DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Submit and Accept Grant Funds From 2024 Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Opportunity For County State Aid Highway 62 And Trunk Highway 61 Intersection And Authorization To Provide Letter Of Support For City Of South St. Paul’s Submittal To 2024 HSIP Opportunity
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
• Authorize submittal of application and acceptance of grant funds for 2024 Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) for the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 62 and Trunk Highway (TH) 61 intersection.
• Authorize the County Engineer to provide a letter of support for the City of South St. Paul’s Marie Avenue project to the HSIP opportunity.
SUMMARY
In conjunction with the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) of the Metropolitan Council, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is requesting project submittals for the Metro District HSIP. The HSIP program is a federal-aid funding program designed to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roadways. The objective of the program is to identify, implement and evaluate cost effective construction safety projects. Funding from HSIP provides up to 90 percent of project construction costs up to a maximum of $2 million per project. Agencies applying for funding must commit to providing local funds to match the federal funds and maintaining the constructed facilities for their useful life. Projects are being considered for federal fiscal years 2028 and 2029, but funds may be available for 2026 and 2027. Project submittals are due February 2, 2024.
Staff is proposing to submit one application through the process. The application is to reconstruct the existing thru-stop intersection as a single lane roundabout at CSAH 62 and TH 61 intersection to improve safety. This location was selected based upon rural intersection assessment risk factors. This project is not in the 2024-2028 Transportation Capital Improvement Program (CIP), but could be added to the 2025-2029 Transportation CIP should it be awarded funding. MnDOT traffic is supportive of the application.
The City of South St. Paul is requesting a letter of support for their Marie Avenue project in Dakota County for submittal to the HSIP grant opportunity. This project will reconstruct the City street, Marie Avenue corridor from 3rd Avenue to 21st Avenue and create much-needed pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. The proposed improvements would help people access schools, businesses, and community institutions safely and efficiently while promoting more efficient traffic flow, which would also help realize the full development potential as an easily accessible area.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorization to submit and accept grant funds for the 2024 Highway Safety Improvement Program for an application for the CSAH 62 and TH 61 intersection and to authorize the County Engineer to provide a letter of support for the City of South St. Paul’s Marie Avenue project from 3rd Avenue to 21st Avenue for submittal to the Metro District HSIP.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
None.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Transportation metro district is requesting project submittals for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP); and
WHEREAS, the HSIP grant program funds up to 90 percent of project construction costs; and
WHEREAS, federal funding of projects reduces the burden on local taxpayers for regional improvements; and
WHEREAS, non-federal funds must be at least 10 percent of the project cost; and
WHEREAS, project submittals are due on February 2, 2024; and
WHEREAS, an application to construct a roundabout at County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 62 and Trunk Highway (TH) 61 would improve intersection safety; and
WHEREAS, subject to federal funding award, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners would be asked to consider authorization to execute a grant agreement at a future meeting; and
WHEREAS, the Marie Avenue corridor project would help people access schools, businesses, and community institutions safely and efficiently while promoting more efficient traffic flow.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the submission of an application for the intersection of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 62 and Trunk Highway (TH) 61 to the HSIP funding opportunity 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 authorizes the County Engineer to submit a letter of support for the Marie Avenue project from 3rd Avenue to 21st Avenue in the City of South St. Paul to the Minnesota Department of Transportation for the Highway Safety Improvement Program.
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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