01-10-2007 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

515 Little Canada Road, Little Canada, MN 55117 -1600 (651) 766 -4029 / FAX: (651) 766 -4048 www.ci.little-canada.mn.us MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Blesener and Members of the City Council FROM: Joel Hanson, City Administrator DATE: January 5, 2007 RE: Rice Street Bridge Over Highway 36 — Resolution of Support MAYOR Bill Blesener COUNCIL Jim laValle Rick Montour Barbara Allan John Reis ADMINISTRATOR Joel R. Hanson Attached is the draft legislation Representative Scalze is carrying to secure funding for the design of a new Rice Street bridge over Highway 36. Staff has been meeting with Representative Scalze, and officials from St Jude Medical, Ramsey County, MnDot, Roseville, and Maplewood in attempt to move this project forward. As you may remember, this bridge does not currently show up in any MnDot reconstruction plans. By having the bridge designed now, construction funding becomes much more likely if additional money becomes available. We are seeking $2,000,000 in funding to enable the design of this new bridge. The money would flow through MnDot and ultimately to Ramsey County who would be the lead agency for the project. The need for this bridge is obvious to anyone who drives through that area. Too few lanes, too many traffic conflicts, and a deteriorating structure are all contributing factors. St. Jude Medical, Inc. is also pushing for reconstruction of this bridge to improve traffic flow between their facilities on both sides of Highway 36. From their perspective, it is critical to replace this bridge if they are to plan on future expanions in Little Canada. The attached resolution will be forwarded to the Commissioner of Transportation, Legislative leadership, and the Governor Ramsey County will be considering a similar resolution in within the next few days. Staff urges the passage of this resolution to build momentum for the passage of Representative Scalze's legislation. cc: Representative Scalze