Project Information

Created June 23, 2023

On June 13, 2023, the Ramsey City Council rejected bids for Maintenance Project #23-16, which proposed to hire a contractor to patch deep potholes by hand and to spray patch shallower potholes. The City Council then directed Staff to break the work proposed under this single project into two separate projects with one project proposing to complete all deep pothole patching as identified for approximately 19 miles of City streets, and the other project proposing to spray patch shallow potholes as identified for approximately 20 miles of City streets. 

Staff immediately advertised bids for these two new projects, which are designated as Maintenance Project #23-21, 2023 Deep Pothole Patching Contracted Services, and Maintenance Project #23-22, 2023 Spray Patching Contracted Services. Advertisements for bids were published in the Anoka County Union Herald for both projects on June 17, and June 23.

Bids for both projects are scheduled to be opened on July 7 and to be presented to the City Council on July 11, for consideration of awarding construction contracts.  If approved, work is anticipated to begin on or near July 24.

Click here to view the project plan sheet identifying streets proposed to receive deep pothole patching with this project.

Additional Information

Dozens of miles of City streets are plagued with deep potholes in excess of 2-inches in depth, resulting in unsafe conditions for drivers and pedestrians. The number of streets with these deep potholes continues to grow each year.  The Public Works department has been struggling to repair potholes across the City in recent years, and has been forced to neglect other core duties, such as street sweeping, while working to repair potholes in as timely a manner as possible.  In 2023, the number of streets with deep potholes have increased such that Public Works staff are unable to repair most of the potholes in a timely manner, resulting in a need to contract for pothole repair services.  

During the 2023 budget setting process, the City Council authorized bonding approximately $12M for additional Pavement Management Program (PMP) projects (pavement overlays and street reconstructions) over the next 10 years. The Council also authorized budgeting an additional $750,000 to the streets maintenance fund for temporary spray patching improvements on an estimated 19 miles of City streets not identified as PMP projects in the 2022 - 2031 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), yet have PASER ratings of 4 or less meaning they have significant pavement damage.   

City staff therefore developed plans this Spring to hire contractors to perform temporary pavement repairs in 2023 on some of the worst City streets.  While developing this plan it was observed that several different types of pavement repairs would be needed to most cost-effectively maintain pavement on streets awaiting overlay and reconstruction improvements. The three types of pavement repairs recommended by Staff for 2023 contracted services included spray patching shallow potholes less than or equal to 2-inches in depth, patching deep potholes in excess of 2-inches, and milling and overlaying critical areas exhibiting extensive pavement damage.  Staff therefore developed the following three projects this Spring.

• Maintenance Project #23-14, 2023 Critical Mill and Overlay Improvements 
• Maintenance Project #23-15, 2023 Priority Pothole Patching Contracted Services
• Maintenance Project #23-16, 2023 Pavement Patching Contracted Services

Detailed information on each of these projects can be found on their respective project webpages.  Please contact City Engineer/Public Works Director Bruce Westby by email or by phone at 763-433-9825 with any questions.