DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
title
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 could be added to the Authority CIP to offset the use of other Dakota County funding sources.
Feedback from the Authority will guide the development of the Draft CIP, which will be further developed and presented to the Authority at a future meeting.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Information only; no action requested.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
None.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
Information only; no action requested.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: At-Grade Rail Crossings
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: Gina Mitteco