DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Consultant Contract With Erickson Engineering Company, LLC For Bridge Design Services In Vermillion Township, County Project 85-23
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the execution of a consultant contract with Erickson Engineering Company, LLC for continuing design services for County Project (CP) 85-23 in Vermillion Township (Attachment: Project Location Map). The previous contract, Contract #C0036013, expired on October 31, 2023.
SUMMARY
To provide a safe and efficient transportation system, Dakota County planned the rehabilitation of Bridge 19504, which needs a bridge deck replacement. The bridge is located on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 85 over the Vermillion River in Vermillion Township. The rehabilitation of the bridge over Vermillion River in Vermillion Township on CSAH 85 is a crucial step towards ensuring a safe and efficient transportation system for our community. To achieve this goal, Bridge 19504 for County Project (CP) 85-23 was planned for rehabilitation. This included the replacement of the bridge deck, which plays a pivotal role in our transportation infrastructure.
By Resolution No. 22-448 (October 18, 2022), the County Board authorized a contract with Erickson Engineering Company, LLC for engineering design services for two bridges in Dakota County, including CP 31-107 for Bridge 19512 in the City of Farmington and CP 85-25 for Bridge 19504 in Vermillion Township. This consultant was selected for the project based on their extensive experience and proven track record in bridge engineering. The original contract with Erickson Engineering Company, LLC (Contract #C0036013) expired on October 31, 2023.
The initial scope of the contract was to gather/review available documentation for each bridge, perform existing condition inspections of the two bridge structures, provide rehabilitation recommendations and options, and prepare design plans and specifications for their rehabilitation. After thorough preliminary engineering and inspections, the consultant discovered significant issues with Bridge 19504 for CP 85-23 in Vermillion Township. The bridge demonstrated failures in multiple areas regarding the beam design, and the bridge deck was found to be in poor condition. These findings were detailed in a recommendation report provided by the consultant. After initial inspections, it was determined that in order to meet current Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Load and Resistance Factor Rating (LRFR) standards, the bridge would need to be widened by six feet, triggering a need to also modify the bridge substructures and introduce additional piles on either end of the bridge. Given these necessary upgrades, Erickson Engineering Company, LLC recommended a complete bridge replacement to ensure the bridge can meet future bridge and traffic load needs. This decision was based on a comprehensive understanding of the bridge's condition and to ensure we can bring the bridge up to current state-aid standards.
The contract between the County and Erickson Engineering Company, LLC for Bridge 19504 in Vermillion Township for CP 85-23 needed to be re-evaluated due to the project's changing scope from rehabilitation to full bridge reconstruction. This re-evaluation process involved a thorough review of the project's new requirements and their impact on the original contract. The Bridge in Farmington for CP 31-107 (Bridge 19512) also had to be removed from the scope of this contract since Bridge 19512 over the Vermillion River will be part of a more significant future County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 31 reconstruction in the City of Farmington.
Through a collaborative effort between County staff and Erickson Engineering Company, LLC the project was successfully rescaled to reflect the updated scope of work. (Attachment: Updated Design Proposal). It was determined that the balance remaining on the original contract of $113,648 is sufficient to proceed toward continuing bridge design services to ensure project completion. To move forward, a new contract needs to be executed with Erickson Engineering Company, LLC for the updated scope of services for the final design.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends execution of a contract with Erickson Engineering for continuing consultant design services, in the amount not to exceed $113,648, which is also the balance of the remaining funds on the previously expired contract, #C0036013.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The 2024 Transportation CIP budget includes $1,100,000 in total funding for CP 85-23. County Project 85-23 has sufficient fund balance to continue the design contract for the project.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, to provide a safe and efficient transportation system, Dakota County evaluated the need for rehabilitating Bridge 19512 and Bridge 19504 with County Projects 31-107 and 85-23; and
WHEREAS, Bridge 19512 is located on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 31 over the Vermillion River in the City of Farmington; and
WHEREAS, Bridge 19504 is located on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 85 over the Vermillion River in Vermillion Township; and
WHEREAS, Erickson Engineering Company, LLC was selected originally to complete engineering consulting services to address bridge rehabilitation needs for the two bridge projects due to their strong technical expertise and experience working with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) bridge office; and
WHEREAS, By Resolution No. 22-448 (October 18, 2022), the County Board authorized a contract with Erickson Engineering Company, LLC for engineering design services to complete bridge inspections and rehabilitation plans for CP 31-107 and CP 85-25; and
WHEREAS, after bridge inspections were completed by Erickson Engineering company, LLC for Bridge 19504 in Vermillion Township it was determined that a full reconstruction of Bridge 19504 is needed to bring the bridge up to current MnDOT state-aid standards and adequately address future bridge needs; and
WHEREAS, County staff worked with Erickson Engineering Company, LLC to rescope the project appropriately and determined that the balance remaining on the original contract of $113,648 is sufficient to proceed towards completion; and
WHEREAS, the original contract (Contract #C0036013) with Erickson Engineering Company, LLC expired on October 31, 2023, and a new contract is necessary to advance the final design engineering; and
WHEREAS, the 2024-2028 Transportation Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Adopted Budget includes sufficient funding for CP 85-23; and
WHEREAS, County staff recommends the execution of a contract with Erickson Engineering Company, LLC to continue bridge design services for Bridge 19504 for CP 85-23.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Physical Development Director to execute a contract with Erickson Engineering Company, LLC for bridge design services for County Project 85-23 for $113,648, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
22-448; 10/18/22
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Project Location Map
Attachment: Updated Design Proposal
Attachment: Financial Summary
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: Hassan Hussein