Item Description:
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Neg Agmt PW 50-40-23 with MnDOT for federal participation as part of the Met Council’s B Line BRT along Lake Street and Lagoon Avenue (phase two) (CP 2193300); $16,000,000 (recv)
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the County Administrator be authorized to negotiate Agreement PW 50-40-23 (State Contract No.1054689) with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for federal participation for the multimodal improvements along County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 3 (Lake Street) from France Avenue to 21st Avenue South and CSAH 43 (Lagoon Avenue) from East Bde Maka Ska Parkway to Dupont Avenue as part of the Metropolitan Council’s B Line bus rapid transit project, county project (CP) 2193300, (S.P. 027-603-079; S.P. 027-643-003; S.P. 027-603-080; S.P. 027-643-081), in the amount of $16,000,000 (receivable); that the Commissioner of Transportation be appointed as agent of Hennepin County to accept federal funds on its behalf; that upon review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to accept and disburse funds as directed.
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Background:
The Metropolitan Council (Met Council), in collaboration with Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis, is leading a two-phased multimodal improvement project along Lake Street and Lagoon Avenue as part of the B Line Project. The B Line is a bus rapid transit line that will provide faster and more reliable transit service in the Route 21 corridor.
For its share of the B Line Project, the county was awarded $16 million in federal aid for CP 2193300 (consisting of $12 million from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant Program, $2 million from the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), and $2 million from the Regional Solicitation).
In January 2023, the board authorized various agreements for county participation in phase one of the B Line Project and increased the budget for CP 2193330 (Resolution 23-0018). In August, the board authorized various amendments and agreements for phase two of the B Line Project and increased the budget for CP 2193330 (Resolution 23-0287).
MnDOT requires execution of Agreement PW 50-40-23 (State Contract No. 1054689) to act as Hennepin County’s agent in accepting federal funds and using those funds to complete the county’s share of the B Line Project.
Project financing will be provided by CP 2193300, Metro Transit B Line - Additional Scope, with expenses tracked in its associated subprojects CP 2193301 (phase one) and CP 2193302 (phase two).
Phase one construction began spring 2023, and phase two is planned to begin in 2024 with substantial completion in fall 2024.
Current Request: This request seeks authorization to negotiate and execute Agreement PW 50-40-23 with MnDOT (State Contract No. 1054689) for use of federal aid on the project and to appoint the Commissioner of Transportation to act as the county’s agent in accepting federal grants in the amount of $16,000,000.
Impacts/Outcomes: This action supports the county’s Mobility 2040 goals, climate action, and disparity reduction efforts by improving accessibility and enhancing safety for multi-modal transportation users along Lake Street and Lagoon Avenue in Minneapolis.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval