Project Update

Updated March 30, 2023

To meet the required MSA design standards, several pavement sections were considered. SFDR was determined to be the most cost-effective method of reconstruction. This process involves reclamation (grinding in-place) of the existing bituminous pavement plus a portion of the underlying aggregate base. Excess reclaimed material is then removed as needed so the new pavement will match into existing shoulders, driveways, and cross streets. The remaining material receives liquid asphalt emulsion, which is then mixed in, rolled and compacted. Once compacted, the SFDR can be opened up to traffic, and gains strength with the further compaction of vehicle traffic. 

Stabilizing the reclamation allows for a thinner overall pavement section, avoiding the need to excavate below the existing aggregate base to make costly subgrade corrections. Staff is confident that the SFDR process will provide as long of a life for the new pavement section as a full reconstruction with subgrade corrections would, but at a significantly lower cost.

On March 28, 2023, the Ramsey City Council accepted a proposal from Braun Intertec to perform a Stabilized Full-Depth Reclamation (SFDR) mix design for 167^th Avenue.

On Wednesday, March 1, 2023, a public informational meeting was held for these improvements. The purpose of this meeting was to present information on the proposed project to owners of the properties that directly access 167th Avenue. The power point presentation from that meeting may be seen on this webpage under Related Documents.

Updated February 22, 2023

A public information meeting will occur from 5:30-6:30 on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, in the Lake Itasca Room at the Ramsey Municipal Center, 7550 Sunwood Drive NW. The purpose of this meeting is to present information on the proposed project to owners of properties that directly access 167th Avenue, which is proposed to be reconstructed in 2023. View the letter online.

Background

Updated February 15, 2023

City Improvement Project 23-04 proposes to reconstruct 167^th Avenue between Nowthen Boulevard (CSAH 5) and Saint Francis Boulevard (TH 47). The street totals approximately 6,000 lineal feet (1.13 miles) in length and varies between 40-foot-wide rural section (0.97 miles) and 48-foot-wide urban section (0.16 miles). A full shoulder/parking lane exists on both sides of the street, for the entire length of the street.

On June 14, 2022, the Ramsey City Council accepted a proposal for a topographic survey of the project area from Bolton & Menk. Staff has received the survey, which is used during project design.

On August 23, 2022, the Ramsey City Council ordered Staff to prepare plans and specifications for Improvement Project 23-04, 167^th Avenue Reconstruction. At this same City Council meeting, a geotechnical report proposal from Haugo Geotechnical Services was accepted. The report indicated a mix of good soils for street construction and poor soils containing silt and clay soil which are generally not ideal for street construction/support.

On October 11, 2022, the Ramsey City Council Authorized Staff to apply for between $50,000 and $500,000 in funding through the Minnesota Active Transportation State Infrastructure Program to construct pedestrian and bicycle facilities along 167^th Avenue between Nowthen Boulevard and Saint Francis Boulevard as part of the 167^th Avenue Reconstruction project. Staff estimates $350,000 for the pedestrian and bicycle facility construction costs as part of this project. Project selection is finalized Friday, March 24, 2023, and award letters are distributed to selected projects at that time. If awarded and accepted, the funds cover only construction costs associated with the pedestrian and bicycle facility construction, reimbursed per the awarded lowest responsible bid. If not awarded, Municipal State Aid (MSA) funds are proposed to be used as the funding source for the improvements.

On November 22, 2022, the Ramsey City Council accepted a proposal from Bolton & Menk, Inc. to prepare final plans and specifications for Improvement Project 23-04, 167^th Avenue Reconstruction for the City of Ramsey.

Project Scope

167^th Avenue is a Municipal State Aid (MSA) street and must be designed to MSA standards. The street is proposed to generally stay at the current 40-foot rural section width, and 48-foot urban section width. The existing curb and gutter are generally in good shape and only spot repairs are proposed as necessary. The street is also required to meet an MSA 10-ton pavement strength design standard. Traffic counts taken in 2021 on 167^th Avenue found an Average Daily Traffic (ADT) count between 1,637 (west end) and 2,322 (east end). Based on traffic levels, the estimated pavement section will be approximately 9 inches thick, but review of the geotechnical report will be necessary to determine how the existing sub-base materials will impact design.

Staff has received numerous inquiries from residents if additional pedestrian facilities will be added to the reconstruction project. Bolton & Menk is investigating possible alternatives for adding an off-street trail along 167^th Avenue or creating on-street facilities. Currently, the 8 - to 10-foot-wide shoulders are a shared use for bicycles and pedestrians. Any improvements must meet both MSA standards and ADA standards. 

Municipal water exists from Quicksilver Street (approximately 650 feet west of TH 47) to Nowthen Boulevard. Sanitary sewer does not exist in the project area. The City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan identifies a future MUSA Study Area for extending a trunk sanitary sewer line to the 167^th Avenue / TH 47 land use node. This project does not propose to make that extension. Currently, the northeast quadrant of Nowthen Boulevard and 167^th Avenue can be served from the sanitary sewer line extended south as part of the Brookside Elementary School project, north of 167^th Avenue on Nowthen Boulevard.

Funding for this improvement project is proposed to come from the MSA Fund ($1,680,000) and the Storm Sewer Utility Fund ($168,000) for a total project estimated cost of $1,848,000 as identified in the 2023 to 2032 Capital Improvement Program. This does not include the costs of any pedestrian / bicycle improvements.

Property owners will not be assessed for any of the costs for these improvements.

Correspondence

On August 25, 2022, residents impacted by the 167^th Avenue Reconstruction project were sent a project notification letter including notice that a geotechnical crew would be performing soil borings in the area. Read the notification letter.

Staff encourages impacted residents to contact us with questions or input regarding this project. Please email Assistant City Engineer, Joe Feriancek, reach out by phone at 763-433-9893.