Corridors of Commerce Project 4 Readiness Advancement ? for Planning and Project Development to improve Highway 15 from Highway 23 to Highway 10

MnDOT Contract Number: 1062907
Exhibit A: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work
STATE PROJECT (SP) 7303-55 - CORRIDORS OF COMMERCE PROJECT FOR READINESS ADVANCEMENT-
FOR PLANNING AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT TO IMPROVE HIGHWAY 15 FROM HIGHWAY 23 TO
HIGHWAY 10 IN THE CITIES OF ST CLOUD, SARTELL, SAUK RAPIDS, AND WAITE PARK
Figure 1: Minnesota (MN) Highway 15 Corridor - Stearns County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 137 to United
States (US) Highway 10
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MnDOT Contract Number: 1062907
Exhibit A: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work
SP 7303-55 OVERVIEW:
This project was identified as one of five planning and predesign projects announced in the fourth round
of the Corridors of Commerce Readiness Advancement program in January 2026. The Corridors of
Commerce Readiness Advancement program provides funding to help with planning, scoping, predesign
and more for future projects that will improve capacity and freight movement. The Corridors of
Commerce program was created by the Minnesota Legislature in 2013 with a goal of focusing
transportation investments on state highway projects that directly and indirectly foster economic
growth for the state of Minnesota. The program is outside of MnDOT's regular State Road Construction
program and Corridors of Commerce funding is dependent on legislative appropriation. More
information on the corridor of commerce program can be found here: Corridors of Commerce - MnDOT
(state.mn.us) and includes the following project specific information: State Highway 15 from Stearns
CSAH 137 to US Highway 10 (St Cloud to Sauk Rapids) - Planning and Project Development to improve
capacity and freight movement: $2,500,000.
MnDOT's District 3 is requesting responses from qualified Contractors to provide professional and
technical expertise to conduct a complex and comprehensive traffic, travel and safety analysis,
preliminary design and recommendations for mobility, safety, and access improvements to MN
Highway 15 from Stearns CSAH 137 in St. Cloud to US Highway 10 in Sartell/Sauk Rapids.
This study will identify, prioritize, and select improvements through a comprehensive analysis of
existing and future demographics, land use, development, and transportation operations and safety
data. A robust public engagement effort will accompany this planning study. Information gathered will
assist in identifying various strategies and solutions to address the needs along the corridor, which in
turn will be used to inform planned pavement preservation, rehabilitation, and safety and access
management projects identified in the District 10-year Capital Highway Investment Program (CHIP) as
well as any new projects not currently be included in the CHIP.
This 5.5-mile section of MN Highway 15 operates as a Principal Arterial serving local and regional trips,
including freight, recreational, commuter, pedestrian and non-motorized traffic, and is experiencing an
increase in the number of crashes along with access management concerns and mobility related
pressures.
The study will engage several planning partner agencies in management of the project: St. Cloud Area
Planning Organization (APO); Cities of St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids, Sartell and Waite Park; Benton and
Stearns Counties.
The project contains two major phases. The Contractor will prepare separate fee structures and
reports for Phase A and Phase B. Invoices and progress reports will also be submitted separately for
each phase.
This project includes two major phases.
Phase A: The Phase A corridor area is on MN Highway 15 from Stearns CSAH 137 to US Highway
10. The purpose of Phase A is to develop a comprehensive Corridor Study of MN Highway 15
corridor from Stearns CSAH 137 to US Highway 10. Contractor will:
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MnDOT Contract Number: 1062907
Exhibit A: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work
1. Update and expand upon data in the St Cloud APO 2020 Corridor Study on MN Highway 15
described in the PROJECT BACKGROUND to include the area north of 12th Street N to US
Highway 10.
2. Analyze and document existing conditions
3. Identify and assess future transportation needs
4. Support MnDOT in determining fiscally constrained near-, mid-, and long-term improvement
strategies and their associated costs.
