DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
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Update On Design Alternatives For Interchange Improvements At County State Aid Highway 50/5 And Interstate 35 In City Of Lakeville, County Project 50-33
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Receive an update and information on design alternatives to improve the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 50/5 interchange with Interstate 35 (I-35) in the City of Lakeville.
SUMMARY
To provide a safe and efficient transportation system, staff proceeded with work on County Project 50-33 under Contract No. DCA21560, authorized by Resolution No. 24-204 (April 23, 2024), which also confirmed the use of State of Minnesota grant funds to reimburse contract costs. The project is consistent with the adopted Capital Improvement Program and project development needs at the junction of I-35 and CSAH 50/5 in Lakeville. County Project 50-33 will address roadway safety and mobility needs at the major junction, including replacement of County and City roadway infrastructure and bridges. Limited reconstruction along I-35 will also be included.
Dakota County’s team proceeded with the project’s preliminary design work in partnership with the City of Lakeville and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). The interchange project is now planned for 2028-2029 construction, with current project management goals addressing the need to submit a recommended geometric layout to MnDOT for review by February 1, 2025, as encouraged by Minn. Stat § 161.178 Transportation Greenhouse Gas Emissions Impact Assessment.
County staff and the consultant have now completed studies of current and future safety and traffic problems; identified, refined, and evaluated many design alternatives; and developed preliminary recommendations. On September 9, 2024, the County held a public open-house meeting, with 120 attending. Public outreach also includes contact with owners and tenants adjacent to the interchange project area. The second public open-house meeting will be scheduled in the first quarter of 2025.
The County’s contract work has confirmed the need for a project based on traffic and safety measures approaching or exceeding thresholds of concern and the need to soon replace the I-35 bridges over the County roadway. The project partners have developed and reviewed numerous alternatives for an improved interchange. The objectives and criteria included safe and efficient traffic service to at least 2050, accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists, local roadway connections, and the scale/cost of the alternatives and impacts. Based on detailed review of five design concepts, staff has narrowed the choice down to two design alternatives. The recommended interchange design will be confirmed for feasibility and refined for submittal to MnDOT by February 1, 2025. The design will also be subject to further technical review, public input, formal approvals, and funding-program work.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Information only; no action requested.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The 2024 Transportation Capital Improvement Program Adopted Budget included an approved budget in the amount of $6,240,000. State of Minnesota Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) Grant funds were awarded to Dakota County in a 2021 state appropriation, and $1,466,232 from the LRIP Grant was applied to the current consultant contract under a reimbursable program (Dakota County Contract No. DCA21726 with MnDOT). A federal earmark of $5.04M was also awarded to County Project 50-33 in 2023 and must be matched with 20 percent local funds and obligated by September 30, 2026. Additional funding sources will be pursued to address costs through construction planned for 2028-2029. Preliminary construction estimates in 2024 range from approximately $40 million to $52 million, not including right-of-way costs.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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Information only; no action requested.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
24-204; 4/23/24
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Project Location Map
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Erin Laberee
Author: Doug Abere