Construction Update 

Updated May 26, 2023

During the week of May 22^nd, the Contractor began work on the project. Multiple crews have been in town, and to date have finished area A, and completed portions of areas B & D. Work will continue next week following the Memorial Day holiday.

Updated May 12, 2023

On May 5, 2023, the City held a pre-construction meeting with Northwest Asphalt and Maintenance, the Contractor constructing the improvements. The purpose of the pre-construction meeting is to review the Contractor’s proposed construction schedule, to share contact information, to review the status of permits, and discuss relevant construction related procedures, processes, and requirements.

The Contractor is proposing to begin work the week of May 22nd and will likely have multiple crews working in town at the same time. They are generally proposing to begin work on the west side of the City and work towards the east. No Parking signs will be posted 24-hours in advance of the work, cars in the posted no parking areas are subject to being towed at the owner’s expense.

This is a moving construction process, with minimal impacts. The process includes first blowing material out of the cracks within the street, filling the cracks with bituminous material, and covering the material to protect it from traffic while it cures. The streets are opened up to traffic almost immediately after application.

For questions related to construction of the project, including special access needs or concerns, please contact Aaron Madsen, the City’s Senior Construction Inspector, at (763) 286-2579 or AMadsen@CityofRamsey.com.

For questions related to the project in general, please contact Joe Feriancek, Assistant City Engineer, at (763) 433-9893 or JFeriancek@CityofRamsey.com.

Project Updates

Updated May 5, 2023

On April 11, 2023, the Ramsey City Council awarded the construction contract for this pavement maintenance project to Northwest Asphalt & Maintenance of Thief River Falls, Minnesota in the amount of $176,279.90. City Staff has scheduled a preconstruction meeting with the Contractor for May 8, during which time the Contractor’s proposed schedule, methods of construction and plans for traffic control will be discussed. It’s anticipated for the project to begin in late May.

The City annually budgets $200,000 for crack seal improvements. Staff is recommending the remaining budgeted funds be spent on pavement patching or a pavement rejuvenation project, but this will be determined at a later date.

Background

Crack seal improvements are completed annually, on between 10 and 23 miles of public street segments to cost-effectively maximize the life of the bituminous pavement.

Crack sealing protects pavement by preventing stormwater runoff from seeping through cracks in the pavement and joints between the pavement and concrete curb and gutter, and utility castings. Reducing future pavement damage due to wet subgrade soils, especially during freeze-thaw cycles.

The City’s current pavement maintenance schedule calls for public streets to be crack sealed the third, seventh-, and fourteenth year following construction, reconstruction, and overlay improvements. However, while this is the typical maintenance schedule it is important to note that Staff reviews the condition of all streets annually and adjusts the schedule of maintenance operations based on actual pavement conditions.

A total of 18.36 miles of public street segments is proposed to receive crack seal improvements in 2023. These street segments were selected based on age, pavement maintenance history, and Pavement and Surface Evaluation Rating (PASER) values. Selected streets generally have PASER values between 7 and 10, though a few have PASER values of 5 and 6. All street segments with PASER values of 5 total 4,124 feet (0.8 miles), while all street segments with PASER values of 6 total 9,137 feet (1.7 miles). These street segments are proposed to receive crack seal improvements because they are either within a larger area of streets having PASER values of 7 or higher so Staff is attempting to maintain all street segments within the areas on the same schedule, or because the street segments are not identified within the CIP as receiving improvements within the next 10 years so the intent is to limp these streets along as cost-effectively as possible until they are added to the CIP.

Plans and specifications for the 2023 Crack Sealing Improvements were prepared in-house as part of Staff’s normal duties and may be viewed here.

Preliminary Schedule Remaining

• Council Awards Contract to the lowest responsible bidder
  • April 11, 2023
• Contractor begins construction
  • Late April / early May 2023
• Contractor Completes Improvements
  • June 2, 2023

The proposed improvements are designated as City Improvement Project #23-08, 2023 Crack Seal Improvements.

Notification:

On February 28, 2023, City Council approved advertisement for bid and a advertisement was published in the Anoka Union Herald and in Finance and Commerce on March 3 and March 10, 2023. Bids were also advertised on-line on Quest CDN.

Staff does not mail letter to property owners for crack seal improvements since the work occurs quickly and has little to no impact to the traveling public or abutting properties. 

On April 3, 2023, a total of (5) bids were received, opened and tabulated, and will be presented to Council at the April 11, 2023, meeting. At that point we will contact the low bidder.  

Additional information will be posted.

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