1 MnDOT Metro District Proposed Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Amendment Metropolitan Council January 17, 2007

2 Purpose Present background information on I-35W/ Crosstown project Present information on proposed TIP amendment that will come to the Metropolitan Council for action January 24 Answer questions

3 I-35W/Crosstown Project Background Project limits: On I-35W from 66 th St (Richfield) to 42 nd St. (Minneapolis). On TH 62 from Portland Ave to Penn Ave. Description: Reconstruct 4 miles of I-35W and 2 miles of TH 62. Eliminate the forced weaving in the commons area by separating the two roadways. Expand I-35W from 3 lanes in each direction north of TH 62 to 4 general purpose lanes plus 1 HOV/Bus Rapid Transit lane each direction. Build an on-line transit station at 46 th St.

4 Project Background (continued) Project Need: Common Section and adjacent highway segments constructed in middle to late 1960’s; design was criticized shortly after opening. Crosstown Commons interchange carries an average of 240,000 vehicles per day. Crash rates are up to 5 times higher than the average for metropolitan urban freeways. Bridges are deteriorated. Congestion extends through most hours of the day.

5 Project Background (continued) Project Priority Interchange area has been identified as a major deficiency in the Metropolitan Council’s Transportation Plan since 1983 Project has been under development by MnDOT since mid-1980’s Identified as a recommended project by the Metropolitan Council in the Transportation Policy Plan since 1989.

6 Project Background (continued) In 2001, MnDOT was preparing to begin construction of a redesigned interchange. The Minnesota Legislature placed a moratorium on the project, and required MnDOT to study other designs that added more capacity and did not result in long closures during construction. The current design responds to those concerns.

7 Current Project The I-35W Crosstown project was advertised in April 2006 but received no bids. Comments from prospective bidders as to why no bids: Cost estimate appeared too low Proposal would have required contractor to work in advance of payment availability over course of 4-year project.

8 Revised Cost Estimate FHWA asked MnDOT to perform a risk analysis to identify where costs are likely to be at risk for increase over previous estimate. These areas are considered to be: Structural concrete, traffic control, mobilization, inflation, segmental bridges, traditional bridges, single bidder, disincentives, financing. A revised payout curve eliminated the need for contractor to finance work to meet proposed schedule. Revised cost estimate is now $285M (from previous $251M)

9 Need for TIP Amendment In order for the project to move forward toward federal authorization, federal rules require a TIP/STIP amendment to identify the additional funds necessary for this project, and to maintain fiscal balance within the TIP. Additional cost increases for Phase 2 of TH 12 near Long Lake are also included in this amendment.

10 Fiscal Balance Both increased funds and project deferral are needed to maintain fiscal balance. Use of Bond Accelerated Program Transit Advantage funds Additional State Trunk Highway funds Temporary deferral of TH 169/CR 81 interchange in Brooklyn Park from SFY 2008 to SFY 2010

11 Fiscal Balance Project Year Current TIP/STIP Amount Revised Cost Estimate Additional Amount Needed How FundedAmount I-35W/ Crosstown SFY 07 (Mar 07 letting) $251.0 BAPTA $10.0 $261.0 $285.0M $24.0MRemaining BAPTA Defer TH 169/ CSAH 81 from SFY 08 to SFY 10 Additional State TH Funds $5.0M $21.0M 6.5M TH 12 Wayzata Blvd to CR 6 near Long Lake SFY 08 (May 07 letting) $27.5M$36.0M$8.5M TOTAL$288.5M$321.0M$32.5M

12 Program Impacts Proposed TIP amendment :  Continues to fund Metro preservation and safety project under construction and in the program  Allows I-35W/Crosstown project to move forward to a March 30, 2007 letting  Temporarily defers TH 169/CR 81 interchange from spring 2007 to spring 2009.

13 Other Considerations MnDOT remains committed to delivering the TH 169/CR 81 project. Plan development, project approvals and municipal consent process will continue as scheduled. This project is positioned to be constructed earlier should new or additional funding be available.

14 Next Steps (as anticipated) Metropolian Council Transportation Committee recommendation Jan 22 Metropolitan Council adoption Jan 24 MnDOT STIP amendment approval Jan 25 FHWA STIP amendment approval Jan 26 FHWA project authorization Jan 26 Project advertised for bidding Feb 2 Bid opening March 30 Contract award April 30 Contract approval May 21 Contract start May 29

15 Questions?