Editor’s Note: The Citizen’s Advocate reached out to representatives from MnDOT with a series of questions that have been raised by local residents concerning the upcoming Highway 108 project. 

Lori Vanderhider, of MnDOT, answered the following questions that we are including in a question and answer format. 

MnDOT has proposed a complete streets reconstruction in the City of Henning.  Complete Streets is an approach to road planning and design that considers and balances the needs of all transportation users. It’s about the basics: improving the transportation systems safety and functionality for all users. 

Its main premise is nothing more than for people to get around safely and efficiently from point A to point B, using whatever mode of travel they choose.   When MnDOT is deciding whether to invest tax dollars in a complete streets reconstruction project we take a holistic approach balancing the needs with the investment, considering safety, pedestrian needs and utility needs of the community.  

This project proposes to implement some of the recommendations from the Safe Routes to School Plan.  The Transportation Alternatives (TA) Grant the City applied for indicated 15’ sidewalks in the downtown area and also referenced the Safe Routes to School Plan. MnDOT supported the City in this request. The TA funds can be used only for pedestrian purposes.

What is needed to have the sidewalks be considered ADA compliant? What are the widths that are needed and how many wheelchair widths is legal for ADA compliance? 

The ADA minimum width for ADA compliant sidewalk is a 4’ clear distance sidewalk with 5’ passing every 200’, however there are several factors that go into sidewalk design such as the context (residential verses downtown), shy distance from a building face and other obstructions,  door swings and  sign and utility placement area.  In addition to these design criteria there is also a slope requirement for the walkable area of the sidewalk.  In order to achieve this and still match in to the building entrances and the roadway there needs to be an additional width to make up elevation differences.  In a downtown area like Henning the minimum recommended width would be 10’ measured from the back of the curb.

What requirements does Henning need to follow to be able to keep the $150,000 grant for pedestrian safety as part of the project. Right now the proposal shows 3 bump outs, as well as a 4 foot width  increase of a sidewalk. Could the width of the sidewalk be narrowed to maybe 11 feet from what is being proposed instead of 13 feet and still have the community receive this grant funding?

What are MnDOTs minimum and maximum widths for a parking lane they will pay for? 

If Henning were to want to install a larger parking lane than what is being proposed, for example going from a 14 foot parking lane to a 12 foot parking lane on each side, and increasing the size of the sidewalk from 9 foot to 11 foot, could it do so and not risk losing the $150,000 grant for pedestrian safety? What would the additional cost be for the City of Henning for paying for that 2 additional feet of parking lane?

If the City chooses to leave the roadway as is MnDOT would proceed with a mill and overlay.  The City could request that municipal utility work be included in the project.  MnDOT would accommodate this at City cost. Any cost above that of the mill and overlay would be City responsibility.

What is the length of the sidewalk being installed as well as the road. Will there be new sidewalks installed as part of the project or will they just remain in the location in which they are currently located? Where does the road part of the project start and stop?

MnDOT’s proposed project is showing sidewalk on the east from the church entrance to Holden Ave. and on the west from Milne to the Dollar Store.  We are looking to the City to confirm the sidewalk limits they want included in the project.

What is the total projected price for the project in Henning, both road and sidewalks? This could be just a projected cost as it hasn’t went out to bids yet. Can you also break this down into different scenarios. 

1. What is the cost of the projected project as you presented it from MnDOT? 

2. What would be the projected cost if Henning were to leave the width of the parking lane and sidewalks the way it is (understanding that the City of Henning may be on the hook for the additional cost of the four feet of parking lane)

3. What would be the projected cost if the City of Henning were to narrow the parking lane by 2 feet and increase the sidewalks by 2 feet.

Cost participation follows MnDOT’s Cost Participation Guidelines.  The cost participation would be determined by the scope of the project, whether it is a complete streets reconstruction or a mill and overlay.

Until we know what the project includes it is difficult to come up with an estimated cost.  MnDOT has $3,271,540 budgeted for a complete streets reconstruction project.  This includes money which MnDOT must upfront for any City utility work included in the project. The estimate for the City Utility work is based on an early estimate and may no longer be accurate.  The estimated City cost for 10 percent cost share in parking lanes is $27,500.  

The City’s estimated cost in sidewalk as proposed is $50,000.  A rapid red flashing beacon (RRFB) at the mid-block crossing has an estimated cost of $10,000.  TA funds could be applied to an RRFB.  This is based on the complete streets reconstruction as proposed.  The biggest City cost will be for their utility replacement and any utility relocations such as lighting.  There are also prorated costs for things like mobilization, traffic control and field office/lab and a percentage cost in contract administration.  Until we receive an estimate from the city for their utility work and a decision on the roadway width we aren’t able to provide an estimate for the City’s overall project cost.

TA funds could be applied to this.  This is based on the complete streets reconstruction as proposed.  The biggest City cost will be for their utility replacement and any utility relocations such as lighting.  There are also prorated costs for things like mobilization, traffic control and field office/lab and a percentage cost in contract administration.  Until we receive an estimate from the city for their utility work and a decision on the roadway width we aren’t able to provide an estimate for the City’s overall project cost.