Sponsor: Public Works
Title
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Larpenteur Avenue Emergency Road/Culvert Repairs
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Recommendation
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1. Authorize the County Manager to approve and execute agreements and contracts directly related to this emergency in accordance with the County’s procurement policies and procedures, provided the amounts are within the available funding.
2. Authorize the County Manager to approve and execute amendments to agreements and contracts in accordance with the County’s procurement policies and procedures, provided the amounts are within the available funding.
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Background and Rationale
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Larpenteur Avenue east of Rice Street carries approximately 11,000 vehicles per day and is a vital east-west connection for vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists across the county as it borders multiple cities. Just west of the railroad tracks, Larpenteur Avenue crosses over Trout Brook. Two - 36” metal culverts allow Trout Brook to flow under the roadway. Holes in the pipes caused by rust and corrosion have created voids in the soils supporting the road surface. Without these soils to properly support the roadway, the pavement has begun to collapse forming a large hole in the surface of the pavement. This posed a significant safety risk and Larpenteur Avenue was closed to vehicular traffic on Monday, June 7. Pedestrian and bicycle traffic has been allowed to remain open using the sidewalk on the north side of Larpenteur Avenue.
Ramsey County Public Works’ staff and other impacted agencies have been assessing the damage in order to understand the magnitude of the needed repair. St Paul Regional Water Service (SPRWS) has two large diameter watermains that run parallel with Larpenteur Avenue and are also being impacted by the soil voids. Public Works staff have been developing a design plan to provide to road construction contractors in order to receive quotes to perform these emergency repairs. Contractors are being asked to review and provide quotes by Friday, June 18.
As Public Works staff have assessed the anticipated needed repairs and identified the additional complexities of diverting water for the active flowing Trout Brook, the need to protect the SPRWS watermains and the need to perform the work as soon as possible, it is possible that the costs to complete these emergency repairs will be greater than the $175,000 maximum allowed for emergency work to be approved by the county manager.
Public Works wishes to expedite these roadway/culvert repairs in order to minimize the risk of further damages to the roadway and subsurface utilities, which includes the two forementioned watermains. Expediting this work also opens Larpenteur Avenue sooner to all users which is beneficial to county residents and businesses that rely on this roadway. It also minimizes the impact of those residents and businesses that are located along the official and unofficial routes for detoured traffic.
Due to the timing of the public notice for the county board meeting and the timing in which quotes will be received from contractors, it is not yet known the cost to perform the work, nor the contractor that will perform the work. In order to expedite the approval of a contract and complete the repairs as soon as possible in order to open Larpenteur Avenue back up to all users, it is being requested to authorize the approval of a contract with a not-to-exceed amount of $450,000.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☐ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Larpenteur Avenue serves a racially and culturally diverse population in the area of Rice Street. Expediting repairs and allowing the road to re-open as soon as possible removes the extra cost, time, and impact by vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians traveling the detour route.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Larpenteur Avenue was closed to vehicle traffic on June 7. Agency partners (i.e., cities, SPRWS, railroad, Metro Transit, etc.) and other entities (i.e., emergency services, law enforcement, school bus companies, etc.) were notified by email of the closure. In addition, Ramsey County Communications developed a webpage and have used its communication channels to inform the public of the closure and posted the detour - <https://www.ramseycounty.us/residents/roads-transportation/current-roadwork/2021-road-construction-maintenance/larpenteur-avenue-culvert-repair> . As more details become known, the website will be updated.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The emergency repair expenses will be paid using wheelage tax funds from the 2020-2021 Public Works Capital and Operating Budget.
County Manager Comments
County board approval is required for emergency contracts over $175,000.
Last Previous Action
None.
Attachments
None.