The City's 2022-2026 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) contains the TH 169 Pedestrian Bridge project. Construction of a pedestrian bridge would be south of Quarry Lake over TH 169 along the Prior Lake Outlet Channel. This pedestrian bridge would complete a significant connection point between different areas of the community which are currently severed by TH 169.

TH 169 bicycle and pedestrian bridge will eliminate a significant gap in the local and regional trail system between residential, educations and commercial areas south of the TH 169 and employment and recreational destinations north of TH 169. The proposed trail/bridge connects an existing trail north of Dean Lakes across TH 169 to Quarry Lake Park and the CSAH 101 trail (part of the MN Valley State Trail). The project consists of a 7-span (750-ft) pedestrian and bicycle bridge of TH 169, and includes approximately 1,350 feet of trail needed to connect on the south side and 1,200 feet of trail needed to connect on the north side.

The trail corridor is designated as a Regional Bicycle Trail Network (Tier 2) by the Metropolitan Council. The regional US 169 freeway is a major barrier for pedestrian and bike users. There are no grade-separated crossings of US 169 between CSAH 83 and Stagecoach Road (a gap of 4.9 miles of bicycle). Major delays of the Stagecoach RR crossing can occur. Safe connections across the highway are needed to facilitate pedestrian and bicycle transportation to and from recreational, residential, commercial, institutional and industrial areas.

On February 9, 2023, a bid opening was held and five bids were received. Lunda Construction Company was the low bidder in the amount of $4,854,177.84 (see attached resolution for the bid tabulation summary). Lunda Construction Co. has the capacity and experience for the project and is deemed a responsible bidder.

Construction is anticipated to begin in March, 2023 in order to complete the clearing of trees by March 31, 2023. Substantial completion shall be by September 20, 2023 and final completion by November 15, 2023.

The costs of the project including construction, land acquisition/right of way, construction and engineering/admin/legal are shown in the table below. 

Table 1. Cost and Funding for Projects CIF-22-002

The main cost overrun from the CIP cost estimate is in the construction cost plus contingency. The land acquisition was less than estimated and engineering and administration cost about the same. 

The bids received were very competitive as three bids were within 5% of each other. Costs have been going up since the CIP cost estimate was done. Bid prices have been going up significantly the past year as much as 20%. A 20% increase to the CIP construction estimate ($3,924,000) would be approximately $4,720,000.00.

To fund this project, staff would propose the funding sources and amounts:

State Bonding funds $2,000,000.00

State Aid funds $2,400,000.00

Capital Imp. funds $1,615,330.90

Total $6,015,330.90

The CIP had $2,000,000.00 from state bonding funds and $2,993,000.00 from the Capital Improvement Fund.