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2. Highway 93 Bypass - Technical Advisory Committee's RecommendationsCity of Kalispell Planning Department 1.7 - 2nd Street East, Suite 211, Kalispell, Montana 59901 Telephone: (406) 751 -185o Fax: (6) 751-1858 website: www.katispell.com REPORT TO: Kalispell Mayor and City Council FROBE Tom Jentz, Director Jaynes H. Patrick, City Manager RE: Kalispell Highway 93 Bypass Phasing Recommendation MEETING DATE: Council Work Session -November S, 2007 BACKGROUND: The Kalispell Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) met on Wednesday October 17, 2007 for the purpose of making a recommendation on the initial phasffig of the Kalispell Highway 93 Bypass. To assist the TAC and MDT, Stelling Engineers divided the entire bypass project, estimated to cost approximately $90 million into 9 major constructible components. These constructible phases are included in an attachment to this memo entitled By -Pass Phasing Diagram. In addition Ste broke out two bridges which have to be constructed across Ashley Creek prior to any road construction. One bridge would be south by Gardner's Trailer Center and the other would be between Foys Lake Road and US 2. MDT informed the TAc that there was approximately $8.9 million in construction funds and $11.9 in R/W acquisition funds available for the highway by-pass project. The $11.9 million is the estimated value of remaining R/ W to be purchased for the entire by-pass. MDT also indicated that TAC could recommend construction projects slightly in excess of $8.9 to create a buildable package borrowing some from the R/ W funds as not all of these funds will be immediately expended. These funds will however have to be reimbursed from future allocations. Discussion ensued and several potential scenarios were proposed. It was affirmed that the TAC has taken the position that the south half was the priority for the start of project construction. After considerable discussion., TAC ultimately voted 6-1 to support the following initial construction projects: a. Undertake the phase one recommendation entitled preload and drainage. This would involve excavating and pre -loading two significant soft areas (areas of poor soils) . The sites are just north and gust south of Foys Lake Road. (Estimated cost is $4.3 million.) b. Construct the two bridges across Ashley Creek (one south near Gardner's Trailer Sales and the second between Foys Lake Road and US 2. (Estimated cost is $2.6 million.) Kalispell Bypass Phasing Work Session October 31, 2007 Page 2 c. Construct the Reserve Drive South project (Hutton Ranch Road east and north to US 93 behind Target and Home Depot). (Estimated at $3 million.) The recommendation totals $9.9 million dollars. The TAC is recommending these projects for 4 reasons: 1. There was not enough money to do a single phase of by-pass on the south side. 2. The bridge work and soil stabilization work has to be done first before any bypass can be constructed. 3. Bridges and pre -loading activity typically tapes two years from contract award to completion and would unduly hold up any other construction on the south side if these projects were not first constructed. 4. The Hutton Ranch to US 93 connection was recommended because it was a small project that would utilize the remaining funds, there was a strong desire on the part of TAC to actually construct a segment of usable bypass for the public to benefit from, the Reserve Connector has been completed this summer and the Hutton ranch extension completes this loop, and finally and most telling, traffic congestion on the north end of the bypass is mounting. The Reserve and US 93 intersection is operating at a D level for AM traffic and DW-F level for PM traffic movements. Please note that these are the beginning construction phases of the 93 Bypass, not the end. We are anticipating working closely with our congressional delegation to secure annual appropriations and to place an additional request in the Federal Transportation Bill when it is re -authorized. It is the hope and belief of TAC that construction on the bypass will continue uninterrupted and not end until the entire bypass is completed. RECDNMEENDATIDN: This recommendation is being forwarded to both the Flathead County Commissioners and to the Kalispell City Council for final action and adoption. The Commissioners are scheduled to address this issue in early November. Staff is recommending that the council take formal action on this item at the November 19 council meeting and forward an official recommendation to MDDT. Respectfully submitted, qr q�_' ro Thomas R. Jentz awes : . Pa Director City Manager Report compiled October 31, 2007 Attachments: Draft Minutes of October 17, 2007 TAC meeting Kalispell Bypass -- Summary of Costs dated October 10, 2007 Bypass Phasing Diagram c: Theresa White, Kalispell City Clerk City of Kalispell Planning Department 17 - .2"d Street Fast, Suite 211, Kalispell, Montana 59901 Telephone. (406) 751-1850 Fax: (406) 751 -18 5 8 W ebsite. www.kalispell.com MEMORANDUM To: Flathead County Commissioners Kalispell City Council From: