DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
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Discussion On Preliminary 2025 Draft Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority Capital Improvement Program
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Discuss the preliminary 2025 Draft Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority (Authority) Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
SUMMARY
The Authority was formed in 1987 under Minn. Stat. ? 398A, which grants broad powers to the Authority to plan, acquire, construct, and operate transitways and railroads. As part of the annual budget process, the Authority prepares a five-year CIP. The CIP identifies plans and projects that support the Authority's purpose and goals. The CIP program follows the general principles and prioritization shown below:
* Overarching CIP principles:
o Safety first
o Finish what we have started
o Honor funder/grantee commitments
* General Prioritization
o Priority 1: Projects already underway ("Finish what we've started")
o Priority 2: Projects that address asset, infrastructure, or resource deficiencies ("Fix what's broken")
o Priority 3: Strategic system growth and enhancement ("Meet demand")
o Priority 4: Pursuit of projects not in an adopted CIP ("Act on opportunities")
To continue this process, staff is seeking input from the Authority on the Draft 2025-2029 CIP and priority projects for inclusion.
Staff will discuss the potential to create a set aside in the Authority CIP to address existing at-grade railroad crossings of county highways in need of replacement. The set aside would allow county staff to identify priority crossings in need of replacement or enhancements based on age and condition. The pace of replacements and specific locations selected will depend heavily on the willingness and interest of railroads to participate. A map of existing at-grade crossings of county highways shows potential locations (Attachment: At-Grade Rail Crossings).
Staff will also discuss greenway projects with railroad crossing elements that ...
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