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Failures of the adjusting rings of manholes cost Minnesota cities about $7 million a year in damages in manholes, sewers, and paved surfaces. This study looks at the experience of Minnesota cities and other past research in evaluating the many available methods to repair rings and in recommending construction and repair methods that minimize the risk of damage. Poor construction of manholes and damage from frost heaving cause most failures. When repairs are necessary, survey results suggest three methods with the best cost/value ratios: The Cretex Internal Chimney Seal (Trademark), Flex-Seal Utility Sealant (Trademark), and Infi-Shield (Trademark) seal. One method still under evaluation, rings made of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), shows some initial indication of success. While lower in initial cost, other methods are less lasting, resulting in a poor cost/value ratio. Methods also must accommodate the tensile stresses and elongation strains associated with frost heaving through ice lenses. Materials must be elastic enough at sub-freezing temperatures to stretch without breaking when frost heaving opens a joint.

Joining forces in a partnership relationship is a way for different entities to come together and, building on their respective strengths and abilities, realize together what they could never have realized separately. Although partnership relationships are typically a profitable means for local governments to explore in implementing projects, they become even more compelling when resources are limited and multiple needs compete for scarce available dollars. This paper explores the use of partnerships in Minnesota to advance needed public works projects. It discusses some of the nuances of what partnerships can mean to local units of government, from the ways in which bartering of services, equipment, and staff expertise allows local units of government to make efficient resource decisions to how major public works projects can be implemented through the concerted efforts of interested partners. Through the use of focus group discussions, selected case studies, and the expertise of the Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) overseeing this effort, a best practices guide to Minnesota city and county partnering efforts results.

This project is an effort to identify the most relevant, useful, and applicable research on local transportation finance issues for local government practitioners in Minnesota.

Existing needs were identified when working with public utilities in rights-of-way (ROW). The needs include working in congested corridors, what to do with abandoned infrastructure, not receiving accurate mapping data from utility providers, not receiving requested information, how to address 5G and other new infrastructure, and not having construction requirements or expectations of utility service providers. Minnesota statutes and administrative rules are discussed in terms of agency and utility owner responsibilities in relation to utilities within public ROW. State statutes and rules provide guidance for cities and counties to implement local ordinances. This project synthesizes existing best management practices used by cities and counties to manage utilities within public ROW. Best management practices were identified through an online survey and discussions with members of the Technical Advisory Panel (TAP). Additional conversations or interviews were conducted with select survey respondents who identified best practices or provided informative documents from their agencies.

This guidebook is based on the findings of Minnesota Local Road Research Board research report 2019RIC20, Managing Utility Congestion within Rights-of-Way, authored by Bryan Nemeth, Gina Aulwes, and Jammi Ladwig.

This Implementation Summary pertains to Report 2019RIC20, “Managing Utility Congestion within the ROW,” published December 2019.

Appendices for Report 2019RIC20, Managing Utility Congestion Within Rights-of-Way.

There is strong evidence to support incorporating arts, culture, and creative placemaking into transportation practices to improve engagement outcomes, mitigate impacts to communities, and build trust between communities and institutions. However, general confusion around the role arts and culture can and should play in transportation planning, plus limited experience with this type of approach, have constrained integration and, in some cases, also hindered implementation success. The case studies in this report overwhelmingly demonstrate the value of incorporating arts and culture practices through increases in participation and public trust, especially among underrepresented groups. Yet the lack of evaluations of the successful programs or projects, documentation of processes, and comprehension of the relevant funding options and collaborative partnership opportunities stalls replication. Furthermore, the lack of clear policy goals and staff training and support means these successful interventions are not sustainable within DOT culture and practice. Shifting the focus away from outdated arguments about the role of art, culture, and creative placemaking in transportation planning and toward a focus on what is relevant to community identity and intentional engagement will enable DOTs to capitalize on a cost-saving and trust-building suite of creative placemaking engagement tools. It will also begin to help make up for past decisions that have harmed unrepresented communities

This Research Summay accompanies Report 2024-12, "Utilizing Arts and Culture to Mitigate the Negative Impacts of Transportation Infrastructure on Communities," published in June 2024.