Tom Jentz, Chairman, Kalispell TAC Date: October 18, 2007 Subject: Kalispell Highway 93 Bypass Phasing Recommendation The Kalispell Technical Advisory Committee (TACK met on Wednesday October 17, 2007 for the purpose of making a recommendation on the initial phasing of the Kalispell Highway 93 Bypass. To assist the TAC and MDT, Stelling Engineers divided the entire bypass project, estimated to cost approximately $90 million into 9 major constructible components. In addition Stelling broke out two bridges which have to be constructed across Ashley Creek prior to any road construction. One bridge would be south by Gardner's Trailer center and the other would be between Foy's Lake Road and US 2. MIST informed the TAC that there was approximaly$ 8.9 million in construction funds and $1 I.9 in R/W acquisition funds available for the Highway by-pass project. The $11.9 million is the estimated value of remaining R/W to be purchased for the entire by-pass. MDT also indicated that TAC could recommend construction projects slightly in excess of $8.9 to create a buildable package borrowing some from the R/W funds as not all of these funds will be immediately expended. These funds will however have to be reimbursed from future allocations. Much discussion ensued and several potential scenarios were proposed. It was affirmed that the TAC has taken the position that the south half was the priority for project construction. The TAC ultimately voted 6-1 to support the following initial construction projects: a. Undertake the phase one recommendation entitled preload and drainage. This would involve excavating and pre -loading two significant soft areas (areas of poor soils). The sites are just north and just south of Foys Lake Road. (estimated cost is $4.3 million) b. Construct the two bridges across Ashley Creek (one south near Gardner's Trailer Sales and the second between Foys Lake Road and US 2. (estimated cost is $2.6 million) c. Construct the Reserve Drive South project (Hutton Ranch Road east and north to US 93 behind Target and Home Depot). (estimated at $3 million.) Kalispell Bypass Phasing October l 7, 2007 Page 21 The recommendation totals $9.9 million dollars. The TAC is recommending these projects for 4 reasons: 1. There was not enough money to do any single stretch of bypass on the south side. 2. The bridge work and soil stabilization work has to be done first before any bypass can be constructed. 3. Bridges and pre -loading activity typically takes two years from now until completion and would unduly hold up any other construction on the south side. 4. The Hutton Ranch to US 93 connection was recommended because it was a small project that would utilize the remaining funds, there was a strong desire on the part of TAC to actually construct a segment of usable bypass for the public to benefit from, the Reserve Connector has been completed this summer and the Hutton Ranch extension completes this loop, and finally and most telling, traffic congestion on the north end of the bypass is mounting. The Reserve and US 93 intersection is operating at a D level for AM traffic and D -F level for PM traffic movements. This recommendation is being forwarded to both the Flathead County Commissioners and to the Kalispell City Council for final action and adoption. Please contact myself or a member of the TAC if you have any specific questions. Please schedule action on this recommendation at your earliest convenience. I will be available at your meeting should you have additional questions. Sincerely, Tom Jentz Chairman, Kalispell TAC Attachments: Draft Minutes of October 17, 2007 TAC meeting Kalispell Bypass --- Summary of Costs dated October l 0, 2007 B yp ass P has ing Diagram KALISPELL TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 10, 2007 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL The regular meeting of the Kalispell Technical Advisory CALL Committee was called to order at 1:30 p.m. Board members present were: Tom Jentz, Gary Hall, Steve Herzog, Jim Hansz, Dwaine Kailey, Shiela Ludlow, and Marc Rold. John Schwarz, Guy Foy, Gary Kalberg, Jim Patrick, Jim Dedman, Mark Munsinger, and Mark Twitchel were absent. There were approximately S people in the audience. APPROVAL OF THE Rold moved and Kailey seconded a motion to approve the NOWTES. minutes of the September 13, 2007. The motion passed unanimously on a vote by acclamation. COMMENTS FROM THE No one wish to cormnent. PUBLIC OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS Kailey recapped the funding noting; the bypass has received 3 DEVELOP A appropriations and a reauthorization earmark for the bypass. RECOMMENDED PHASING out of that money what is remaining is approximately $11.9 PLAN TO GIVE MDT million for R/ w purchases and an additional $2.9 million DIRECTION IN THE available for construction. over and above that there is a $b CONSTRUCTION OF THE million earmark in appropriations right now and they are SOUTH HALF OF THE anticipating that appropriation will be approved and be HIGHWAY" 93 BYPASS - ay. alable for the bypass construction in the near future. (STELLING ENGINEERING) Therefore, there