5. The study area includes recommended improvements at key intersections and segments,
including:
a) South Junction of MN Highway 23 / 2nd St South
b) North Junction of MN Highway 23 / Division St
c) 3rd St North
d) 8th St North / Veterans Dr / Stearns CSAH 4
e) 12th St North
f) Stearns CSAH 120
g) Riverside Drive / Stearns CSAH 1
h) Benton CSAH 33 / Benton Dr North (interchange ramp area)
i) 18th St North
j) Benton CSAH 29
Phase B:
The Phase B interchange area of influence is from the south junction of MN Highway 15 / MN
Highway 23 / 2nd St to the north junction of MN 23 / Division St and to include up to 3rd St North.
The purpose of Phase B is to provide MnDOT with environmental analysis and environmental
documentation in the form of a State Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW), a federal
non-programmatic Categorical Exclusion (CATEX), Noise Report, Air Quality Report, and
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Impact Assessment and Offset Implementation Plan in order
to determine a Preferred Alternative, detailed Preliminary and Final Level 1 Geometric Layout,
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) approval, and construction limits adequate for
determining right-of-way limits for the following intersections:
1. MN Highway 15 at MN Highway 23 / 2nd St
2. MN Highway 15 at MN Highway 23 / Division St
The products and services needed for this project include, but are not limited to, geometric
layouts, detailed set of cross sections and construction limits developed in Bentley Open
Roads (ORD) Designer software, hydraulic report with ponding for permanent stormwater and
temporary sediment ponds as well as adequate outlets, culvert sizing, construction limit roll
plots, borings for piezometer readings if needed for ponding, wetland delineations,
supplemental surveying, utility coordination and possible utility impacts, finalizing both State
and Federal environmental documents, Noise Analysis, Air Quality Analysis, GHG Analysis, and
forecast of Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT).
The Contractor is responsible for completing all tasks necessary to obtain Municipal, State and
Federal approvals related to the scope outlined below. MnDOT provided deliverables that
support the Contractor's work are listed following each section.
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MnDOT Contract Number: 1062907
Exhibit A: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work
PREVIOUS STUDIES AND PLANS:
1. 2026/2027 - SP 0509-37 Replacing BR 05007 with BR 05003 over US Highway 10 - available by
request
2. December 2020 - St. Cloud APO Corridor Study on MN Highway 15 from MN 23 / 2nd Street to
12th Street N.
3. 2024 - Stearns County Corridor Study on CSAH 1 from CSAH 120 (Walmart) east to 9th Avenue N.
2023 - CSAH 1 Corridor Study Corridor Study Presentation - January 2024
4. March 2007 - Corridor Study on MN Highway 15 from Stearns CSAH 47 / CSAH 136 to US
Highway 10 in Benton County.
5. August 1994 - Final Study Report for improvements including the reconstructing of CSAH 29
with a folded diamond interchange at US Highway 10 (BR #05007) and an at-grade intersection
at State Highway 15.
6. 2022 APO Regional Active Transportation Plan
7. 2025 APO Safe Streets & Roads for All Comprehensive Safety Action Plan
8. MnDOT District 3 Freight Plan, January 2021
9. District 3 Manufactures' Perspectives on Minnesota's Transportation System, September 2020
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MnDOT Contract Number: 1062907
Exhibit A: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work
ANTICIPATED PROCESS SCHEDULE:
State Project 7303-55 Anticipated Process - Schedule
Phase A - Corridor Planning Study Phase Phase B - Preliminary Engineering Phase
Date (mo) Open House Deliverable Due Date Deliverable Due Date
Jul-26 Target NTP TBD Target NTP TBD
Aug-26 Project Kick -Off / PEP TBD
