Title
Requesting a variance from Minnesota Department of Transportation Municipal State Aid Rules for the modification of the Saint Peter Street Bridge (Bridge 62897), which includes an indemnification guarantee (State Aid Operation for Project No. S.P. 164-236-010).
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works plans to modify Bridge 62897 on MSAS 236, Saint Peter Street N, to add a separated two-way bikeway; and
WHEREAS, Saint Peter Street N across the Bridge 62897 is classified as a minor arterial street with an average daily traffic volume of approximately 2,000 vehicles per day, and a posted speed limit of 25 miles per hour; and
WHEREAS, Bridge 62897 is owned by MnDOT but part of the State Aid Network for which the City of Saint Paul receives formula funding for the maintenance and operation of these streets; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Rule for State Aid Operation 8820.9936 (Minimum Design Standards, Urban; New or Reconstruction Projects) provides dimensional standards for urban reconstructed roadways; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota State Aid Rule 8820.9936 states that one-way streets must have at least two through-traffic lanes; and
WHEREAS, Saint Peter Street N across the Bridge 62897 is proposed to be a single lane one-way roadway in order to make space for a separated bikeway on the bridge; and
WHEREAS, a working group of Public Works engineers and transportation planners has confirmed that a single lane bridge with eighteen feet (18’) minimum between the curbs can accommodate this volume and speed of vehicles; and
WHEREAS, Saint Paul Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) have reviewed the proposed bridge design and confirmed that it will not delay any incident response; and
WHEREAS, Saint Paul Street Maintenance and Bridge Maintenance Divisions have confirmed that maintenance is feasible; and
WHEREAS, MnDOT requires an indemnification guarantee; and
WHEREAS, modifying Bridge 62897 to be a single lane one-way roadway would require a variance from Municipal State Aid Rules subject to the approval of the Minnesota Department of Transportation; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that we do hereby authorize the Department of Public Works to request a variance for a single lane one-way roadway on MSAS 236 Saint Peter Street Bridge 62897 from 11th Street to 12th Street in lieu of the required two through-traffic lanes; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Department of Public Works will not initiate these changes until after it has received variance approval for the lane width reduction from the Minnesota Department of Transportation; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council hereby indemnifies, saves and holds harmless the State of Minnesota and its agents and employees of and from claims, demands, actions, or causes of action arising out of or by reason of the granting of the variance. The city further agrees to defend at its sole cost and expense any action or proceeding commenced for the purpose of asserting any claim arising as a result of the granting this variance.