is $8.9 million available for construction. Mitch Steg, Stelling Engineers reviewed the Kalispell Bypass Summary of Costs and the recommended phasing diagram for the Committee. (Copies attached to the minutes) . Stelling noted that the cost for the preloading & drainage (Phase 1) and the bridges are separated out because some may think that any section of road that they would build would not do anything (a road to nowhere) and some might agree that the infrastructure should be built first to allow for roadway construction when the funds are available. He added this may be something that the Committee would want to consider. Hall asked the location of the Reserve Loop bridge and Stelling said it is located where the Highway 93 Bypass goes over the top of the Reserve Connector immediately east of Glacier High School. Kailey asked what the cost of the bridge at the Airport Road interchange is and Stelling said approximately $3 million because it is a long span of bridge. Kalispell City Planning Board Minutes of the meeting of October 10, 2007 Page I of 7 Stelling noted that these phasing recommendations are based on the decision to build the south portion of the bypass first. Hall asked if there was going to be any discussion on the decision to build the south portion first. Jentz noted that discussion cann be a part of the Committee's discussions after Stelling's presentation. Stelling described the phases in more detail for the Committee. What is important for them, Stelling continued, is from a design standpoint they need to know how they should progress through the phasing because it affects the way they design the bypass. Jentz asked Kailey what are the limitations on the $6 million earmarked funds. Kailey said there are none. In addition, Jentz asked for clarification on the acquired R/w funds and if there are any restrictions that would prevent them from borrowing from the R/ W funds to complete a construction project. Kailey said the earmarks were very broad so they have the authority to obligate them wherever they wanted to. Hall noted that was one of his questions also because it seemed all the money would be going toward R/ W acquisition. Kailey said they have to certify to the Federal Highway Administration that they own the R/ W for the segments before they go to construction, but they do not have to acquire the R/W along the entire corridor before construction. Rold asked where the R/ W acquisition process is now. Kailey said approximately 40% through passive acquisition and right now they have the plans for authorization of the R/ W for the entire south half of the bypass. Rold suggested if all of the estimates are stand alone estimates the Committee could combine some of them for significant savings and Stelling said there may or may not be significant savings. Jentz noted that there could be some phases that if combined it could eliminate the destruction portion of that phase and Stelling agreed. Kailey noted from experience that stand alone bridges can cause some problems and Stelling added some of the bridges on this project would not be highly visible. Hall asked if the Committee approved Phase 6 ghat would the differences be at that intersection. Harris described how the current intersection functions and hour it will function after Phase 6 is built. She added the biggest difference you will see is not being able to o from the existing Reserve Kalispell City Planning Bard Nkl inutes of the meeting of October 10, 2.007 Page 2 of 7 Drive to Highway 93. Herzog asked if the engineer's recommendation would be to complete Phase 5 before Phase 6 because there would be considerable congestion without the lane Cunning left to go south on Highway 93? Harris said she could see either one going first because Phase 6 would help traffic flog better between Highway 93 east to the Stillwater bridge. Jentz said his assumption would be Phase 5 would provide an alternative when Phase 6 construction is being completed. Harris agreed if Hutton Ranch Drive was available it could be a great benefit. Kailey said he understands the way Harris described that intersection to be the frnal configuration but as they go through the design if they don't have the remainder of the bypass in the mill it may be beneficial to assign those lanes a little bit differently until the remainder of that bypass is built and Harris agreed. Harris again described the Reserve / Highway 93 intersection as designed and how it will function after completion. Herzog noted the $11.9 rniWon for R/ W acquisition is in today's dollars and asked what the timeframe of acquisition would be for that amount. Kailey said it is based on current acquisition costs and he felt that acquisition should be completed within 2 years. Herzog said then the $11.9 million should cover acquisition of R / W and Kailey said it should be close. Rold asked if there are any landowners who have indicated any unwillingness to sell R/ W. Bailey said yes some property owners do not agree on the fair market value being offered by MDT. Hall asked if all of the School Trust Land R / w has been purchased and Kailey said an agreement is in place and the money is set aside. Hall asked if the sale was at fair market value and Kailey said it is a state law that DNRC has to capture fair market value for sale or lease of their property. Hall asked if Phase 6 was recommended to be constructed, and he noted the proposal is to connect it to a bridge, can that road be tied into the Reserve Loop without the bridge.