PROJECT BACKGROUND Preliminary Design Scope and Tasks The purpose of this Study is the development of preliminary designs for intersection improvements for Trunk Highway (TH) 36 at the intersections of TH 120 (Century Avenue) and Hadley Avenue/CSAH 35, west of I-694. The scope of this Study includes evaluation of alternative intersection designs, interchange designs, concept level layouts for selected concepts, a preliminary layout of preferred concept, coordination with State, businesses, residents, City of Oakdale and City of North St. Paul staff/officials, Ramsey and Washington County staff/officials, Mn/DNR and Mn/DOT staff. The preliminary designs also must identify recommended access control and opportunities for supporting road connections in an attempt to conform to access spacing guidelines, public and private utility issues, storm water management options and wetland impacts and identification of other critical issues. Background Trunk Highway 120 (Century Avenue) is an A-Minor Reliever Highway that intersects with TH 36 approximately one mile west of Interstate 694 (I-694). This intersection is a fully developed signalized intersection, with a mix of highway oriented retail, and small industrial uses, that are adjacent to a fully developed residential area. The City of North St. Paul has commenced a re-development initiative in the southwest quadrant of the intersection. In addition, preserving access to the historical downtown district of North St. Paul is important to the community. Hadley Avenue/CSAH 35 is a local street approximately one-third of a mile west of the I-694, which is subject to intensive existing and proposed commercial-retail development and serves a large retail area just north of the intersection. Trunk Highway 120 serves as a north-south connection between I-694 and I-94. An interchange was originally considered back in the early 1990 s as part of the TH 36 Project through Maplewood and North St. Paul: however, the grade separation of that intersection was not pursued due to funding constraints. The intersection of TH 36 at Hadley has for years been planned as a retail-commercial intersection. The intersection is currently anchored by a Mills Fleet Farm and a 20 screen Marcus Cinema Complex. The City of Oakdale is under significant pressure to allow additional commercial development on both the north and south sides of the intersection. The preliminary findings of the 2010 Metro Highway System Investment StudyDistrict Highway Investment Plan and draft 2010 Transportation Policy Plan Amendment support no consideration of extensive mainline improvements on T.H. 36. The conversion of these intersections to interchange(s), when constructed, will eliminate all at-grade intersections along TH 36 inside the beltway leading and past Hilton Trail. It will also serve and improve the traffic operation of TH 36, which is a connection to a proposed river crossing (St. Croix River Crossing). At present, TH 36 has an ADT ranging from 34,000 to the west of TH 120, and 27,000 to the east of TH 120. Additionally, TH 120 has an ADT of 14,900 to
the south of TH 36, and 12,200 to the north of T.H. 36. Lastly, Hadley Avenue has an ADT of 8,100 cars to the south of TH 36. Summary of Work Tasks Contractor will assist in the development of alternate design concepts, conceptual level layouts, and a preliminary level layout for Washington and Ramsey County Board, City of Oakdale Council, City of North St. Paul Council, and State approval. This work will include determining alternate design concepts (anticipate ten) including intersection and interchange concepts, forecasting traffic using the Washington and Ramsey County Model/Regional Model. After the preferred concepts are identified (anticipate three), Contractor will prepare concept level layouts for the three concepts. A preliminary layout will be further developed for one (1) preferred concept to be used as a basis for official mapping purposes, and the foundation for future interchange design. This Scope of Work includes identification of up to three interchange configuration alternatives, including one interchange alternative that would serve both TH 120 and Hadley Avenue. An evaluation of each alternative must be developed to assist in the preferred alternative selection process. After completion of the alternatives analysis Contractor will document the decision process as part of the development of the preliminary design to be used for official mapping purposes. In addition, the Study will analyze the TH 120 corridor in the City of North St. Paul, between Holloway Avenue and 20 th Avenue East. The analyses will compare, but not be limited to, a review of traffic operations including Level of Service, access management alternatives developed in accordance with State policies, right-of-way implications, suggested implementation timeframe (i.e. could the alternative be split into logical pieces for stages implementation) and cost. Contractor will then prepare the preliminary layout for the selected TH 36 and TH 120/Hadley Avenue alternative. Tasks include: 1) Prepare the preliminary alternative concept analysis; 2) Provide traffic forecasts using State s 2006 Guidelines and capacity level of service determination for each alternative; 3) Develop construction limits for each alternative and facilitate the selection of a preferred alternate. The preliminary layout will also include water resource elements, the design of sidewalks, trails, pedestrian amenities and any other design elements required to meet State Aid Standards and meet requirements for State s layout approval. The preliminary layout will not be to the level of a staff approved layout, but, will need to include alignment, profile, cross-section, preliminary bridge, drainage, and other information to adequately define the geometrics, impacts and right-of-way needs of the alternative.
