an icy patch in the middle of a crosswalk is a less than desirable condition. To fix this we propose to re-grade the pavement and curb to direct the runoff toward a catch basin on County Road E-2. . Erosion Control- $6,,275 Because of the proximity of this project to existing wetlands, it is very important that erosion and sediment control measures are installed to prevent sand, soil and other construction materials from getting into the wetlands. 4. Engineering: When staff met with Mn/DOT to discuss the project development process required for developing the environmental documents, plans and specifications, they recommended that the engineering expense of $13,118.77 that was originally estimated as reimbursable be utilized for construction costs. This is because using the federal process engineering expenses are very difficult to get reimbursed. Therefore, staff allocated that portion of the grant to the pathway costs. Staff budgeted $48,464.37 in engineering fees for the SRTS project. To this date, approximately $30,381.22 in engineering costs have been incurred. UTILITIES Staff has reviewed utilities located along the pathway corridor and is making the following recommendations: 1. Private Overhead Utilities: The electrical poles along County Road E2, between Chatham and New Brighton Road, will need to be relocated to accommodate the pathway. The City Engineer has notified the private utilities on the poles and provided them a tentative schedule. Residents along County Road E2 are concerned about the appearance of these poles and have asked the City to either bury the power or move them to the other side of the road. 3