- Stelling said yes that is the moray it is proposed and he added the bridge would be a part of Phase S. Hansz asked if the cost of the DNRC acquisition is outside the $11.9 million. Kailey said the $7.4 million for the acquisition of the DNRC R/w is outside the $11.9 million. Jentz said he is going to recommend that the $8.9 million is Kalispell City Planning Board Minutes of the meeting of October 10, ?007 Page 3 of 7 not the end of the funds. we need to look at the fact that we are building a bypass and there isn't a logical way of finishing off the bypass with the money we have. Jentz asked if there was any disagreement with that approach and no one responded. Kailey said it should be reaffirmed that no 2 lane segments will be considered. Hall suggested perhaps the Committee should consider a 2 lane bypass since it could be completed sooner. Jentz noted that the Committee looked at 2 lane alternatives and TAC, decided that the 4 lane would move forward based on cost and having to reconstruct portions at a later date. Jentz added the modeling indicates that there will be 20,000 vehicles on this road in less than 20 years which a 2 lane could not handle, Jentz said at the work session TAC talked quite a bit about actually building some projects, and there is money to do it and it should be spent. Also, there are certain projects that require more than a single year of construction such as the bridge work or the preloading that has to be done, and then the projects that would actually connect to somewhere. Jentz said the Director of MDT was very clear that he didn't want to have a `bridge to nowhere" but he also said he granted to have meaningful links hook up. The following recommendations for phasing were discussed: 1. Rold -- Phase 6 (Reseive/ Highway 93) at $8.9 million. Fold said it makes the most sense because Deserve is not currently functioning with the Reserve Loop portion of the bypass and it is carrying a lot more traffic. In addition it would improve the Highway 93 8b Reserve intersection that the whole community is concerned about. 2. Hall -Phases 5 & 6 (Reserve/Highway 93 8a Hutton Ranch Road/ Reserve) $11.9 million. Hall said Phase 5 (Hutton Ranch Road) needs to be completed first or in conjunction with Phase 6 (Reserve/Highway 93). Hall asked Harris what percentage of traffic would use the Hutton Ranch/Reserve connection and she said 30%. Jentz reminded TAC that the recommendations will go to Kalispell City Council and the Flathead County commissioners for their approval to move forward. There was discussion about not going on the north side because of the policy direction from the council and commissioners. 3. Hansz -Phases 1 8v 3 (Preloading/ Drainage & Foys Lake Road to Highway 2) $10.3 million. Hansz said it would be a way to maximize the funds they have and borrowing from the R/ W acquisition funds. He continued then you would end up with some essential work, the preloading and drainage, and Kalispell City Planning Board Minutes of the meeting of October 10, 16(X)7 Page 4 of 7 actually build a segment between Foys Lake Road and Highway 2 West which would significantly reduce traffic in that area. In addition these phases would be in keeping with the direction from the city council and the commissioners. Herzog asked how long would the preloading need to be in place before construction could be done on Phase 3 and Stelling said a year at least. 4. Jentz - Phase 1, (Preloading & Drainage) Ashley North and South & Foys Lake Road bridges, and Phase 5 (Hutton Ranch Road/ Reserve) $11.4 million. Jentz noted the preloading, drainage, and bridge work would have to be done on the south end, and would then serve as the hook to keep this project going. He said Phase 5 would relieve some of the intersection malfunction at Reserve and Highway 93. Stelling noted that the bridges, especially the one at Foys Lake Road for $1.5 million would just stand out there until the bypass was built. The benefit of constructing the Foys Lake Road bridge before the bypass is built at grade in that location is there will not be any construction that will have to be torn out in order to build the bridge later. 