Sep-26
Oct-26
Nov-26
Dec-26 DRAFT Existing Conditions Assessment Report 12/4/2026
Jan-27 1
Feb-27 DRAFT Future Conditions Assessment Report 2/5/2027
Mar-27 Begin Corridor Alternatives Development/Analysis
Apr-27
May-27 2
Jun-27
Jul-27
Aug-27 Corridor Alternatives Screening/Evaluation 8/6/2027
Sep-27 DRAFT Corridor Alternatives Analysis Report 9/3/2027
Oct-27 3
Nov-27
Dec-27 Draft Corridor Study (Public/Partner Review) 12/3/2027
Jan-28 Prelim Kick -Off TBD
Feb-28 Early Notification Memo (ENM) 2/4/2028
Mar-28 Final Corridor Study (Support/Video) 3/3/2028 Project Alternatives Development 3/3/2028
Apr-28 4 Preliminary Design Surveys 4/7/2028
May-28
Jun-28 Project Alternatives Screening - Level 1 6/2/2028
Jul-28
Aug-28 VE Study 8/4/2028
Sep-28
Oct-28 5
Nov-28 Project Alternatives Evaluation - Level 2 11/3/2028
Dec-28
Jan-29 Geometric Layout Review (OTS) 1/5/2029
Feb-29
Mar-29 Geometric Layout Review (LAY1040) 3/2/2029
Apr-29 6 3D - Visualization 4/6/2029
May-29 Geometric Layout Review (LAY1050) 5/4/2029
Jun-29
Jul-29 Muncipal Consent Request Package 7/6/2029
Aug-29
Sep-29 H Muncipal Consent Hearing 9/7/2029
Oct-29
Nov-29
Dec-29 Muncipal Consent Deadline 12/7/2029
Jan-30 Staff Approved Geometric Layout and Construction Limits 1/4/2030
Feb-30
Mar-30
Apr-30 Final EAW and Final Construction Limits 4/5/2030
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MnDOT Contract Number: 1062907
Exhibit A: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work
PHASE A - OUTLINE OF WORK TASKS:
1. Project Management
1.1 Project Management and Administration
1.2 Schedule Management
1.3 Project Coordination
1.4 Quality Control Management
1.5 Contractor Deliverables
1.6 MnDOT Deliverables
2. Public Involvement
2.1 Public Engagement Plan
2.2 Online Engagement Support
2.3 Online Survey
2.4 Public Open House
2.5 Corridor Tour
2.6 Stakeholder and Business Meetings
2.7 Focus Group Meetings
2.8 Targeted Social Media
2.9 Traditional Media
2.10 Project Mailers
2.11 Video Summary
2.12 Contractor Deliverables
2.13 MnDOT Deliverables
3. Surveys
3.1 Survey Coordination
3.2 Contractor Deliverables
3.3 MnDOT Deliverables
4. Existing and Future Conditions Assessment
4.1 Existing Data
4.2 Traffic/Turning Movement Counts
4.3 Future Conditions Analysis
4.4 Safety
4.5 Corridor Origin-Destination (OD) Assessment
4.6 Access Management
4.7 Corridor Function and Connecting Roadways
4.8 Contractor Deliverables
4.9 MnDOT Deliverables
5. Corridor Issues Identification
5.1 Corridor Alternative Development
5.2 Corridor Alternative Analysis
5.3 Traffic Operations Analysis/Simulation
5.4 Corridor Alternative Screening/Evaluation
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MnDOT Contract Number: 1062907
Exhibit A: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work
5.5 Contractor Deliverables
5.6 MnDOT Deliverables
6. Implementation Plan
6.1 Recommended Strategies, Sequencing and Prioritization
6.2 Contractor Deliverables
6.3 MnDOT Deliverables
7. Corridor Study Draft and Final Reports
7.1 Draft and Final Reports
7.2 Public Review and Comment
7.3 Contractor Deliverables
7.4 MnDOT Deliverables
Phase A - WORK TASKS:
All tasks will be prepared in accordance with MnDOT's Transportation Project Development Process
(TPDP) with reference to applicable MnDOT Manuals, Standards, and Policies.
1. Project Management
Project Management will include work necessary for communication and completion of the
project tasks on time and within budget. MnDOT will provide a MnDOT Project Manager (PM) to
help manage the project. The Contractor's PM or their primary duties will not be reassigned
without the written consent of MnDOT's PM. The Contractor's staff will have the training and
expertise necessary for the work tasks to which they are assigned.
1.1 Project Management and Administration
The Contractor will utilize MnDOT's ProjectWise project directory for project file sharing.
