School Boulevard Safety Improvements Project

Purpose

Increase pedestrian safety and reduce potential conflict points along the School Boulevard corridor.

Estimated Construction Timeline

• Tree Clearing Before March 31, 2023
• Small Utility Relocation: April-May
• Trail Construction: After June 5-August 7

Project Improvements

The improvements in the project include the following:

• New pedestrian crossing at the Meadow Oak Avenue and Fenning Avenue roundabout crossing Fenning Avenue.
• Extension of the sidewalk in-front of Eastview Education Center connecting south to School Boulevard to help with bus drop-off and pick-up.
• Enhanced pedestrian crossing with center refuge island on School Boulevard at Pelican Lane.
• Removal of pedestrian crossing on School Boulevard at Eider Lane.
• Enhanced pedestrian crossing with center refuge island on School Boulevard between Eider Lane and Fallon Avenue.
• Improvements to the School Boulevard High School entrance to include right-turn channelization for vehicles exiting the parking lot and a refuge island for pedestrians.
• Install radar feedback speed signs on School Boulevard.
• Extend trail on the south side of School Boulevard between Cardinal Hills Park and Fenning Avenue.

Project Background

In 2020, the City and Monticello School District received a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) grant from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) to complete an engineering study identifying safety improvements along School Boulevard. This corridor encompasses the 120- acre school complex that includes the Monticello High School, Little Mountain Elementary, and Eastview Education Center.

The study identified several improvements that could be made to increase safety. Using the information gathered in the study, the City and Monticello School District submitted a SRTS infrastructure grant application. The grant program is funded through the Transportation Alternative program and is administered by MNDOT.

In April 2021, the City was notified that the grant application was awarded $330,051 from MNDOT to complete the project. The total project is estimated at $750,000 with the school district contributing $55,000 to the project cost. The City posted a request for proposals for engineering services for the improvements on the City and League of MN Cities websites, and five proposals were received. Staff recommended awarding the project to WSB.

City Council Approval

On Monday, Nov. 8, 2022 City Council authorized WSB to provide engineering services for the improvement project, based on the information provided in their proposal and cost. The anticipated project schedule specifies a bid date in March 2022, depending on federal documentation approval, with construction complete in the fall of 2023.