PAC Meeting July 2, 2014

Agenda  Introductions and thanks  Project to date  Next steps  Questions

Project Purpose The purpose of the US 53 project is to address the termination of the 1960 easement agreement that affects the current highway location in order to continue to provide a transportation facility that will safely maintain adequate roadway capacity and mobility as well as local, regional, and inter-regional connectivity

Project Needs  Respond to the roadway easement terms; address the requirements set forth in agreements between the State of Minnesota and the land owner  Provide a facility that meets regional and inter-regional system connectivity needs and inter-regional highway corridor performance targets  Maintain local connectivity to the regional system and maintain efficiency of local connections  Provide a facility that serves current and future capacity needs while maintaining system mobility and safety

Project Goals  Constructing a permanent direct connection for US 53  Allowing United Taconite to mine the existing US 53 area in a timely manner  Minimize future resource encumbrance

Key Milestones  Scoping Document  February 2012  Scoping Decision Document  September 2012  Amended Scoping Decision Document  September 2013

Routes in the Amended Scoping Decision Document

Alternative M-1  Pros  Cons

Alternative E-1A (Reinforced Soil Slope Fill)  Pros  Cons

Alternative E-1A (Bridge)  Pros  Cons

Alternative E-2  Pros  Cons

Environmental Work To Date  Traffic  Right-of-Way  Economic and Business  Parks & Recreation/Section 4(f)/6(f) Lands  Cultural Resources  Land Use  Environmental Justice  Social, Neighborhood, and Community Facility Impacts  Visual and Aesthetic Impacts  Utilities  Water Supply and Water Body Modification  Wetlands  Surface Water/Water Quantity and Quality  Geology and Soils/Soil Erosion  Noise  Air Quality  Vegetation and Cover Types  Fish & Wildlife/Threatened & Endangered Species  Hazardous Materials and Contaminated Properties  Excess Material  Geotechnical and Earthborne Vibration  Climate Change  Construction Related Impacts

Technical Work To Date  Subsurface Taconite Assessment and Drilling Report  Alternative M-1 Air Quality Mitigation Assessment  Traffic Analysis Technical Report  Water Management Study  Water Resources Technical Report  Cultural Resources Evaluation Reports  Estimate of In-Situ Resources  Environmental Site Assessments  Noise Impacts Technical Report  Geotechnical Engineering Report  Seismic Study  Economic Impact Study

Draft Environmental Impact Statement  Status  Reviewed by FHWA  Final revisions then ready to be reviewed by other agencies  EIS Process  Publication of Draft EIS  Public comment period  Identification of the preferred alternative  Final EIS  Record of Decision

Engineering Issues (for all alternatives)  Probably the most challenging project in the nation  Geotechnical  Unknown, non-homogenous mine fill  No similar examples worldwide  Stability for high fills and bridge foundations

Examples of Challenges  Alternative E-1A – highest reinforced soil slope in the country  Bridge foundations – fill  Hardest rock in the world  Limited construction seasons  Accessing the pit areas  Seismic impacts  Water quality concerns/drinking water  Mine standards

Geotechnical Impacts  Costs  High fill  Material needed  Placement techniques  Time and seasonality  Bridge structure and bridge foundation type

Fill Type

What is being done to address issues?  Drilling in the Rouchleau Pit (2013 and 2014)  Test cores  Seismic testing  Rotosonic sampling  Soil borings and exploration along routes  Geological mapping  Researching old records  Dewatering study  Numerous technical experts on specific topics from MnDOT and nationwide working as a team

Test Foundations Contract  Three different types of bridge foundations  Drilled shaft  16” and 24” drilled pile  Project letting – July 25  Anticipated start date – August 11  Pre-bid meeting – July 9 (view site and access)

Drilled Shaft and Drilled Pile

Test Foundation Results  Determine feasibility of construction within the existing fill material  Indicate best type of foundation and time to place  Will guide the bridge or fill type specified  Provide schedule and cost information

Next Steps Upon Test Contract Completion  Analyze test results  Determine bridge type/fill specifications  Update cost estimates  Continue with EIS process  Refine construction schedule

Frequently Asked Questions  Will the road be closed?  MnDOT is working to avoid a road closure  What is the new timeline?  Unknown at this time, but the next steps are…

Frequently Asked Questions  What is the current project cost?  Alternatives range from $240 million to $460 million  Where will the money come from?  Funding is being sought from state and federal sources, including grants and special programs

How will the project schedule be expedited?  Concurrent activities  Design  EIS  Easements being negotiated  Design factors include rapid construction techniques  CMGC construction

Questions?

Coffee & Conversation  Thursday, July 3, 2014  10:00-11:00 am at MnDOT  Thursday, August 7, 2014  10:00-11:00 am at MnDOT