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Faribault approves final plans and bid schedule for $1.5M Northern Links Trail extension
Summary
Council approved final plans, specifications and a June bid opening for the Northern Links Trail, a project expected to cost just over $1.5 million and to include a boxed-culvert railroad crossing requiring a seven-day rail outage window.
The Faribault City Council on May 27 approved final plans and set bid dates for the Northern Links Trail project, a years‑long effort to complete a trail loop that includes a box‑culvert crossing beneath railroad tracks.
Public works director Mark Duchain said the project will complete an underpass and trail extension along the south side of Trunk Highway 3 and includes work under the Canadian Pacific Railroad that requires a planned seven-day railroad outage. The city negotiated agreements with railroad stakeholders that allow removal of track and ties for a seven-day consecutive window; the railroad subcontractor will reinstall track and ballast when the work is complete. Duchain said the city faces a $2,000-per-day penalty to the end users on that rail line if the work prevents shipments beyond the agreed window.
Duchain estimated the total project cost, including contingencies and railroad costs, at just over $1.5 million, funded in part by roughly $660,000 in federal transportation funds and an additional approximately $200,000 in state program funds. The council set a June 18 bid opening and anticipated awarding the contract at the June 24 council meeting. Construction timing will depend on contractor scheduling and the box‑culvert sequencing; Duchain said the city expects to start work after summer events that could cause traffic conflicts.
Council approved the resolution to set plans and bid dates by voice vote.
