DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Contract With Stonebrooke Engineering, Inc. For Final Design, Execute Joint Powers Agreement With City Of Burnsville, And Amend 2026 Transportation CIP Budget For County State Aid Highway 38 (McAndrews Road) In City of Burnsville, County Project 38-61
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of a Professional Design Services contract with Stonebrooke Engineering, Inc. to complete the CSAH 38 Final Design project to address crash safety, mobility issues, and improve pedestrian and bicycle access along the corridor, County Project (CP) 38-61. Authorize execution of a joint powers agreement (JPA) with the City of Burnsville to establish cost share and project responsibilities. Authorize a budget amendment to the 2026 Transportation Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Adopted Budget.
SUMMARY
Dakota County, in partnership with the City of Burnsville, is advancing the CSAH 38 Final Design project along McAndrews Road from CSAH 5 to Aldrich Avenue S to address safety, mobility, and multimodal connectivity challenges. The corridor currently experiences high crash rates at Irving Avenue and 141st Street, operational issues for minor street traffic, and limited pedestrian and bicycle access.
Proposed improvements include:
• Constructing a roundabout at Irving Avenue
• Modifying and installing traffic signals (including Burnhaven Drive)
• Adding a new trail on the south side and improving crossings
• Implementing access management through medians and three-quarter intersections
• Completing mill and overlay design services along CSAH 5 between 140th Street and CSAH 42
These enhancements aim to improve safety, traffic operations, and connectivity for residents, businesses, and all modes of travel. The project builds on previous studies (2020 safety review, 2024/2025 corridor study) and incorporates MnDOT’s Level 1 Layout recommendations. The project is assumed to be federally funded, with an October 2027 letting and 2028 construction planned. This action is critical to maintain the October 2027 letting and 2028 construction schedule and ensure compliance with federal funding requirements.
Background
By Resolution No. 23-585 (December 19, 2023), and subsequent contract amendment by Resolution No. 25-089 (February 18, 2025), the original contract with Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc. focused on preliminary engineering and corridor study work to identify safety and mobility needs and develop a MnDOT Level 1 Layout for CSAH 38. At that time, final design was anticipated to begin in 2025 and therefore was not included in the 2026 CIP. However, staffing changes and extended public engagement delayed the award of the design contract. These additional efforts were necessary to refine alternatives, address community concerns, and position the project for federal funding eligibility. As a result, the final design contract with Stonebrooke Engineering, Inc. now requires a 2026 CIP budget amendment to maintain the October 2027 letting and 2028 construction schedule and ensure compliance with federal requirements.
Key design challenges include managing utility relocations, protecting critical electrical infrastructure, minimizing retaining walls, and ensuring ADA compliance for roundabouts. Safety remains the primary driver, with Irving Avenue and 141st Street ranked among the County’s highest crash locations.
Consultant Selection
An RFP was issued for comprehensive transportation project design services; three proposals were received and evaluated on project understanding, work plan, staff qualifications, and cost structure. Stonebrooke Engineering, Inc. was selected as the preferred value consultant based on its exceptional approach and thorough review of critical issues.
Cost Proposals:
|
Consultant |
Amount |
Hours |
Cost/Hour |
|
SEH |
$1,157,563.75 |
6,200 |
$187 |
|
Bolton & Menk |
$1,025,532.00 |
5,987 |
$171 |
|
Stonebrooke Eng. |
$899,966.00 |
5,977 |
$151 |
Stonebrooke Engineering, Inc. demonstrated superior alignment with project needs and goals to deliver Final Design and related engineering services.
By Resolution No. 12-511 (October 23, 2012), the County Board adopted the Advance Funding City Cost Share Policy for Transportation CIP Projects (AF Policy). The City of Burnsville has requested to use this policy to advance its full estimated 2026 design cost share of $175,027 for CP 38-61, as it does not currently have funds programmed in their budget. Burnsville proposes to reimburse the County in full by May 2027, consistent with the AF Policy, and the 2026 Transportation Capital Improvement Program (CIP) has sufficient capacity to accommodate this advance.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends execution of a Final Design contract with Stonebrooke Engineering, Inc. for professional design services for County Project 38-61 (CSAH 38 Final Design) for actual costs not to exceed $899,966.00, and execution of a Joint Powers Agreement with the City of Burnsville.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The 2026-2030 Transportation Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Adopted Budget does not include funding for preliminary and final engineering for County Project (CP) 38-61. A budget amendment is necessary to increase the project budget by $899,966.00 for consulting services.