WORK TASK DESCRIPTIONS Task 1: Preliminary Design Management 1.1 Administration Administration of the project will include: 1) monthly progress reports; 2) A project log that documents decisions and discussions of issues affecting the project design, right of way needs, all required permits, approvals from all responsible public agencies; 3) invoicing; 4) cost and percent completion; 5) billing preparation; 6) other non-technical work; 7) communication with the necessary project personnel; and 8) all other work to ensure all the project tasks are completed on time, within budget and in accordance with state and federal laws, rules and regulations. Progress reports and invoices will be submitted on a monthly basis. The progress report will show the progress for the month and the progress to date for each task. 1.2 General Coordination General coordination of the preliminary design will include scheduling monthly project management team meetings, agency coordination meetings, as needed up to four (4), two (2) public open house meetings, utility meetings and any other meetings as required. 1.3 Quality Assurance and Quality Control Functions (QA/QC) Contractor will identify how they intend to perform QA/QC functions throughout the project duration to ensure delivery of a quality product s in a timely manner. Consistency in project management for this project is paramount. No changes in project management personnel will be made without a written notice to Mn/DOT requesting a change and the reason for the request. Task 2: Public and Agency Involvement Public and agency involvement are important factors for the success of this project. Preliminary design information will be presented and local coordination will be done to move the preliminary design forward. There are four (4) various meeting types that will be conducted as part of this preliminary design. Specific details are provided under each meeting type. 2.1 PMT and Design Specific Meetings Contractor will hold an initial kick-off meeting to confirm the basic preliminary design objectives to solidify a work plan and determine meeting frequency and obtain consensus on project requirements. On a monthly basis, Contractor will schedule, prepare for, attend and provide meeting minutes for the project management team (PMT). The PMT will meet monthly or bi-monthly to discuss design and concept development, public involvement, and agency related issues relevant to the project. The Cities of
Oakdale and North St. Paul (and other appropriate stakeholders that may be identified in the initial project kick-off meeting) will be invited to and be active participants along with State and the Counties in these meetings. 2.3 Public Open House Meetings Contractor will conduct two (2) public open house meetings. Contractor will be responsible for preparing written and display materials and exhibits, including general right of way information. Mn/DOT will be responsible for arranging meeting locations and logistics such as table, chairs etc. Following the meeting, Contractor will document and summarize any comments received for use by the agencies. Contractor will also prepare draft responses to written comments received. Mn/DOT, in consultation with the Cities and Counties, will review comments and responses, and supplement responses as needed, as well as send responses to the property owners and others submitting comments. 2.4 City Council/County Board Meetings Contractor will prepare presentations for and attend meetings with the various City Councils and County Boards as needed for this Study. The presentations will include any changes or new developments related to the project. The City(s) will be participating in the PMT process and will be expressing concerns regarding local issues as we proceed through the process. Municipal approval of the preliminary design document and State approval of the Staff Approved Level 1 preferred layout will be required. For purposes of the proposal, state a cost per meeting up to a total of six meetings. 2.5 Agency Coordination Contractor will coordinate with federal, state, regional and local agencies, as needed, to move the preliminary design forward. These meetings will be used to coordinate information relating to approvals and other forms of consent beyond the PMT meetings. Contractor will prepare for, attend and take minutes at these meetings. It is assumed that four agency meetings will be needed. Task 3: Develop Alternative Design Concepts and Traffic Forecasts At the outset, the Contractor will work with the PMT to develop up to ten (10) interchange and/or atgrade concept sketch solutions for consideration. From these concept sketches, the Contractor and PMT will work to select three (3) concept level layouts for alternative interchanges or at-grade solutions. At least one alternative will be a proposal to provide one combined interchange that would serve both TH 120 and Hadley Avenue. One concept shall be based on a low cost/high benefit solution that would be competitive in any regional solicitation. All alternatives will be developed with input from the Cities, Counties and the PMT. Alternatives may include modifications to the TH 36/I-694 interchange. A preliminary cost estimate will be done on each of the three concepts prior to selection of an alternate for development of a preliminary layout.
