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Road Advisory Committee Minutes--September 29, 2003 2 <br /> <br />Mr. Johnson asked about Highway 38 from 1-94 to Highway 46. Mr. Berndt said <br />the pavement is in fairly good condition; however, the road does not have <br />shoulders and has relatively steep in slopes. He had not done a detailed cost <br />estimate, but would expect the cost to be between $1 and $2 million to add <br />shoulders and flatten the in slopes. <br /> <br />There was discussion on whether the county has statutory authority to continue <br />the 10-mill levy after 2004. Mr. Wagner asked what options the Commission had <br />for establishing a designated road fund with a Commission resolution after the <br />expiration of the 10-mill levy. Mr. Berndt believes the Commission has the <br />authority to continue to levy 10 mills for roads. He did not expect that a <br />resolution passed by a current commission regarding a road fund could be <br />binding on future commissions. <br /> <br />Mr. Berndt will contact Metropolitan Council of Governments to see if they are <br />available to conduct traffic counts on the three roads. <br /> <br />CURRENT PROJECT STATUS, Update <br />Mr. Berndt gave an update on 12th Avenue North and 40th Avenue South bridge <br />projects. He showed pictures of construction on each project and said both will <br />be completed in the next few weeks. During the design process, the <br />geotechnical consultants and local contractors were concerned that box culverts <br />could not be constructed due to the soil conditions in the river bottom. After <br />considerable investigation, a decision was made to proceed with box culverts in <br />spite of constructability concerns. New bridges at these locations would cost <br />between $1.2 and $1.5 million each. Box culverts cost $600,000 to $700,000 <br />each. He said box culverts were used in both locations successfully with a <br />construction cost savings in excess of $1 million compared to if bridges had been <br />constructed. In addition, box culverts provide a better long-term solution with <br />lower maintenance. <br /> <br />ADJOURNMENT <br />Thero being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:25 PM. <br /> <br />Minutes prepared by Heather Worden, Administrative Secretary <br /> <br /> <br />