Legacy Trail Extension

Feasibility Study

Patrick Lui Bicycle, Pedestrian & Trails Coordinator

Public Works

April 1, 2015

Discussion Outline

1. Background

2. Feasibility Study

Findings

3. Recommendations

4. Next Steps

2

Background - Existing Legacy Trail

• First Segment opened in

2008

• Over 120,000 users per

year

• 12-Foot Wide Shared

Multi-Use Path

• Shade Shelters every mile

• 10.6 Miles from Venice

Train Depot to

Culverhouse Nature Park

3

Background:

Legacy Trail North Extension Context Map

• 2013 - Friends of The

Legacy Trail petitioned

the Board of County

Commissioners to extend

trail

• BCC approved

conducting Phase 1

Feasibility study in

partnership with the

private sector (2013)

• Cardno, Inc. selected to

complete the first phase

of the feasibility study

4

Existing Conditions

Existing Legacy Trail Terminus

Terminus Condition

5

Existing Conditions:

Typical Rail Corridor Views North of Sawyer Loop Road Spur Lines North of Ashton Road

Tuttle Ave to Shade Ave Road Crossing

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Existing Conditions: Bridges

Phillippi Creek Main A

Phillippi Creek Main B

7

Existing Conditions

Standing Water Commercial Encroachment/Service Point

Railway Condition Residential Encroachment

8

Feasibility Study Design Options

Source: Google, Portlandpedalpower.com

Rails-To-Trails Rails-With-Trails

VS.

Structural Base in Place

Reduced Impact to Surrounding Area

Existing Ties Must Be Removed

Future Rail Use

Build Base through Cut and Fill

Added Stormwater and Wetland

Mitigation 9

Feasibility Study Design Criteria

• State and National standards;

evolving

• Most Widely used

• American Association of

State Highway and

Transportation Officials

(AASHTO)

• Minnesota Department of

Transportation (MNDOT)

• Proposed Amenities

• Shelters

• Drinking Water

• Bathrooms

• Interpretive Signs

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Design Concept

11

Feasibility Study Proposed Road Crossings

• 13 Road Crossings

• Signals

• Striping

• Signage

• Protected Median

Example of Mid-Block Crossing AASHTO

12

Rails-With-Trails Design Option

13

Rails-To-Trails Design Option

14

Construction Cost Estimate

Table 5 Construction Cost Comparison

Rails-to-Trails vs. Rails-with-Trails

Rails-to-Trails

Rails-with-

Trails

Trail Corridor $7,024,200

$9,403,300

Contamination Testing & Remediation $1,725,000

$1,775,000

Intersections

$1,095,500

$ 965,500

Shelters

$ 352,000

$ 372,800

Trail Heads

$1,360,000

$1,360,000

Bridges (2) over Phillippi Creek

$ 850,000

$1,015,000

Utilities at Trail Heads and Shelters $ 260,000

$ 260,000

Project - General

$4,180,000

$5,150,000

Project Cost Estimate Total

$16,846,700

$20,301,600

*Does not include land lease or purchase cost of the rail corridor

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Environmental Assessment

• Phase 1 Environmental Assessment Complete

• Recognized Environmental Conditions (REC)

Found

• Rail Road Related

• Herbicides and Creosote

• Industrial Land Uses

• Auto Repair and Dry Cleaning

• Adjacent Landscaping

• Above ground Storage Tanks

• Report Recommends Phase 2 Study ($250,000)

• Evidence Suggests potential impacts related to site

• Gaining Access through CSX and Seminole Gulf

Permits

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Recommendations

• Accept the Final Legacy Trail

Extension Feasibility Study.

• Direct the County Administrator to

obtain real estate appraisals for The

Legacy Trail Extension area.

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Next Steps

• Continue to work towards federal funding

of the Phase 2 Environmental Assessment

through the TIGER Grant application

process.

• Funding has been identified if the grant is

not awarded.

• County Staff will work with CSX and the

Trust for Public Lands to acquire

authorization to access the rail corridor.

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