Discussion of proposed Highway 14 safety improvements will continue Wednesday
Apr. 23—ROCHESTER — Options related to proposed safety projects along U.S. Highway 14 west of Rochester will be discussed Wednesday by the Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments.
The joint-powers council, which features city, county and township representatives, voted earlier this month to cut plans for temporary intersection changes at the Olmsted County Road 44 intersection from the combined project that would also make changes at Olmsted County Road 3 near Byron and install high-tension cable barriers along the roadway.
The
issue was addressed on April 11
due to increased cost estimates based on rising material prices, which boosted the total projected budget from $2.2 million to $4.3 million.
The council, which approves planned local spending of federal transportation funds, asked to remove the portion of the project at County Road 44 since state lawmakers are considering
a request for nearly $21.8 million
to help construct a new interchange at the site, which would also include bridging the highway at Seventh Street Northwest.
The interchange project is in the design phase, with a preliminary estimated to cost of $40 million for construction.
During the April 11 discussion, Minnesota Department of Transportation Assistant District Engineer Greg Paulson said the requested change in the combined safety project could delay this year's work, since plans would need to be revised.
In an updated report to the council, commonly referred to as ROCOG, county planners said their state counterparts have determined the new plans and a related construction contract cannot be readied by June, which is the end of the state's fiscal year.
It leaves the ROCOG members with the need to reverse its April 11 action to retain access to designated federal funds.
After that, they have three options:
* Adopt the $4.3 million plan originally proposed.
* Approve the nearly $2.5 million for the cable barrier with construction delayed to next year
* Leave the project as it was before April 11, which would mean neither part of the project is adequately funded, based on the most recent cost estimates.
The options will be considered during the ROCOG meeting at noon Wednesday in conference room A at 2122 Campus Drive SE in Rochester. Additional information regarding online access to the meeting is available on the agenda posted at
https://olmstedcounty.primegov.com/public/portal
.
Meetings scheduled to be held during the week of April 25 include:
Rochester
* City Council special learning session, 3:30 p.m. Monday in room 163A of the Development Services and Infrastructure Center, 4001 West River Parkway.
* Public Utility Board, 4 p.m. Tuesday in the Rochester Public Utilities community room, 4000 East River Road NE.
* Heritage Preservation Commission, 5 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers of the Government Center, 151 Fourth St. SE.
* Music Board, 7 p.m. Tuesday in room 104 of City Hall, 201 Fourth St. SE.
* Outside Agency Oversight Committee, 2 p.m. Wednesday in room 104 of City Hall.
* Planning and Zoning Commission, 6 p.m. Wednesday in council chambers of the Government Center.
* Police Civil Service Commission, 3 p.m. Thursday in room 164B of the Development Services and Infrastructure Center.
Olmsted County
* Board of County Commissioners special meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday in the board chambers of the Government Center.
* Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments, noon Wednesday in conference room A at 2122 Campus Drive SE in Rochester. Online access information is posted at
