05-25-11 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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tLW IHG fSSO(IflT S Memorandum TV G OOTIAI TO: Little Canada Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Lee Elfering, City Engineer DATE: May 19, 2011 RE: Waterworks Trail Railroad Crossing Project Background The City has used the St. Paul Regional Water's right -of -way for trails within the City for several years. In 2004, plans were developed and approved to extend the existing trail south of South Owasso Boulevard north within the Waterwork's property to Country Drive and then west to Rice Street. This trail alignment included a crossing of the BNSF railroad tracks near the end of Spruce Street by the Frattalone property. The project was funded jointly with City funds and a DNR trail grant which had specific funding and expenditure timelines. Prior to construction of the crossing and during the project, the City attempted to obtain the necessary approvals for the track crossing from Minnesota Commercial Railway and BNSF Railway Company along with the execution of a crossing permit but was unsuccessful. Due to the allowable expenditure and reimbursement dates within the grant, the project was moved forward excluding the section for the railroad crossing. The City has continued to pursue the approvals and permits necessary for the crossing from BNSF and Minnesota Commercial Railway and was finally successful in receiving the required approvals and permit this spring. The permit received allows the City one year from the execution date (March 16, 2011) of the permit for construction of the crossing. The location of the approved crossing does require that a small easement be obtained from the Frattalone property. Since the completion of the original trail project in 2004, St. Paul Regional Water has installed a number of wells within its right -of -way throughout the City that have impacted the trail. The trail section between South Owasso Boulevard and the railroad tracks has two wells which require realignment of the City's trail. Since the trail terminated south of the railroad tracks we have delayed realignment of these two sections of the City's trail, and the realignments would be included in this project to provide for a complete trail. A new storm pipe would also be installed to eliminate the flooding of another section of the trail during rain events. H:\JoeCH'CorrespondenceJoel 2011 \RR Trail X -ing Options 5.19.11.doc 10062 Flanders Court NE — Blaine, MN 55449 — (763) 780 -0450 fax (763) 780-0452 1