Council approves plans and bids for I‑94 lift station, force main; culvert replacement included

Lake Elmo — The City Council voted to approve plans and direct staff to advertise bids for the I‑94 Lift Station and force main improvements, a project staff says will replace a repeatedly failing force main and a deteriorating culvert near Hudson Boulevard.

City engineering staff described the work as replacing approximately 3,000 feet of existing 8‑inch PVC force main with a new 16‑inch outside‑diameter high‑density polyethylene (HDPE) line. City engineer Nathan (last name Stanley) said the lift station pumps must be replaced to operate with the new main; the pumps were not in the current CIP estimate and a vendor quote for three pumps is approximately $150,000.

The culvert replacement was added to the lift station project to take advantage of shared road closure and mobilization. Staff said a failing 90‑inch corrugated metal culvert discovered during development work is being replaced with a 72‑inch culvert sized to current drainage needs. Combining the two projects is expected to reduce overall cost and disturbances, staff said.

Cost, schedule and traffic impacts: Staff reported a current estimated total project cost of roughly $940,000 (force main about $615,000; culvert about $325,000). The city’s CIP previously listed $900,000 for the force main and $400,000 for the culvert; contingencies and engineering bring the estimate in line with budget expectations, staff said. Bids will be accepted July 8, with a contract recommendation expected July 15. Work is anticipated to begin in early August, with substantial completion targeted by mid‑October and final completion by the end of the year. Staff warned the lift station location will require a localized road closure on Hudson Boulevard; initial estimates are 3–4 weeks and a one‑way configuration with detours via Julia Avenue to Fifth Street and Inwood Avenue is planned. Westbound access between Inwood and Eagle Point will be maintained.

Why the approach was chosen: Staff said the existing PVC force main has experienced multiple breaks and its location cannot be reliably traced; upsizing to 16‑inch HDPE and performing the replacement through localized pits and bore work is intended to improve durability and reduce future emergency repairs. Nathan Stanley said lining the pipe would not provide the same level of certainty and likely would cost as much or more than open replacement for this line.

Council discussion and conditions: Council members pressed staff on whether doing the culvert and force main together produced cost savings — staff estimated a packaging savings perhaps in the 15–20% range versus separate contracts. Council member Hurd asked whether separating the projects would reduce cost; staff said a separate culvert project later would likely be more expensive and could force emergency repairs if the culvert failed in the interim.

The council approved the plans and ordered the advertisement for bids (resolution 2025‑046). Council members thanked staff for a thorough report and for bringing the culvert scope forward while the road will be open. Staff noted that the three new pumps will be brought back to council separately for procurement and funding authorization.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 2025‑046 (plans and specs, advertise for bids for I‑94 lift station and force main improvements) — outcome: approved (voice vote; no nays recorded).

Speakers recorded on this item included Nathan Stanley (city engineering staff), Council member Hurd, Council member Jakesic, Council member Holtz, and Mayor Caden Head.

Implementation notes: Staff will advertise for bids July 8, return July 15 with award recommendation, and plan construction in August; pump procurement (approx. $150,000 quote for three pumps) will be handled as a separate procurement and brought back to council.