AGENDA DATE: 9/4/2019
TITLE:
Title
Transportation Funding/Grant Application Review
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Resolutions for Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside and Revenue Sharing Grant Requests
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, McCulley, Benish, McDermott
PRESENTER (S): Kevin McDermott
LEGAL REVIEW: Not Required
REVIEWED BY: Jeffery B Richardson
BACKGROUND: In July of 2019 the Board reviewed and approved the updated list of Albemarle County Transportation Priorities for 2019. Included in that review and approval were a number of projects recommended for funding through Revenue Sharing and Transportation Alternatives Programs grant applications, including:
Revenue Sharing Applications
#5 - Berkmar to Lewis and Clark Connector
#26 - Old Lynchburg Road/Moore’s Creek Greenway Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements
#8 - Eastern Avenue South Connector
Transportation Alternative Application
#12 - Tabor/High Street Sidewalks
Staff has continued to work on these projects with VDOT and consultant assistance to develop conceptual cost estimates and designs. Pre-applications were submitted for all projects and they were all screened in making them eligible for full submission.
The Tabor/High Street Sidewalks project and the Old Lynchburg Road/Moore’s Creek Greenway Projects were both included in the proposal for the Quality of Life Bicycle and Pedestrian Program which has sufficient funding identified in the 2021 CIP to cover the local match on the grants. The local match for the Berkmar to Lewis and Clark Connector and the Eastern Avenue South projects would come from the Transportation Leveraging Budget. With the funding identified in that program through 2020 an additional $2 million would need to be set aside for that program annually from FY21 - FY24 unless the Board determines another source for funding that local match. The deadline for the Revenue Sharing and Transportation Alternatives grant applications is October 1. A Board Resolution supporting each of these projects is required.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Infrastructure Investment: Prioritize, plan, and invest in critical infrastructure that responds to past and future changes and improves the capacity to serve community needs
DISCUSSION: Staff is currently preparing the applications for the referenced projects. Cost estimates for these projects are still being finalized, however initial cost estimates are provided in the project descriptions below.
• Berkmar to Lewis and Clark Connector - This project proposes to extend Berkmar Dr from its current stub-out just north of Timberwood Dr to Airport Road and construct a roundabout at this new intersection where Innovation Drive (Lewis and Clark Dr) currently meets Airport Road. Bicycle and Pedestrian facilities would be included. The cost of the project is estimated at $10.2 million. The County has $2.2 million in the VDOT Secondary Six-Year Plan already programmed to this project. Under the Revenue Sharing grant the local contribution would be 50% of the remaining approximately $8 million cost, or approximately $4 million. This project, along with the new Lewis and Clark Drive extension being constructed on the UVA Foundation Research Park will complete the parallel road on the west side of US 29 as envisioned in the Places 29 Master Plan and also serve to complete an integral segment of the Northtown Trail.
• Old Lynchburg Road/Moore’s Creek Greenway Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements - This project proposes to construct bicycle and pedestrian improvements along Old Lynchburg Road and construct a new paved, shared-use path greenway between Old Lynchburg Road and Sunset Ave adjacent to Moore’s Creek. The total cost of the project is estimated at approximately $1.2 million making the County’s share of 50% under the Revenue Sharing program around $600,000. The project lies on the City/County line and involves development on City-owned property in the County. The improvements were a high priority recommendation from the Jefferson Area Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. County staff are in discussions with the City on potential partnerships related to funding, project development, and maintenance.
• Eastern Avenue South Connector - This project would extend Eastern Ave in Crozet from the current stub-out near Westhall south to connect to Cory Farm Road and US 250. The project would bridge Linckinghole Creek and include bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The total cost of the project is estimated at approximately $8.8 million making the County’s share of 50% $4.4 million.
• Tabor/High Street Sidewalks - This project proposes to construct sidewalk along one side of Tabor Street to connect to High Street and then to Hilltop where there is an existing pedestrian path. The project will include ADA accessible curb ramps at the intersections and a pedestrian crossing. This is proposed to be submitted as a Transportation Alternatives project. The total cost of the project is estimated at $1.1 million and although a 20% match is required, staff is recommending a higher match percentage to improve the projects score. The recommendation is to provide between $500,000 and $600,000 to make this project a competitive application.
As stated earlier, the full amount necessary for the Berkmar to Lewis and Clark Connector and the Eastern Avenue South is not available in the current Transportation Leveraging Fund Budget. The County is currently working to develop the update to the CIP. Submission of these applications does not obligate the County to fund the projects. A decision on funding is not necessary until project agreements are signed which would not occur until Fall of 2020 at the earliest. By that time it is expected that the CIP budget will be worked out and a clear picture of funding would be available.
BUDGET IMPACT: Staff recommends using County CIP funds to leverage against State funds to fully fund the identified transportation projects to completion. A portion of the funding requested has been approved through the previous CIP fully funding the required local match for some of the projects although not all. Staff is recommending moving forward with the Grant applications now and making a final decision on acceptance of the grants once the update to the CIP is complete in the Spring of 2020. The total impact to the budget for the local share on all of the recommended projects is approximately $10.5 million which will be required over approximately the next five Fiscal Years. Additional cost related to staff time will also impact the County Budget however it is expected that the two largest projects will be administered by VDOT and therefore will not require large amounts of staff time.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board endorse the recommended grant applications and adopt the attached Resolutions A - D for the Revenue Sharing and Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Grant applications.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Berkmar Drive to Lewis and Clark Connector Revenue Sharing Grant Resolution
B - Old Lynchburg Road Moore’s Creek Greenway Revenue Sharing Grant Resolution
C - Eastern Avenue South Connector Revenue Sharing Grant Resolution
D - Tabor/High Street Sidewalks Transportation Alternatives Grant Resolution