Item Description:
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Neg Amd 1 to Agmt PW 55-85-09 with Soo Line Railroad Company, dba Canadian Pacific Kansas City and Agreement with Metropolitan Council for bridge operation and maintenances purposes to support the METRO Blue Line Extension LRT Project (CP 1005877)
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the County Administrator is authorized to negotiate an amendment to Agreement PW 55-85-09 with Soo Line Railroad Company (dba CPKC) to memorialize an existing County easement for bridge and transportation purposes, and any ancillary easement and other documents necessary to implement such amended agreement; and to add the Metropolitan Council as a party to the agreement and easement to facilitate an additional Metropolitan Council bridge for the Blue Line Extension LRT project; that following review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the agreement and ancillary documents; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Administrator is authorized to negotiate a separate agreement with the Metropolitan Council for a newly constructed LRT bridge located between, and supported by the footings of, the County’s existing bridges Bridge No. 27B58 and Bridge No. 27B59 governing ownership, liability, operations, maintenance, and capital repair of the new LRT bridge; that following review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the agreement.
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Background:
During approximately the 1960’s, Hennepin County assumed jurisdiction and ownership from MnDOT of CSAH 81 (aka Bottineau Boulevard) which then crossed over the trackage of Soo Line Railroad in the City of Crystal by means of a grade separating bridge identified as MnDOT Bridge No. 27B58. A transportation easement for this crossing and bridge over railway tracks was not previously recorded. In 2009, the County undertook reconstruction of the railway crossing (CP 2011800) and (CP 2011700) resulting in the construction of two new County bridges for public transportation purposes. To facilitate construction of the two County bridges, the County entered into Agreement PW 55-85-09 with Soo Line Railroad Company (now dba CPKC). The County agreement allowed for bridge widening and new bridge footings within the railway crossing and it granted an easement for footings. The agreed-upon footings easement from CPKC was secured but was not recorded.
The Metropolitan Council now desires to construct a third bridge within the CSAH 81 railroad crossing and County bridge easement area. The new Met Council bridge will support LRT tracks for the Blue Line Extension LRT Project. The LRT bridge will be situated between the County’s existing bridge spans and built upon the County’s existing bridge footings.
CPKC has indicated that the County’s existing Agreement PW 55-85-09 may be amended to facilitate construction of the LRT bridge within the CSAH 81 crossing, to memorialize and record evidence of a transportation and bridge footings easement, and to add the Metropolitan Council as a party to the Agreement. This action seeks to facilitate such an amendment.
Separately, the County and Metropolitan Council desire to enter into an agreement to address ownership, liability, operations, maintenance, and capital repair of the new LRT bridge to be built upon the County bridge footings. All costs associated with the amended CPKC agreement, easement conveyance and recording, and construction of the LRT bridge will be borne by the Blue Line Extension LRT Project. All costs associated with future ownership of the LRT bridge will be borne by the Metropolitan Council.
Current Request:
Authorize the negotiation and execution of a First Amendment to Agreement PW 55-85-09 with Soo Line Railroad Company, dba Canadian Pacific Kansas City and a separate agreement with Metropolitan Council for bridge operation and maintenances purposes to support the METRO Blue Line Extension LRT Project (CP 1005877).
Impact/Outcomes:
This action supports the county’s disparity elimination and climate action efforts by investing in clean-energy transit infrastructure that expands transportation options and strengthens regional connections to housing, jobs, education, healthcare, and other essential destinations.
This request funds services that are: core services
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval