as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/20/2018 09:16am
A bill for an act
relating to capital investment; appropriating money to replace the Rice Creek
railroad bridge in New Brighton.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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$1,550,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of transportation
for the rail service improvement program under Minnesota Statutes, section 222.50, for a
grant to Minnesota Commercial Railway Company to demolish the existing railroad bridge
over Rice Creek in New Brighton and to predesign, design, acquire any right-of-way needed,
engineer, construct, and equip a replacement railroad bridge to meet the needs of the railroad
operators that use the bridge. This appropriation is available when the commissioner of
management and budget determines that sufficient resources have been committed to
complete the project, as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.502. This appropriation
is available until the project is completed or abandoned subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
16A.642. This grant is contingent on:
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(1) review and approval of the railway company's design, engineering, and plans for the
project by Ramsey County to ensure the project does not interfere with recreational use of
adjacent park property and Rice Creek, and by the Rice Creek Watershed District to ensure
that the project's impact on flows in the creek is in accordance with the watershed district's
adopted rules. These reviews and approvals are in addition to any other reviews, permits,
or approvals required for the project;
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(2) Minnesota Commercial Railway Company removing all structures related to the
existing bridge from the Rice Creek stream bed as part of the demolition and removal of
the existing bridge, including any pilings, footings, or water control structures placed to
protect the existing bridge structures, except to the extent prohibited by a permitting authority,
including but not limited to the Department of Natural Resources and the United States
Army Corps of Engineers. The replacement bridge and structures will be the property of
the owner of the railroad right-of-way and railroad operator, as may be arranged between
them; and
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(3) Minnesota Commercial Railway Company entering into an agreement with Ramsey
County that gives the company access for both construction and ongoing maintenance of
the bridge, and that provides for repair of the county trail damaged by railway maintenance
work in the two years before the effective date of this section as well as immediately
following construction and any subsequent maintenance activities.
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In entering into a grant agreement with the commissioner of transportation, Minnesota
Commercial Railway Company is agreeing to cooperate with the city of New Brighton and
Ramsey County in development of crossings and trails in or near to the railway right-of-way
in the city.
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This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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