July 17, 2026
City Improvement Project #26-02 proposes milling and overlaying 173rd Avenue and 175th Avenue between Armstrong Boulevard (CSAH 83) and Nowthen Boulevard (CSAH 5). A figure showing the scope of this project is attached. This project is included in the 2026 – 2035 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for overlay in 2026. Property owners will not be assessed for these improvements.
On July 14, 2026, the Ramsey City Council approved final plans and specifications and authorized city staff to advertise for bids.
If you would like to meet to discuss this project in detail, staff are available by phone or email, or can schedule an on-site appointment. Contact information is provided at the end of this letter.
Preliminary Project Schedule:
- August 17, 2026 Bids are received and publicly opened.
- August 25, 2026 Construction contract awarded to the lowest responsible bidder.
- September 2026 Anticipated start of construction – based on the contractor’s schedule.
- October 2026 Contractor substantially completes Phase 1 – completes mill and overlay except between Puma Street and Iguana Street. Replace Anoka County Ditch 51 culvert, perform soil corrections and place the first lift of new pavement between Puma Street and Iguana Street.
- Spring 2027 Contractor substantially completes Phase 2 – completes final lift of new pavement between Puma Street and Iguana Street, final restoration in place.
A more detailed schedule will be provided after a contract is awarded and a pre-construction meeting is held with the contractor.
Proposed Improvements:
This project proposes milling and overlaying 173rd Avenue and 175th Avenue between Armstrong Boulevard and Nowthen Boulevard. The overlay will replace the pavement to the same dimensions, with pavement markings replaced in kind. These are Municipal State Aid streets, and are built to a 10-ton pavement strength design. This project totals 3.06 miles in length.
173rd Avenue between Puma Street and Iguana Street (approximately 0.48 miles in length) crosses the wetland and Anoka County Ditch 51. In the low areas, the outside wheel paths have broken up and been filled with additional bituminous. City staff has lowered this road to a 7-ton capacity due to the pavement condition. The geotechnical evaluation found poor soils beneath the existing pavement along this stretch of road. To address this, the pavement section will be enhanced, including the use of geogrid and additional pavement structure. At the same time, the county ditch culvert will be replaced. Due to the nature of the work, 173rd Avenue will be closed to traffic between Puma Street and Iguana Street during this phase of construction. A marked detour route will be provided. Access to all properties will be maintained during construction.
Project Funding:
The estimated project costs for the improvements are $1,516,000. The improvements are proposed to be funded using a combination of Municipal State Aid Funds and Storm Water Utility Funds. This estimate is based on final plans and anticipated 2026 construction costs. Final project costs may change depending upon bid prices and actual construction quantities.
More details about this project will be available on this webpage as it progresses. The webpage will be updated as new information becomes available, so please check back often.
Please feel free to contact Joe Feriancek at jferiancek@cityoframseymn.gov or 763-433-9893 with any questions or input regarding this project. If the project moves forward to construction, you will receive another letter containing more information, including an updated schedule, contact information for construction and a reminder to mark underground irrigation lines and components with flags, if applicable.