DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Submit And Accept Grant Funds For 2024 RAISE For County Projects 50-33, 54-11
end
PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize staff to submit County Project (CP) 50-33 in the City of Lakeville and CP 54-11 in Ravenna Township to the 2024 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program and to accept the grant funds, if awarded.
SUMMARY
The Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) established the RAISE program, a competitive grant program to provide funding for surface transportation infrastructure projects that will improve safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, mobility and community connectivity, economic competitiveness and opportunity, state of good repair, partnership and collaboration, and innovation. Staff is proposing to submit CP 50-33 as a County-led application in the urban capital project category and CP 54-11 as a County-led application in the rural capital category to the RAISE grant program. For fiscal year 2024, the RAISE program has $1,500,000,000 available for funding across the nation, with not more than half of that amount available to rural projects. All of the projects mentioned are included in the 2024-2028 Capital Improvement Program. Applications are due February 28, 2024.
Project descriptions for the County-led projects are as follows:
• CP 50-33 includes the reconstruction of the bridge and interchange at Interstate 35 and County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 50 to replace the existing deficient interchange and accommodate strategic capacity needs on I-35. The current interchange concept would increase the capacity of CSAH 50 between 172nd Street and the I-35 South ramps to meet current and future traffic projections. The proposed reconstructed bridge and interchange would include strategic capacity improvements to I-35. Staff is requesting to submit a funding application requesting $25,000,000 to the RAISE grant program. Letters of support will be sought from the City of Lakeville, the Metropolitan Council, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and the Dakota County congressional delegation.
• CP 54-11 includes the reconstruction of CSAH 54 between Hastings and CSAH 68 with a roundabout at the intersection of these roads. Funding will also include the construction of an off-road trail that would serve as the eventual Mississippi River Greenway extension that will extend from the Hastings city limits to the Dakota County line. To be competitive, Dakota County is seeking letters of support from the Prairie Island Indian Community, the City of Hastings, and the Dakota County congressional delegation. Staff is requesting to submit a funding application requesting $25,000,000 to the RAISE grant program.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends submittal of CP 50-33 and CP 54-11 to the U.S. Department of Transportation RAISE grant program.
end
EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
None.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Transportation is requesting project submittals for Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program; and
WHEREAS, the RAISE federal grant program funds up to 80 percent of project costs in urban areas and slightly more than that in rural areas; and
WHEREAS, funding for County Project (CP) 54-11 will address safety and modern design improvements for County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 54 and integrate pedestrian facilities between Hastings and the Dakota County line; and
WHEREAS, CP 50-33, the Interstate 35 and County State Aid Highway 50 bridge and interchange project, will improve freight capacity and general mobility in the corridor, accommodate future growth and support economic development opportunities, promote safety, and enhance multimodal connections; and
WHEREAS, federal funding of projects reduces the burden on local taxpayers for regional improvements; and
WHEREAS, project submittals are due on February 28, 2024; and
WHEREAS, all projects proposed are consistent with the adopted Dakota County Comprehensive Plan; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby approves the submission of the Interstate 35 and County State Aid Highway 50 bridge and interchange project (County Project 50-33) and County Project 54-11, reconstruction of County State Aid Highway 54 and integration of pedestrian facilities to the U.S. Department of Transportation for the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant program and authorizes the Physical Development Director to accept grant funds, if awarded, and execute grant agreements subject to approval as to form by the Dakota County Attorney’s Office; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby approves requesting letters of support from cities within the project areas, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Council, the Prairie Island Indian Community, and the Dakota County congressional delegation.
end
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
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: Barry Becker