DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Contract With SRF Consulting Group, Inc. For Final Design Engineering Services For County State Aid Highway 50 And Interstate 35 Interchange Improvements In Lakeville, County Project 50-33
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, to provide a safe and efficient transportation system, Dakota County is advancing County Project (CP) 50-33; and
WHEREAS, the next phase of CP 50-33 includes final design engineering services for a diverging diamond interchange at County State Aid Highway 50 (CSAH 50) and Interstate 35 (I-35) in Lakeville, with construction planned to begin in 2029; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 26-233 (May 19, 2026), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized execution of a State Aid Federal Aid Agency agreement for $5,040,000 in Federal Highway Administration funding to support engineering design of the I-35 and County Road 50 Interchange Reconstruction Project; and
WHEREAS, the agreement authorizes a maximum federal share of 80% with a required 20% non-federal match up to $1,008,000 and requires use of a qualifications-based selection (QBS) process for procuring professional services; and
WHEREAS, the City and the County have executed a Joint Powers Agreement for final design engineering services in accordance with the Dakota County Cost Share Policy; and
WHEREAS, the County published a request for proposals (RFP) utilizing a QBS process and invited all pre-qualified professional services consultants to submit proposals for final engineering design services on the County website; and
WHEREAS, a QBS selection process for a federally funded design contract prohibits cost proposals during the selection evaluation; and
WHEREAS, two proposals were received and evaluated by staff from Dakota County, the City of Lakeville, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), and SRF Consulting Group, Inc., was determined to be the most qualified firm; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County, City, and MnDOT staff subsequently negotiated a fee proposal with SRF Consulting Group, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, to maintain the project schedule and meet funding deadlines, final design engineering work must begin in fall 2026; and
WHEREAS, the 2026-2030 Transportation Capital Improvement Program Budget includes sufficient funding for CP 50-33; and
WHEREAS, the County Engineer recommends execution of a contract with SRF Consulting Group, Inc., for CP 50-33 for actual costs not to exceed $5,039,092 and City and MnDOT staff concur with this recommendation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Manager, or delegate, to execute a contract with SRF Consulting Group, Inc., to perform final engineering design services for County Project 50-33 in an amount not to exceed $5,039,092, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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BACKGROUND
Dakota County is advancing County Project (CP) 50-33 to address longstanding safety, mobility, and infrastructure deficiencies at the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 50/5 and Interstate 35 (I-35) interchange in Lakeville. The existing interchange has outlived its useful life and is characterized by elevated crash rates, significant congestion and delays, and inadequate pedestrian and bicycle accommodations. These conditions create operational inefficiencies, limit safe multimodal travel, and constrain a rapidly growing employment and commercial area. Advancing CP 50-33 into final design is necessary to replace aging infrastructure, improve traffic operations, enhance user safety and support regional economic growth.
Following execution of the agreement, the County issued a request for proposals using a qualifications-based selection process for final engineering design services. The two submitted proposals were by SRF Consulting Group, Inc. (SRF) and WSB Engineering.
SRF’s proposal demonstrated strong project understanding, a comprehensive work plan, experienced personnel, and continuity from preliminary engineering to final design. The County, City, and MnDOT reviewed SRF’s fee proposal and determined it to be reasonable and aligned with the project’s scope and complexity, including coordination with MnDOT’s planned I-35 improvements, utility relocations, environmental documentation updates, drainage design, right of way services, and construction staging strategy refinement. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2029.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends execution of a contract with SRF Consulting Group, Inc. for consultant services for CP 50-33 for actual costs not to exceed $5,039,092.
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FINANCIAL AND STAFFING IMPACTS
The Transportation Capital Improvement Program includes $14,704,391 for CP 50-33 at I-35 Interchange (Lakeville). There is sufficient project budget available to fund this contract for final engineering design services. Project delivery will be supported by existing County staff time assigned to the project, and no additional FTEs are needed.
CP 50-033 At I-35 Interchange (Lakeville)
|
Funding Source |
Total Approved Budget |
Available Budget |
|
Federal |
$5,040,000 |
$3,827,307 |
|
State |
$5,324,200 |
$4,624,200 |
|
City of Lakeville |
$915,263 |
$840,263 |
|
Sales and Use Tax |
$3,424,928 |
$3,319,230 |
|
Total |
$14,704,391 |
$12,611,000 |
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
26-233; 05/19/26
26-039: 01/20/26
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Project Location Map
Attachment: 50-033 Contract Summary Sheet
CONTACTS
Department Director: Erin Laberee
Author: Susan Wimberly