ALL project deliverables and meeting minutes will be filed by date as delivered in a
MnDOT ProjectWise folder provided by MnDOT's PM. The Contractor will submit monthly
invoices for payment by MnDOT. Invoices will show labor hours broken down by task and
activity code and will include overhead and fixed fee. It will be the responsibility of MnDOT's
PM to receive the work produced by the Contractor, schedule reviews for compliance with
Contract requirements, and to recommend payment for such work.
1.2 Schedule Management
Phase A:
The MN 15 Corridor Study is planned for completion in March 2028. The Contractor
will work with MnDOT's PM to describe and achieve milestones as identified in the
MnDOT process schedule and discussed at the Kick-off. Agreed upon target milestones
will be reviewed at PDT meetings and Contractor will assist MnDOT's PM with updates
to the project schedule.
1.3 Project Coordination
Contractor will maintain regular contact with MnDOT's PM to provide updates, coordinate
activities, resolve project issues, and schedule additional project meetings. The Contractor
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MnDOT Contract Number: 1062907
Exhibit A: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work
will be expected to work through project issues cooperatively with a project team, internal
specialty offices and external agencies as requested by MnDOT's PM. The Contractor will
provide agenda's two days in advance of meetings and meeting minutes within three days
after meeting. The Contractor will maintain comment/response logs with reviews.
1.3.1 Kick-Off Meeting
A kick-off meeting with MnDOT staff will be coordinated with the MnDOT PM
upon Contract execution.
1.3.2 Project Design Team (PDT) Meetings Key Personnel
The Contractor will collaborate with the MnDOT PM to schedule PDT meetings.
Project meetings are assumed to be held (biweekly by Microsoft Teams for 1-
hour duration) unless noted otherwise. A regular standing PDT meeting is to be
anticipated with the MnDOT PM and additional MnDOT staff as applicable,
MnDOT's Design Contractor Lead, the Contractor Key Personnel and additional
staff as applicable to the project phase. These meetings will assist with reviews
and concurrence with Contract requirements, will review action items and
target deliverable dates. The Contractor's Key Personnel for the team meetings
will include:
a) Contractor's PM
b) NEPA Environmental Lead
c) Traffic Lead
d) Predesign Lead
1.3.3 MnDOT's Geometric Design Support Unit (GDSU) Over the Shoulder Review
Conduct early and mid-point reviews of corridor alternatives with MnDOT GDSU
staff.
1.4 Contractor Deliverables
1.4.1 Project Kickoff Meeting.
1.4.2 Prepare agendas/materials, schedule and hold meetings, record minutes.
1.4.3 Maintain an action item list and target deliverables.
1.4.4 Prepare and submit monthly progress and status reports for Phase A.
1.4.5 File all project deliverables and minutes in MnDOT's ProjectWise folder.
1.4.6 Provide timely copies of critical correspondences and project issue data.
1.4.7 Submit electronic project files at the project completion.
1.5 MnDOT Deliverables:
1.5.1 Provide copies of project correspondences and project information.
1.5.2 Right of Way (ROW) work map base files.
1.5.3 Attend meetings, review and approve deliverables.
2. Public Involvement
The Contractor will prepare exhibits and conduct multiple outreach meetings with local
businesses, residents, and stakeholders to participate with MnDOT in developing informed
consent of the preferred alternative and executing the NEPA decision making process including
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MnDOT Contract Number: 1062907
Exhibit A: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work
public involvement and interagency coordination. Contractor will also identify and support
preparation for hearings and/or public legal notices required by NEPA or MN Statute. The
Contractor can offer added value ideas in this section to be considered post selection.
The Contractor will ensure that all web content, digital documents, and social media outputs
created or managed in support of the Corridor Study comply with Title II of the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.
2.1 Public Engagement Plan
The Contractor will develop a robust and inclusive comprehensive Public Engagement Plan
(PEP) that will serve as a guide for engaging the public, stakeholders, and project partners. A
draft of the PEP will be provided for review to MnDOT staff including the district's Public
Engagement Coordinator and the PM. The Contractor will consider MnDOT's public
engagement policy and identify stakeholder needs and demonstrate transparency in
decision making at significant milestones.