5. Herzog - Phases 1 & 5 (Preloading & Drainage S& Hutton Ranch Road/ Reserve) $7.3 million. Herzog said from a practical standpoint the Phase 1 preloading and drainage makes sense because any other work in that area would be relatively easy. Also if Phase 5 is constructed it would set the stage for Phase 6, should the direction of construction change. Herzog added them they can see how the remainder of the R/ W acquisition goes and reevaluate the funds for the next phase. Dailey said they have committed to doing the preloading next year if that is the Committee's desire. However, this is the first time they have talked about prioritizing Hutton Ranch Road and if that would be a decision of this Committee he asked the engineer when they could have the design completed for Phase S. Stelling said it wouldn't be a problem on their end and it would probably come down to the R/ W issues. Herzog asked if the political reality should be addressed and asked do they have any choice but to look anywhere other than the south portion of the bypass. Jentz said his recommendation was to actually get some highway construction done and provide some traffic relief and that is why he included the Hutton Ranch Road section. Yet they would still be setting the stage for the southern portion by completing the preloading and drainage and construction of 3 of the 4 bridges needed on the southern portion. Kalispell City Planning Board Minutes of the meeting of October 10, 2007 Page 5 of 7 Hall said politically often times they hear from the public after the decision has been made and people are and should be asking what are the politicians thinking. He said that he is still not totally clear why Kalispell is so emphatic about the southern portion but the commissioners gent along with that decision and here we are. But since that decision was made Hall said, although he can't speak for the other commissioners, he has had a change of heart. There is a new highway on 93 South and he has heard people say they would be building a road to nowhere. Hall asked, ghat is the point? Jentz said his discussions with the downtown community is when the bypass is in they have relief and the reality is until the bypass is completed from Gardner's to Reserve the downtown will not get relief. Kailey agrees with Phases 1 & 5. He said it is a compromise between where the community is actually experiencing congestion v. what they told the public they were going to do. Hall supports Phases 1 & 5 and maybe Phase 6 too. He said the new Reserve Loop, although it is great, has created some dysfunctio 1. Hall added that is where the growth is and that is where they need to be looking to protect the citizens. Hansz said he represents the city and he won't assume that the council will change their decision. However, as an engineer he feels it is prudent to look at the realities of cost v. project. Hansz suggested providing 2 options to hopefully assert the governing body in making the decision and recommendation based on which of the 2 packages makes the most sense. Hansz suggested the following options be recommended: Phase 1 (Preloading/ Drainage) plus the 2 Ashley Creek bridges and Foys Lake Road bridge - $8.4 million; Phase 1 (Preloading/ Drainage) and 5 (Hutton Ranch Road/Reserve) - $7.3 million. Hall thought only 1 option should be forwarded and Hansz noted if only 1 option was forwarded he would support Phase 1 and the Ashley Creek North and South and Foys Lake Road bridges - $8.4 million. There was further discussion regarding the options and whether 1 or 2 recommendations should be forwarded. MOTION I Hall moved and Herzog seconded a motion to forward the following phasing option for the bypass construction to the Kalispell City Punning Board Minutes of the meeting of 0c:tober 10, 2007 Page 6of7 county commissioners and city council for their consideration and approval: Phase 1 (Preloading & Drainage) , Ashley Creek North and South Bridges, and Phase 5 (Hutton Ranch Road/ Reserve) -- $9.9 million. ROLL CALL The motion passed on a roll call vote of 6 in favor and one opposed. UPDATE ON No update was presented. TRANSPORTATION" CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES IN KALISPELL AREA CONFIM NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 4, DATE 2007. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at approximately 3. 2 5 p.m. Tom Jentz Michelle Anderson Chairman Recording Secretary APPROVED as submitted/corrected: /-/07 Kalispell City Planning Board Minutes of the meeting of October 10, 2007 Page 7 of 7 KALISPELL BYPASS - SUMMARY OF COSTS October 10, 2007 .... . ... .... Preload & Drainage . . ... . . . ..... $0.3 $4,0 $4.3 .. . .. ....... ....... .... . . ..... . ..... 93 South to Airport ... . . ... .. ... $0.2 .. . ....... $8.8 . .... . ... ...... .. ... $9.0 Airport ($7.0) ....... Foys to US2 .... ............. .... . . $0.0 $6.0 $6.0 US HWY 2 ($9.7) Airport to Foys Foys Lake ($5. 1 ) Subtotal South Projects $0.9 $28.7 $29.6 $21.8 Reserve' Dri,v-e,So'ut-6 /40772W ....... . . .... $0.4 $2.6 $3.0 Reserve Loop to Reserve Drive South . . . . . ...... .... ...... . ... $0.6 . ...... . .. $8.3 $8.9 US 2 to 3 Mile $0.2 . . . ....... ..... $9.4 $9.6 Two Mile ($2.6) 4 Mile to Reserve Loop . . ......... . .. ..... . . .... $0.0 $7.7 $7.7 . . ...... . . . . .... 3 Mile to 4 Mile . . . .. ...... . ..... .... ... . ...... . . . ...... . . . ..... .... . .. ... . Subtotal North Projects $1.5 $34.0 $35.5 $2.6 $2.4 .. .... ..... $62.7 $65.=1 Includes 8% Mobilization, 5% Contingency, 3 Years Inflation, 10% Const. Engineering and 12.25% IDC Does loot Include Riht-of-Way Costs �jnf-f 71T lane est ;i frnmary )(Is A Tr-- rl')P 2nn ?1, F I V I