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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION TO THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR UP TO $1,000,000 FOR AN ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION GRANT TO PROVIDE PEDESTRIAN LIGHTING AND SHARED USE PATH IMPROVEMENTS FROM THE DEPOT PARKING LOT TO THE WEST END OF THE I-35 PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
RESOLVED, that the proper City officials are hereby authorized to apply to the Minnesota Department of Transportation for an Active Transportation Grant in an amount up to $1,000,000 to provide pedestrian lighting and shared used path improvements from the Depot parking lot to the West end of the I-35 pedestrian bridge, and provide a pedestrian connection on the lower side of Railroad Street.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City has the legal authority to apply for financial assistance, and the institutional, managerial and financial capacity to ensure adequate project administration and maintenance of the project;
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City is requesting the funds in federal fiscal year 2025, and will be responsible for all costs associated with the project beyond what is eligible or provided by the grant award;
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City hereby agrees to assume full responsibility for the operation and maintenance of property and facilities related to the aforementioned Active Transportation project;
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Duluth City council names the fiscal agent for this project as Jennifer Carlson, City of Duluth Chief Financial Officer, 411 West First Street, Duluth, MN 55802;
FURTHER RESOLVED, that upon approval of the application by the State, the Mayor and Clerk may enter into a grant agreement with the State of Minnesota for the above referenced projects and receive said grant payable into Capital Improvement Fund 450. Department 030 (Finance), Source 4220-01 (State of Minnesota-Capital), and that the City certifies that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations;
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to execute such documents as are necessary to implement the project on behalf of the City.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes application to the Minnesota Department of Transportation for a Transportation Alternative Program grant in the amount up to $1,000,000, the maximum allowed. This grant does not have a corresponding City match; however, the City will have to provide the design and construction engineering if awarded funds. The project will improve the safety for pedestrians and bicyclists that use the existing shared use path and bridge that connects users from downtown starting at the Depot to the West side of the I-35 pedestrian bridge. See the attached location map.
The grant request will include pedestrian scale lighting and remove and replace the existing shared use path due to its poor condition. Work will also include improving the existing rail crossings. In addition to the replacement of the existing shared use path, if funding is available, our second priority would be to also install a crosswalk at the pedestrian bridge to the bay side of Railroad Street and extend sidewalk north to connect to the existing sidewalk in front of
Pier B.
This work will complement and enhance the work proposed by MnDOT for the I-35 pedestrian bridge (which carries the Cross City Trail over I-35) which is currently under preliminary design. MnDOT has engaged the community on the aesthetics and preliminary design by holding monthly working groups. City staff has been involved and in attendance at those meetings. One of the outcomes of these meetings is that the City staff has recognized this project as an opportunity to provide pedestrian scale lighting to the I-35 pedestrian bridge, the approach ramps, and continue the lighting to the Depot parking lot. The lighting will enhance the existing pocket park, and provide safety for those traversing from Downtown or Bayfront Park to the Lincoln Park neighborhood.
The timing of the MnDOT work may or not coincide with any City grant if awarded, in which case we will allocate any grant funds to similar work in the area to ensure the full amount of any grant is expended. If we choose not to light the pedestrian bridge, the lighting of the ramp and shared use path can still be accomplished and will enhance the trip for all users.