PROJECT TITLE: Rocori Trail Phase 3 I. PROJECT STATEMENT The Rocori Trail Construction Board (RTCB) is applying to the LCCMR for funds to complete the design and construction of Phase 3 (2.3 miles) of the Rocori Trail. The trail will be constructed on the former BNSF railroad corridor along Trunk Highway 23 in Stearns County and will connect the cities of Richmond, Cold Spring, Rockville and two adjoining Townships. The entire Rocori Trail corridor is owned by the Rocori Trail Construction Board. Upon completion of Phase 3, the trail will be approximately 7 miles long, 10 feet wide, paved and ADA compliant (See attached map). Phases 1 and 2 have been completed with local, state and federal dollars. The primary users of the Rocori Trail will be pedestrians, bicyclists, roller bladers, snowmobilers, and will be accessible for wheelchair use in and around the cities of Richmond, Cold Springs, Rockville, the Townships of Wakefield and Munson, and most of Stearns County. The Rocori Trail is also connected to the Glacial Lakes State Trail that runs approximately 50 miles from Willmar to Richmond. Future links include connections to the Lake Wobegon Trail (St. Joseph/Todd County), Central Lakes Trail (Fergus Falls/Alexandria), Lake Koronis Trail (Paynesville) and Beaver Island Trail (St. Cloud) which would create over 100 miles of trail connectivity to the region. User of the trail will also be able to view the various wildlife along the trail route including deer, fox coyote, rabbits, eagles, geese, grouse, hawks, pheasants and turkeys as well as a wide variety of wild flowers and plants. The Rocori Trail provides connections to many area features/attractions along the trail route including recreational facilities, historical and natural resources, elementary and secondary schools, commercial, industrial, and retail businesses, and specifically, the Sauk River, Historic Downtowns, Cold Spring Dam and Falls, Scenic and Recreational Parks, Rockville Granite Quarry, Eagle Park, Scenic Rural Countryside Vistas and the Rockville County Park. The planning, design and construction of the Rocori Trail has been a collaborative effort with support from the Rocori Trail Committee, City of Rockville, City of Cold Spring, City of Richmond, Stearns County, MN DNR, National Parks Service, Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota, the Rocori Area Community Foundation, Schools, and the residents of the participating communities. The total estimated cost of Phase 3 of the Rocori Trail is estimated to be $2,437,270. The RTCB has expended $365,000 to date on the project. The RTCB received $812,270 from the MN Department of Transportation through its FY'21 Transportation Alternatives Program eligible for construction and is requesting $1,260,000 from the LCCMR for the balance of the project cost. II. PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND OUTCOMES Activity 1 Title: Project Engineering Description: Design, Wetlands Permitting and Mitigation, Construction Materials Testing, Staking, Inspection, and Construction Administration of Phase 3. ENRTF BUDGET: $368,270 Outcome Completion Date 1. Completion of Plans and Specifications August 2020 2. Final Design Review September 2020 3. Completion of Bidding Documents November 2020 Activity 2 Title: Project Construction Description: Construction of Rocori Trail Phase 3 ENRTF BUDGET: $891,730 Outcome Completion Date 1. Project Bid January 2021 2. Construction Start May 2021 3. Construction Completed June 2022 III. PROJECT PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS: Rocori Trail Construction Board City of Richmond Elected Officials and Staff City of Cold Spring Elected Officials and Staff City of Rockville Elected Officials and Staff Stearns County Staff MN Department of Transportation Staff MN Department of Natural Resources Rocori Area Community Foundation IV. LONG-TERM IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING: The operation and maintenance of all phases of this project is under the auspices of the Rocori Trail Construction Board (RTCB) and the cities of Richmond, Cold Spring, and Rockville have agreed to share on the maintenance for the RTCB for a minimum of 20 years. The trail will be constructed with materials that require a low level of maintenance over the next 20 years. The cities annually evaluate the condition and operations of the trail. Seasonal maintenance (mowing, weed control, sweeping, trail repair, etc.) is estimated to be $15,000 annual for all three phases of the project. This will be a line item in each of the cities' annual budget. V. SEE ADDITIONAL PROPOSAL COMPONENTS: A. Proposal Budget Spreadsheet B. Visual Component or Map F. Project Manager Qualifications and Organization Description G. Letter or Resolution H. Financial Capacity/Joint Powers Agreement