Ad Hoc Committee on Reconstruction of Highway 110/Delaware Avenue Intersection.

Date: August 6, 2002
Present:

Kristi Sebastian, Dakota County Highway Department

Steve Misgen, MnDOT

Michael Kowski, MnDOT

Robert Larson, Administrator, City of West St. Paul

Skip Stefanick, Public Works, City of West St. Paul

Cari Lindberg, Administrator, City of Mendota Heights

Jim Danielson, Public Works, City of Mendota Heights

Frank Tiffany, Mayor, City of Sunfish Lake

Don Sterna, Consulting Engineer, City of Sunfish Lake

    Discussion centered on a proposed Cooperative Agreement between Dakota County and MnDOT. An application would be made by the County on behalf of the County and the three Cities involved by mid-October, 2002. A MnDOT Project Selection Committee would review the application in January, 2003 for possible funding for the 2004 construction season.

    Under a Cooperative Agreement, MnDOT could (according to MnDOT’s Cost Participation Policy) fund up to one-half the cost of replacing the traffic signals. The estimated cost of this part of the project is $250,000. In addition, the MnDOT Selection Committee may consider paying part of the cost of reconstructing the intersection to provide left-turn lanes on Delaware Avenue. The estimated cost of reconstruction is $280,000, for total project cost of $530,000.

    Dakota County has projected its share of the costs at $264,000 and is included in a draft of the 2004 Capital Improvement Projects. Under the formula used by the County, the Cities’ share would be $142,000, to be allocated proportionately to West St. Paul in the amount of $48,000 and to Mendota Heights for $94,000; Sunfish Lake being exempt as having a population under 5,000. However, Mayor Tiffany has obtained authorization from the SFL City Council to pay up to one-fourth of the Cities’ share. Under this revised formula, Sunfish Lake and West St. Paul each would provide approximately $35,500 and Mendota Heights $71,000. SFL can provide separate arrangements to reimburse West St. Paul and Mendota Heights for the differences..

    Representatives from MnDOT were impressed by the need for the project, and by evidence of community support, as evidenced by a petition drive which generated 200 signatures, and by a letter of support from the school district. A significant part of the rationale for MnDOT funding is that the present signal system is 20 years old and in need of replacement in any event.

    Dakota County will prepare a formal report and request for funding as a Category 1 project. This is classified as Preservation, in that there would be no new construction on Highway 110 with the possible exception of lengthening the left-turn lanes. The three Cities will be asked to pass formal Resolutions to participate in the application and to agree to the financial support noted above.

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