Ramsey Greenlights Major Street Reconstruction in Dickensons Mississippi Estates

Ramsey Greenlights Major Street Reconstruction in Dickensons Mississippi Estates

RAMSEY, MN – The Ramsey City Council has given the final nod to a significant street reconstruction project in the Dickensons Mississippi Estates neighborhood, marking a crucial step towards upgrading infrastructure and enhancing quality of life for residents. The unanimous 5-0 vote took place at their meeting on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, following a period of extensive planning and engineering.

The project, officially designated as 25-04 Dickensons Mississippi Estates Street Reconstruction, will see a complete overhaul of the existing roadways and underground utilities. Residents can anticipate a noticeable improvement in their driving experience, along with critical updates to water and storm sewer systems.

"This reconstruction will not only improve the driving experience for our residents but also enhance the overall safety and longevity of these vital roadways," stated Joe Feriancek, Assistant City Engineer for the City of Ramsey. Feriancek has been a key figure in the project's design and will oversee its implementation.

Comprehensive Infrastructure Overhaul

The scope of work is extensive, addressing multiple facets of the neighborhood's infrastructure:

• Watermain and Service Lines: The existing watermain and service lines, including connections up to the curb stops and fire hydrants, will be fully replaced. Temporary water access will be provided to homes throughout the construction period to minimize disruption.
• Curb and Gutter: All concrete curb and gutters will be removed and replaced with new, similar surmountable concrete versions, ensuring proper drainage and sidewalk demarcation.
• Pavement: While the general dimensions of the roads will remain consistent, new bituminous pavement will be laid. Notably, Tungsten Street, which bears commercial truck traffic, will be engineered to a robust 10-ton pavement strength design to withstand heavy loads.
• Storm Sewer System: Existing storm sewer inlet locations will be maintained, but the structures and some piping will be replaced. A significant addition is a hydrodynamic separator structure to be installed in the storm sewer outfall line, specifically designed to remove contaminants from stormwater runoff before it enters the Mississippi River, showcasing the city's commitment to environmental stewardship.
• Driveway Aprons: Driveway aprons will be reconstructed approximately eight feet back from the curb to seamlessly connect with the new curb and gutter, utilizing existing materials where feasible.
• Restoration: Impacted boulevard areas will be carefully restored with a minimum of four inches of topsoil and hydroseed, utilizing a residential turf seed mix to blend with the neighborhood's aesthetics.
• Access Management: The city emphasized that access to properties will be maintained as practically as possible during construction. City staff will proactively communicate with property owners about any anticipated access interruptions, particularly during driveway apron reconstruction. Emergency services will always have unimpeded access.
• Private Systems: Residents with private lawn irrigation systems or underground invisible fences are advised that these may be impacted. Property owners are responsible for relocating or repairing these systems within the public right-of-way and are requested to mark sprinkler heads with flags or stakes to assist the contractor in preventing or minimizing damage.

Project Timeline

The City of Ramsey has laid out a clear schedule for the Dickensons Mississippi Estates Street Reconstruction:

• Bid Opening: Bids for the project were received and publicly opened on May 1, 2025.
• Contract Award: The Ramsey City Council was slated to award the construction contract to the lowest responsible bidder on May 13, 2025.
• Construction Commencement: Construction is anticipated to begin in early summer 2025, with work expected between June and July, subject to the selected contractor's specific schedule.
• Substantial Completion: The contractor is contractually obligated to achieve substantial completion by September 26, 2025. This milestone signifies that the new watermain will be in service and the new bituminous pavement will be in place.
• Final Completion: Final restoration, including the complete reestablishment of boulevards, must be finalized by October 31, 2025.

For general inquiries regarding the project, residents are encouraged to contact Stacie Damjanovich, Administrative Assistant, at 763-433-9895, or Joe Feriancek, Assistant City Engineer, at 763-433-9893.