DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Execute Contract With Bolton & Menk, Inc. For Engineering Consulting Services For County State Aid Highway 31 (Pilot Knob Road) Visioning Study In Cities Of Apple Valley And Eagan, County Project 31-119
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Dakota County, in partnership with the City of Apple Valley and City of Eagan, is proceeding with County Project (CP) 31-119 to improve traffic operations, safety, mobility, and multimodal access along County State Aid Highway (CSAH 31) (Pilot Knob Road); and
WHEREAS, Dakota County is the lead agency for CP 31-119 study; and
WHEREAS, the Adopted 2026 Transportation Capital Improvement Program budget includes sufficient funding for engineering consulting services; and
WHEREAS, $60,000 from 2026 Studies and Professional Services set aside was administratively moved to CP 31-119; and
WHEREAS, the Transportation Department issued a request for proposals and evaluated multiple proposals; and
WHEREAS, Bolton & Menk, Inc. submitted the most complete and responsive proposal and was selected as the preferred consultant; and
WHEREAS, the City of Apple Valley and City of Eagan concur with this recommendation; and
WHEREAS, cost participation for engineering consulting will follow adopted County policy with 85 percent County and 15 percent City; and
WHEREAS, the Cities of Apple Valley and Eagan will split 15 percent based on corridor mileage within the municipal boundaries: the City of Apple Valley’s cost share is 4.7% for 2.6 miles, and the City of Eagan’s cost share is 10.3% for 5.7 miles for a total of 8.3 miles of the corridor study.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Manager or their delegate, to execute a contract with Bolton & Menk, Inc. for engineering consulting services for County Project 31-119 in an amount not to exceed $706,994, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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BACKGROUND
Dakota County (the County), in partnership with the Cities of Apple Valley and Eagan (the Cities), is proceeding to develop the Pilot Knob Road Visioning Study (the Study). The limits of the Study include approximately 8.3 miles of Pilot Knob Rd, County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 31, from Corporate Center Drive (in Eagan) to 144th St W (in Apple Valley).
CSAH 31 is classified as an A-Minor Arterial and is of regional significance to mobility for north-south travelers and a high priority in corridor management. CSAH 31 is closely connected to several County communities, including Apple Valley and Eagan. The corridor’s surroundings and related plans also reflect needs in all travel modes - serving pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders.
The Dakota County 2025-2029 Transportation Capital Improvements Program (CIP) identifies County Project (CP) 31-119 preliminary engineering in 2027. This 8.3-mile corridor Study (2.6 miles in Apple Valley; 5.7 miles in Eagan) will identify potential improvements to corridor safety, motorized/non-motorized Transportation needs, intersection operations, access management, and potential right of way needs.
Consultant Selection:
• A request for proposals was issued to five firms; three proposals were received and evaluated by City and County staff based on project understanding, approach, team expertise, quality control, past performance, and cost.
• Bolton & Menk, Inc. was selected as the preferred consultant and demonstrated the alignment with project needs
Cost Proposal Summary:
|
Consultant |
Hours |
Proposal Cost |
Cost/Hour |
|
Bolton & Menk, Inc. |
3747 |
$706,994 |
$188.69 |
|
SEH |
4100 |
$694,442 |
$169.38 |
|
KLJ - SRF |
3617 |
$677,541 |
$187.32 |
Bolton & Menk, Inc. was selected to deliver visioning study consultant tasks for CP 31-119 based on their comprehensive technical approach, depth of design effort, and proven ability to manage complex corridor visioning study projects. While Bolton & Menk, Inc.’s hourly rate was the highest among the proposals, their overall fee remained competitive and within the budget. More importantly, Bolton & Menk Inc. proposal demonstrated a focused allocation of resources to critical visioning study tasks, reducing risk and innovative approach to the near-miss data collection, and processing aspect of the visioning study proposal. This approach provides confidence in meeting schedule and performance objectives without compromising safety or traffic operational needs.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends execution of an engineering contract with Bolton & Menk, Inc. for engineering study services for CP 31-119, CSAH 31 (Pilot Knob Road) visioning study in Apple Valley and Eagan for actual costs not to exceed $706,994.
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FINANCIAL AND STAFFING IMPACTS
The Transportation Capital Improvement Program includes $710,000 for CP 31-119 CSAH 31: 144th St to Corporate Center Dr - Pedestrian/Intersection Improvements. There is sufficient project budget available to award the engineering consulting contract.
CP 31-119 CSAH 31: 144th St to Corporate Center Dr - Pedestrian/Intersection Improvements
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Funding Source |
Total Approved Budget |
Total Available Budget |
|
Transportation Sales Use Tax |
$552,500 |
$552,500 |
|
City Funds |
$ 97,500 |
$ 97,500 |
|
Wheelage Tax |
$ 60,000 |
$ 60,000 |
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Total |
$710,000 |
$710,000 |
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Location Map
CONTACT
Department Director: Erin Laberee
Author: Saeed Kanwar