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MnDOT Metro District Proposed 2007-2010 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Amendment. Metropolitan Council January 17, 2007. Purpose. Present background information on I-35W/ Crosstown project
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MnDOT Metro District Proposed 2007-2010 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Amendment Metropolitan Council January 17, 2007
Purpose • Present background information on I-35W/ Crosstown project • Present information on proposed 2007-2010 TIP amendment that will come to the Metropolitan Council for action January 24 • Answer questions
I-35W/Crosstown Project Background • Project limits: On I-35W from 66th St (Richfield) to 42nd St. (Minneapolis). On TH 62 from Portland Ave to Penn Ave. • Description: • Reconstruct 4 miles of I-35W and 2 miles of TH 62. • Eliminate the forced weaving in the commons area by separating the two roadways. • Expand I-35W from 3 lanes in each direction north of TH 62 to 4 general purpose lanes plus 1 HOV/Bus Rapid Transit lane each direction. • Build an on-line transit station at 46th St.
Project Background (continued) • Project Need: • Common Section and adjacent highway segments constructed in middle to late 1960’s; design was criticized shortly after opening. • Crosstown Commons interchange carries an average of 240,000 vehicles per day. • Crash rates are up to 5 times higher than the average for metropolitan urban freeways. • Bridges are deteriorated. • Congestion extends through most hours of the day.
Project Background (continued) • Project Priority • Interchange area has been identified as a major deficiency in the Metropolitan Council’s Transportation Plan since 1983 • Project has been under development by MnDOT since mid-1980’s • Identified as a recommended project by the Metropolitan Council in the Transportation Policy Plan since 1989.
Project Background (continued) • In 2001, MnDOT was preparing to begin construction of a redesigned interchange. • The Minnesota Legislature placed a moratorium on the project, and required MnDOT to study other designs that added more capacity and did not result in long closures during construction. • The current design responds to those concerns.
Current Project • The I-35W Crosstown project was advertised in April 2006 but received no bids. • Comments from prospective bidders as to why no bids: • Cost estimate appeared too low • Proposal would have required contractor to work in advance of payment availability over course of 4-year project.
Revised Cost Estimate • FHWA asked MnDOT to perform a risk analysis to identify where costs are likely to be at risk for increase over previous estimate. These areas are considered to be: • Structural concrete, traffic control, mobilization, inflation, segmental bridges, traditional bridges, single bidder, disincentives, financing. • A revised payout curve eliminated the need for contractor to finance work to meet proposed schedule. • Revised cost estimate is now $285M (from previous $251M)
Need for TIP Amendment • In order for the project to move forward toward federal authorization, federal rules require a TIP/STIP amendment to identify the additional funds necessary for this project, and to maintain fiscal balance within the 2007-2010 TIP. • Additional cost increases for Phase 2 of TH 12 near Long Lake are also included in this amendment.
Fiscal Balance • Both increased funds and project deferral are needed to maintain fiscal balance. • Use of Bond Accelerated Program Transit Advantage funds • Additional State Trunk Highway funds • Temporary deferral of TH 169/CR 81 interchange in Brooklyn Park from SFY 2008 to SFY 2010
Program Impacts Proposed TIP amendment : • Continues to fund Metro preservation and safety project under construction and in the program • Allows I-35W/Crosstown project to move forward to a March 30, 2007 letting • Temporarily defers TH 169/CR 81 interchange from spring 2007 to spring 2009.
Other Considerations • MnDOT remains committed to delivering the TH 169/CR 81 project. • Plan development, project approvals and municipal consent process will continue as scheduled. • This project is positioned to be constructed earlier should new or additional funding be available.
Next Steps (as anticipated) • Metropolian Council Transportation Committee recommendation Jan 22 • Metropolitan Council adoption Jan 24 • MnDOT STIP amendment approval Jan 25 • FHWA STIP amendment approval Jan 26 • FHWA project authorization Jan 26 • Project advertised for bidding Feb 2 • Bid opening March 30 • Contract award April 30 • Contract approval May 21 • Contract start May 29