For the design phase, the consultant contract for preliminary and final engineering will be cost-shared at 80 percent Dakota County and 20 percent City of Burnsville, based on blended cost share, in accordance with the adopted County Cost Share Policy and the Joint Powers Agreement (to be executed). This allocation ensures equitable participation by both agencies in advancing the final design of the CSAH 38 corridor.
Cost participation for this project is based on a preliminary cost estimate that follows Dakota County’s Highway Cost Share Policy:
• Preservation work, including mill and overlay and trail resurfacing (Policy F.1), is funded 100 percent by the County.
• Roadway reconstruction and trail conversion under Replacement and Modernization (F.1) are shared at 85 percent County and 15 percent City.
• Traffic signal costs (F.4) are split based on approach legs:
o New signal installation at Burnhaven Drive: 55 percent County / 45 percent City
o Modifications to existing signals at CSAH 38 and CSAH 5: 75 percent County / 25 percent City
• The roundabout at Irving Avenue (F.13) is allocated per approach leg, resulting in approximately 55 percent County / 45 percent City participation, excluding aesthetic elements.
The total estimated project cost is $13,000,133, with the County share at $10,431,688 and the City share at $2,568,445, representing an overall blended estimated cost participation of approximately 80 percent County and 20 percent City.
Current Budget
CP 38-61 CSAH 38: CSAH 5 to E of Burnhaven Dr - Intersection Improvements
|
Funding Source |
Total Budget |
Available Budget |
|
Transportation Fund Balance |
$313,987 |
$11,776.84 |
|
Total |
$313,987 |
$11,776.84 |
Amended Budget
CP 38-61 - CSAH 38: CSAH 5 to E of Burnhaven Dr - Intersection Improvements
|
Funding Source |
Amended Budget |
|
CSAH |
$719,973.00 |
|
City Cost Share (Advance Funding) |
$179,993.00 |
|
Total |
$899,966.00 |
☐ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☒ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, Dakota County, in partnership with the City of Burnsville, is proceeding with County Project (CP) 38-61 to improve safety, mobility, and multimodal access along CSAH 38 (McAndrews Road); and
WHEREAS, Dakota County is the lead agency for CP 38-61 final design; and
WHEREAS, the Adopted 2026 Transportation Capital Improvement Program (CIP) does not include sufficient funding for design services; and
WHEREAS, a budget amendment is required to increase the consultant design services budget by $899,966.00; and
WHEREAS, the Transportation Department issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) and evaluated three proposals; and
WHEREAS, Stonebrooke Engineering, Inc. submitted the most complete and responsive proposal; and
WHEREAS, the City of Burnsville concurs with this recommendation; and
WHEREAS, cost participation for construction will follow adopted County policy, and design phase cost participation will be 80 percent Dakota County and 20 percent City of Burnsville, consistent with the Joint Powers Agreement to be executed; and
WHEREAS, the County Board adopted the Advance Funding City Cost Share Policy for Transportation CIP Projects (AF Policy). The City of Burnsville has requested to use this policy to advance its full estimated 2026 design cost share of $179,993.00 for CP 38-61, as City does not currently have funds programmed in their budget. Burnsville proposes to reimburse the County in full by May 2027, consistent with the AF Policy, and the 2026 Transportation Capital Improvement Program (CIP) has sufficient capacity to accommodate this advance.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorizes the Transportation Director, or their designee, to execute a contract with Stonebrooke Engineering, Inc. for engineering design consulting services for CP 38-61 in an amount not to exceed $899,966.00, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes a budget amendment to increase the CP 38-61 budget by $899,966.00 utilizing CSAH funds and City participation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the 2026 Transportation Capital Improvement Program is amended as follows:
Expense
County Project 38-61 $899,966
Total Expense $899,966
Revenue
City of Burnsville (Advance Funding) $179,993
CSAH $719,973
Total Revenue $899,966
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
25-089; 02/18/25
23-585; 12/19/23
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Location Map
Attachment: Consultant Evaluation Summary
BOARD GOALS
☒ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Erin Laberee
Author: Saeed Kanwar