Sponsor: Public Works
Title
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Grant Applications to the Minnesota Department of Transportation for Safe Routes to School Funding Requests for the Koehler Road Trail Project and the Lexington Avenue Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon Pedestrian Crossing Project
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Recommendation
recommendation
1. Support construction of the Koehler Road trail project and the Lexington Avenue Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon pedestrian crossing project and agree to maintain such improvements.
2. Support submittal of the Koehler Road trail $500,000 Safe Routes to School grant application request and the Lexington Avenue Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon pedestrian crossing $80,000 Safe Routes to School grant application request.
3. Provide assurance that all costs associated with the Koehler Road trail project and Lexington Avenue Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon pedestrian crossing project beyond the Safe Routes to School grant awards will be paid for with county and city funds.
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Background and Rationale
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The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is currently soliciting grant applications for $8 million of Safe Routes to School (SRTS) state grant funding available through a competitive statewide solicitation process. The primary purpose of SRTS grants is to assist counties, cities, townships, school districts and federally recognized tribes provide multi-use trails, sidewalks, pedestrian crossings and other related infrastructure so students can safely bike and walk to school. SRTS full grant applications are due January 14, 2022. MnDOT is expected to announce SRTS grant awards by March 4, 2022. For further details about SRTS grant application and SRTS solicitation process please visit the following Minnesota Department of Transportation’s website link: <http://www.dot.state.mn.us/saferoutes/infrastructure-grants.html>
The Koehler Road trail project is located in the city of Vadnais Heights and would provide a new shared used bicycle and pedestrian trail from Edgerton Street to Centerville Road, addressing a critical bicycle and pedestrian facility disconnect to nearby Vadnais Heights Elementary School. This project is proposed for construction in 2023 with a total estimated cost of $847,000. A letter of support for the application has been provided by White Bear Lake Area Schools. The city of Vadnais Heights is also in the process of approving a resolution of support for the application and their pro-rata share of local cost participation.
The Lexington Avenue Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) pedestrian crossing project is located at the intersection of Lexington Avenue and Royal Oaks Drive in the city of Shoreview at Turtle Lake Elementary School. The proposed RRFB pedestrian crossing at this location would significantly improve pedestrian visibility and safety along this high speed and highly traveled segment of Lexington Avenue. The project is proposed for construction in 2022 with a total estimated cost of $140,000. A letter of support for the application has been provided by Mounds View Area Schools. The city of Shoreview is also in the process of approving a resolution of support for the application and their pro-rata share of local cost participation.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
The Lexington Avenue RRFB pedestrian crossing project will benefit Turtle Lake Elementary School which includes a student population of 72% white, 14% Asian, 4% Hispanic and 3% Black/African American and 7% other. The Koehler Road trail project will benefit Vadnais Heights Elementary School which includes a student population of 56% White, 24% Asian, 6% Hispanic, 6% Black/African American and 8% other.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Public outreach for the Koehler Road trail project and Lexington Avenue RRFB pedestrian crossing project is being coordinated with the city of Vadnais Heights/White Bear Lake Area Schools and the city of Shoreview/Mounds View Area Schools. Online parent surveys have been conducted for both projects to collect data regarding the number of student bikers and walkers and the overall safety of bicycling and walking infrastructure in the vicinity of the schools and nearby neighborhoods. Both projects are also planning open house meetings to share proposed project design concepts and tentative implementation schedules if SRTS grant awards are secured.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The total cost for the Koehler Road Trail project is estimated at $847,000. Funds for the project are included in the preliminary 2022-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). If a grant is awarded by MnDOT for this trail, the county will receive up to $500,000 in state SRTS funding. Any remaining balance of project costs not funded by the SRTS grant will be paid for with county state-aid and local funding from the city of Vadnais Heights.
The total cost of the Lexington Avenue RRFB pedestrian crossing project is estimated at $140,000. Funds for the project are included in the preliminary 2022-2026 TIP. If a grant is awarded by MnDOT for this pedestrian crossing, the county will receive up to $80,000 in state SRTS funding. Any remaining project costs not funded by the SRTS grant will be paid for with county state-aid funding and local funding from the city of Shoreview and the Mounds View School District.
County Manager Comments
No additional comments.
Last Previous Action
No previous action.
Attachments
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