BE IT RESOLVED, that the County Administrator be authorized to negotiate Agreement PW 29-40-19 with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT Agreement 1033763), accepting state bridge bond grant funds to replace the Fremont Avenue Bridge (CP 1005783) over the Midtown Corridor in south Minneapolis during the period June 15, 2019 through December 21, 2020 with an estimated receivable amount of $661,525; that following review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to accept and disburse funds as directed; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Hennepin County does hereby agree to the terms and conditions of the grant, consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 174.50, and will pay any additional amount by which the cost exceeds the estimate, and will return to the Minnesota State Transportation Fund any amount appropriated for the bridge, but not required; and the proper county officers are authorized to execute a grant agreement and any amendments thereto with the Commissioner of Transportation concerning CP 1005783; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that whereas federal-aid funds are being used to participate in the cost of the bridge, the Minnesota State Transportation Fund grant shall be deposited directly into the federal-aid agency account and that the records of Hennepin County shall so state; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a supplemental appropriation of $661,525 be added to the Fremont Avenue Bridge (CP 1005783) replacement project, be approved; and that the Controller be authorized to disperse funds as directed

History: The Fremont Avenue Bridge over the Midtown Corridor in south Minneapolis was built in 1912-1913. Studies indicate that this bridge is in an advanced state of deterioration with a sufficiency rating of 27.4 (according to Federal Highway Administration guidelines, a bridge is eligible for replacement funding if the sufficiency rating is less than 50) and is likely not a candidate for rehabilitation. Given its structural condition, the bridge has been closed to vehicular traffic by the City of Minneapolis.

Hennepin County applied for a grant from the Minnesota State Transportation Fund for construction of Bridge Number 27J72 and the Commissioner of Transportation has given notice that funding for this bridge is available. The amount of the grant has been determined to be $661,525 by reason of the lowest responsible bid.

In 2017, the Hennepin County Board approved a number of actions in the replacement of the Fremont Avenue Bridge (Resolution 17-0339):

• Amended the 2017 Hennepin County Prioritized Bridge Improvement List to include the Fremont Avenue Bridge (CP 1005783) replacement project, proposed for 2019 construction;

• Entered into cost participation agreements with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) (A165855) and the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (A177733);

• Requested additional financial assistance in the form of state bridge bond funds from MnDOT with eligible approach grading and engineering costs for the bridge as provided by law;

• Identified the Fremont Avenue Bridge (CP 1005783, State Project 027-596-011) replacement as a project in the 2017 Capital Budget with a project budget of $4,600,000

Separately, the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority entered into Agreement A165856 with the City of Minneapolis for cost participation in the replacement of the Fremont Avenue Bridge (CP 1004767) (Resolution 17-HCRRA-0038).

MnDOT has subsequently approved the county’s additional financial assistance request with $661,525 in state bridge bond grant funds for certain eligible items.

Current Request: Authorization to negotiate Agreement PW 29-40-19 with MnDOT to accept $661,525 in state bridge bond grant funds for the reconstruction of the Fremont Avenue Bridge over the Midtown Corridor in south Minneapolis for the period June 15, 2019 through December 31, 2020 and authorization to add a supplemental appropriation of $661,525 to the Fremont Avenue Bridge (CP 1005783) replacement project. 

Impact/Outcomes: Accepting these funds will lower the amount of funding needed from the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority and the City of Minneapolis.