Hyland Trail Project

What is the scope of this project?

This Project consists of an off-road bicycle/pedestrian trail along Bush Lake Road, W. 106th Street and Bloomington Ferry Road. This trail segment would link two existing trail systems, Bush Lake Road Trail at Hyland Lake Park Reserve and the Minnesota Valley State Trail at the Bloomington Ferry Road Trailhead as shown on the Alternative Transportation Plan. The trail will be 10 feet wide except for the section between W. 106th Street and W. 110th Street on Bloomington Ferry Road. The trail width on this section will be 15 feet wide, a striped 10 foot wide section for two-way bicycle travel, and a striped 5 foot section for pedestrians. Kiosk with trail map and bike racks will be installed in varies locations.

This project will fill a gap in the current trail system in Bloomington between the Hyland Park trail and the Old Bloomington Ferry Bridge crossing. In addition, Scott County is constructing a link to the Bloomington Ferry Bridge in 2014 which will complete the link from Bloomington to downtown Shakopee and Chaska.

How is the project funded?

The City of Bloomington has received federal Transportation Enhancement funds that will be used for the trail improvements.

Hyland Multi-Modal Trail Project Funding

• Federal Grant: $540,000
• DNR Grant: $150,000
• City Funds: $372,762

110th Trail Maintenance Funding

• City Funds: $86,285

The City anticipates construction to begin the spring of 2014 with completion the fall of 2014. What is the project schedule?How are pedestrians/bicyclist going to be impacted?

There will be times when segments of existing path or sidewalk will be closed and pedestrians/bicyclists will not have access. Please watch for signs directing you to the open trails or sidewalks.

What is the project history for neighborhood and public meetings?

• July 2008 - City Council adopted the Bloomington Alternative Transportation Plan (ATP). In this plan, the Hyland trail is classified as a core linking trail that serves both pedestrians and bicyclists and connects two existing trails systems.
• May 2009 - City Council adopted a resolution of support for the Hyland Trail project.
• June 2009 - City of Bloomington submitted a grant application for a federal transportation enhancement grant and was successful in being awarded $539,760 towards the project.
• September 17, 2012 - A Neighborhood Open House was held at the Bloomington Lutheran School Gymnasium to show various aspects of the proposed trail construction.
• October 8, 2012 - City Council ordered preparation of a feasibility report for the project.
• October 22, 2012 - A public hearing was held at City Council to order the project. Council adopted a resolution ordering the construction of the project. The main comments raised at the public hearing included tree removal, existing pedestrian usage, safety concerns on W 112th St. and striping of the existing street for bikes. Staff was asked to come back to Council to discuss design options south of W 110th Street.
• February 4, 2013 - At the study meeting, staff presented design options to Council for the project area south of W 110th Street.
• February 11, 2013 -A Neighborhood Open House was held in the Public Works Training Room to discuss the 3 proposed design options.
• February 25, 2013 -At the study meeting, staff presented design options to Council for the project area south of W 110th Street and addressed the concerns that were raised at the neighborhood open house on February 11.
• March 18, 2013 -City Council approved a resolution supporting the grant application for DNR Local Trail Connections Program for the Hyland Trail project.
• April 1, 2013 -A public hearing was held at City Council to determine trail alignment between W 110th Street and the Minnesota River. Council adopted Option C as the design for this section of the project as it achieves the following: Meets the Alternative Transportation Plan, improves sight distance, saves the most trees and involves less property acquisition and impact.
• July 15, 2013 -City Council authorized and directed staff to set "Just Compensation" figures and make offers to property owners for the right of way/easement acquisitions required for the Parcels (1-9).
• August 19, 2013 -City Council approved eminent domain resolution for the project with the possibility of needing eminent domain proceedings on Parcels 2-7.
• October 7, 2013 -City Council approved the agreement for a grant from DNR Local Trail Connections Program for the Hyland Trail Project in the amount of $150,000.
• December 2013 - Right of way for the project was secured through the eminent domain 90 day quick take process.
• January 28, 2014 - City Council approved plans, specifications and bid schedule.
• April 21, 2014 - City Council awarded the bid to Northwest Asphalt, Inc.
• May 2014 - Construction to begin.

Is there a liability for homeowners?

The liability of an owner or occupant of property abutting a public trail is no different than the liability associated with a public sidewalk. The general rule is that an abutting property owner, in the absence of a statute or ordinance to the contrary, does not owe to the public a duty to keep the sidewalk or trail in a safe condition. Not even the natural accumulation of snow, ice, leaves, dirt or acorns on the pavement of the trail or sidewalk creates liability for the abutting homeowner.

On the other hand, the property owner is liable for injuries to users of the sidewalk or trail resulting from a defective or dangerous condition which is created by or arises from the property owner's own acts or conduct, which constitutes negligence or a nuisance under the circumstances.

Therefore, to avoid potential liability, property owners should not reconstruct, resurface, alter or repair any City, County or State trail or sidewalk. If a resident sees a potentially dangerous condition on the trail or sidewalk, the resident should contact the City. Further, residents should not use the trail as a parking place, and should not place other obstructions on the surface of the trail or sidewalk.

What design standards were used for the trail?

The project was designed in accordance with the FHWA-Mn/DOT Stewardship Plan. For this project, the following design standards are applicable:

State Aid Geometric Design Standards:

• 8820.9995: State Aid Minimum Bicycle Path Standards
• Mn/DOT Bikeway Facility Design Manual, March 2007.
• Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MMUTCD)
• AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, 2012
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The project will be constructed in accordance with the current edition of the Minnesota Department of Transportation's "Standard Specifications for Construction", including all Supplemental Specifications.

Updates

Throughout the project design and construction, updates will be provided via this website, the project update page listed below, through E-Subscribe, and via direct mailings to those property owners adjacent to the project.

June 2015

June 26, 2015

The Contractor has completed punch list work that involves lane closures at Bloomington Ferry Road and Old Shakopee Road.  Additional minor punch list work remains along the corridor that will not affect traffic.