The Washington County Traffic Model used in the 2030 Washington County Comprehensive Plan will be used to develop forecasts consistent with the 2006 Minnesota Department of Transportation Forecasting Guidelines. Contractor will work with City(s) and County(s) planning staff to provide a development vision of development for the area served by this segment of TH 36 that is consistent with local plans for the area. Design concepts and the corresponding traffic forecast must include sufficient detail to accomplish the following: Develop lane configurations and right-of-way footprint in sufficient detail to perform planning level impact and cost estimates for each alternative Prepare planning level capacity analysis for comparison purposes for each alternative Prepare a comparison of the operational advantages/disadvantages for each alternative Task 4: Develop Preliminary Layout for selected alternative The preliminary layout will be submitted for consideration and approval to the Oakdale City Council, North St. Paul City Council, Washington County Board, Ramsey County Board and State for the selected interchange alternate will be required. The preliminary layout will be used as the template for future development. The scope of work will include the following tasks: 4.1 Preliminary Layout Develop a preliminary layout for the selected alternate configuration of the TH 120, Hadley Avenue, and TH 36 interchange. The layout will include all directly affected roadways from I-694 to McKnight Road and along TH 120 from TH 5 to I-694. The preliminary layout will not be to a level of staff approved layout, but, will need to include alignment, cross-section, preliminary bridge, drainage, and other information to adequately define the geometrics, impacts and right-of-way needs of the alternative. 4.2 TH 120 Access Management Develop a corridor layout for TH 120, between Holloway Avenue and 20th Avenue East, highlighting improved turning movements at key intersections, and access management alternatives developed in accordance with State policies, right-of-way implications, suggested implementation timeframe (i.e. could the alternative be split into logical pieces for staged implementation) and cost. 4.3 Identify Right Of Way Needs Identify construction limits for all right of way required for the project, to include:
1. Permanent right of way, temporary easements, drainage and utility easements and all other types of easements including pond sites, if needed. 2. Relocation needs, if any 3. Building setback issues 4. Right-of-way cost estimate 5. Develop maps detailing right-of-way limits and outlining the foot print of the three (3) concepts put forward for consideration. Task 5: Environmental Documentation 5.1 Wetland Delineation Wetland delineation, field review of National Wetland Inventory (NWI) mapping, calculation of impacts, and discussion of potential mitigation options, if appropriate. 5.2 Land Use Determine consistency with and impacts to existing land use plans and discuss how the project would impact these plans, any mitigation efforts, such as water resource plans, utility relocation, corridor allowances, rights of way, etc. 5.3 Phase I Cultural Resources Study Conduct a Phase I Cultural Resources study to identify potential historic and archeological sites. (Phase II studies, if any are needed, would not be conducted at this time, but rather conducted when the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Assessment is completed.) 5.4 Environmental Review Elements Noise mitigation studies in accordance with FHWA guidelines. Environmental Justice including demographic data analysis to identify any low income or minority populations and assessment of potential for disproportionate impacts. Right-of-way impacts including any relocations, (most of the right of way is already owned so this may be a minimum effort section)
Social and economic impacts including indirect land use impacts If Section 4(f) or 6(f) properties are affected, conduct avoidance/minimization analysis, identify mitigation (if anticipated) and determine likely future documentation needs. Bike, pedestrian and transit impacts Construction impacts Discussion of public and agency involvement REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK