1A, County Road E & CP Rail Project

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�rYxrs`sYi �vss`' 4. The project location along Old Highway 10 is within Ramsey County's jurisdiction and will require approval and permitting from the County. To begin this process, Bolton & Menk has sent preliminary plans to the Ramsey County Engineer for review and comment. The design for the project includes relocating a section of guardrail on the north side of the bridge closer to the roadway. This is done to minimize retaining wall needs in that area. The relocation will ultimately need approval from the County. 5. Bolton & Menk completed the topographic survey for the CP Rail bridge crossing project. With that information, two additional constraints were identified which have an impact on the project design. First, a probable wetland has been identified just north of the bridge crossing, which creates an additional need for retaining wall on the project. Secondly, the survey also revealed a very shallow bury depth of the existing bridge abutment. This results in an increased amount of structural retaining wall necessary to restrain the bridge abutment. In consideration of these design influences and their impacts to the project, the project cost estimate was refined. Construction costs are estimated to be $310,000. Construction administration, observation, and staking are estimated to be $30,000. It should also be noted that construction of the trail crossing along the east side of the roadway would be expected to present similar constraints and cost implications. 6. Given the sensitivity of the CP Rail to any work within their right of way, especially in the vicinity of a bridge structure, no formal review or approval process is completed by them without final construction plans. The City's step by step process of first evaluating the feasibility of the crossing, then completing a topographic survey, then preparing the construction plans for approval lends itself to the uncertainty presented by the railroad in what they may ultimately allow. Once the final plans are completed to the satisfaction of the railroad, the City can proceed more confidently in acquiring actual contractor bids for the work as well as outlining the level of consultant oversight desired during construction. 7. The proposed alignment for the crossing begins and ends a short distance north and south of the bridge itself (approximately 50 feet south and 150 feet north). These termini will allow for future trails to tie into this segment. Most notably the alignment places the trail directly behind the bridge piers and 2 feet behind the relocated guardrail north of the bridge. The design profile for the crossing was created to tie into the existing roadway grades at both ends and allows for 14 feet of clearance beneath the bridge. This exceeds the minimum clearance required of 10 feet. The profile selected was created to moderate retaining wall needs both under the bridge (above grade) and adjacent to the wetland (below grade) north of the bridge. 8. Bolton & Menk understands that the City may choose to pursue State Aid funding to construct this project. Should this be the case, the plans for the project will need to be reviewed and approved by MN/Dot to ensure compliance with applicable standards. Along with that review process, a variance process may be needed to allow the trail to be built with narrower shoulder widths where the trail is being built between the bridge abutment and pier wall. Additional time would be needed to complete this review process if the City elects to utilize State Aid funds for the project. Please contact me to discuss these project developments or to answer any questions you may have as we move forward with the design process. DESIGNING FOR A BETTER TOMORROW Bolton & Menk is an equal opportunity employer.