2.1.1 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Meetings
The corridor study will be guided by a TAC. The TAC will be comprised of representatives
from all partner jurisdictions. Estimate 8 meetings to coordinate with the TAC.
Contractor will coordinate and lead the meetings and prepare meeting agendas and
meeting summary notes.
2.1.2 Workshops
Include two project study planning workshops with participating agencies/jurisdictions
staff and elected officials, District staff, and MnDOT's Central Office staff (GDSU, Bike
and Ped, Corridor Planning, Major Project Leadership Team (MPLT), and MPLT-
Planning).
2.2 Online Engagement Support
The Contractor will use MnDOT's Let's Talk Transportation (LTT) tool for the project website
hosted by MnDOT. The Contractor will be responsible for creating, updating, and
maintaining the project website and associated online engagement tools. The Contractor
will ensure that all website content aligns with MnDOT standards and project
communication goals. All public engagement materials, reports and supporting materials
will be branded to show the MnDOT logo and meet MnDOT branding standards. The
Contractor will update the website frequently with relevant project information, including
progress updates, upcoming study events, project developments, concepts, summaries, and
other materials necessary to keep the public informed and engaged. The website must also
allow visitors to participate in any active corridor study surveys. All materials developed by
the Contractor for posting on the project website must be fully ADA compliant and must
accommodate individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). The Contractor will provide
all content to MnDOT's PM for review and approval prior to posting. At the conclusion of
the project, the Contractor will transfer all associated digital files of the material used on LTT
to MnDOT.
2.3 Online Survey
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MnDOT Contract Number: 1062907
Exhibit A: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work
The Contractor will prepare and conduct a project survey to gather input on corridor needs,
opportunities and barriers. The Contractor will use online participation tools, such as
MnDOT's LTT tools as well as other virtual ways to capture comments, feedback, and ideas.
All materials provided by the Contractor to MnDOT's PM for inclusion on the project
website must be ADA compliant and accommodate LEP individuals. The Contractor will
assume three survey opportunities are needed. The Contractor will provide analysis for all
survey data.
2.4 Public Open House
The Contractor will facilitate open houses or focus groups, at the beginning, midpoint, and
end of the corridor study. It is envisioned that these would include communities and/or
agencies along the corridor. At the mid-point of the study, prior to definitive alternatives,
public feedback and input should be analyzed with the Project Management Team (PMT) to
determine if any further engagement activities are necessary. Open houses and focus
groups will be hybrid or a mix of in-person or virtual that provide accommodation for ADA
and LEP individuals.
The Contractor will use online participation tools, such as MnDOT's LTT web site tools as
well as other virtual ways to capture comments, feedback and ideas. Results will be posted
on study website.
The Contractor will be responsible for developing all informational displays, handouts, and
presentations for each meeting to aid in facilitating educational conversations with the
public. Meeting summaries, list of attendees and comments received (both verbal and
written) will be recorded. This report must be made available to the PMT for review within
two weeks after the closing of each public event. Successful Responder will utilize news
releases, social media, and email blasts to promote public engagement opportunities.
2.5 Corridor Tour
As part of the kick-off early development, the Contractor will set up and organize an in-
person bus tour of the corridor. Those involved would at least be the TAC plus any
additional members of their organizations or stakeholders to familiarize everyone with the
corridor and discuss specific localized issues/ideas along the corridor.
2.6 Stakeholder and Business Meetings
The Contractor will prepare exhibits and materials to conduct 10 one-to-one meetings with
impacted property owners during project development to communicate project intent, take
feedback, and address questions.
2.7 Focus Group Meetings
The Contractor will prepare exhibits and materials to conduct 10 focus group meetings. The
focus groups will consist of freight, commercial or agriculture trucking, school bus and
transit, commuters and recreational travelers, neighborhood/private property owners,
pedestrian/bicycle, or business interest groups. Plan on focus groups to be held in-person.
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