City council to consider two project plans, underpass agreement

Three engineering-related items are on the agenda for tonight's Worthington City Council meeting.

Council members are slated to consider approval of plans for the Tower Street and 10^th Avenue street reconstruction and authorize advertisement of bids. The project includes vacancy of Tower Street from Clary Street to 11th Avenue and turning the portion of the street into a softball dedicated parking lot. The project was scheduled to be reconstructed in the 2025 Capital Improvement Plan.

Bids for the project would be received until 2:05 p.m. March 11, with the results brought before the council for award consideration during its regular meeting March 23.

Also scheduled for consideration is approval of plans and specifications for the Third Avenue Water and Sanitary Sewer Main Reconstruction. This project was scheduled to be reconstructed in 2026 and street reconstruction in 2027. The bid deadline for this project would also be March 11, with award consideration on March 23 as well.

The third engineering item on tonight's agenda is potential approval of a public pedestrian underpass crossing agreement with Union Pacific Railroad Co. An Engineering Department memo included in the council packet states that a critical component of the East Okabena Lake Trail project is the installation of a pedestrian underpass at the railroad crossing with a 14 feet x 10 feet precast concrete box culvert. 

This phase of construction requires a coordinated effort where the city is responsible for the placement and filling of the gap between the culvert and the existing abutment, while the railroad handles the removal and reconstruction of the track and ballast section. 

The total cost for this portion of the project is estimated at $300,687. Under the terms of the agreement, the city assumes 100% of these costs, as well as any additional expenses that may arise during construction. The city would also be responsible for all future maintenance and repairs of the underpass for as long as the structure remains on railroad property.