AGENDA DATE: 6/17/2020
TITLE:
Title
Albemarle County 2020 Smart Scale Applications
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Resolution in Support of the Smart Scale Project Applications in Albemarle County
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Kamptner, Filardo, Rapp, McDermott
PRESENTER (S): Kevin McDermott
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: The Smart Scale grant program is the primary method for funding large-scale transportation projects in the State. The Program provides State and Federal funds for the design/engineering, right-of-way, and construction of transportation projects and runs on a biennial cycle. On its April 1, 2020 consent agenda, the Board previously reviewed this list of proposed projects as part of the Albemarle County Transportation Priorities Update Report. A requirement of the Smart Scale application is a Resolution of Support for the applications from the local governing body. This Resolution is due with the application submittal on August 3, 2020.
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: Albemarle County has a four-application limit, but the Thomas Jefferson Planning Commission and the Charlottesville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization are each allowed to submit four applications as well. Because no other jurisdictions in the planning district requested projects on their behalf, there will be eleven applications for projects within Albemarle County, including the one for the primary elements that make up the Hydraulic Road improvement package.
The proposed Smart Scale applications for the FY 2019 Cycle, as further detailed in Attachment B, are:
Submitted by Albemarle County:
1. Old Lynchburg Road/5th Street Extended/County Office Building Intersection Improvements
2. US 250 Pantops Corridor Improvements - Route 20 to Hansen Road
3. Route 20/Route 53 Intersection Improvements
4. Rio Road/Belvedere Boulevard Intersection Improvements
Submitted by the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission:
5. Route 29 Shared Use Path - Carrsbrook Drive to Riverside Center
6. 5th Street Bicycle and Pedestrian Hub and Trails
7. I-64 Exit 107 Park and Ride Lot
8. Frays Mill Road/US 29 Intersection Improvement
Submitted by the Charlottesville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning District Commission:
9. US 29/Hydraulic Road Intersection Improvement Package
10. Fontaine Avenue/US 29 Bypass Interchange Improvement
11. Route 20 Shared Use Path
Additionally, during budget discussions before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of Supervisors had expressed interest in contributing local funds through the Transportation Leveraging Program CIP Line Item in order to buy down the project cost and improve the scoring of those projects. The Board expressed continued support for these contributions at its May 11 budget meeting. After review of the projects and discussions with VDOT partners, staff recommends the following contributions of local funds towards select projects. These amounts are suggested based on project priority, project cost estimate, and assumptions of potential scores through the Smart Scale program. Smart Scale applications will include a notation that the County’s CIP is not finalized at this time and will be considered in the fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please see additional information on project funding under Budget Impact below.
Suggested Local Fund Contributions:
• Old Lynchburg Road/5th Street Extended/County Office Building Intersection Improvements - $2 million
• US 250 Pantops Corridor Improvements - Route 20 to Hansen Road - $2 million
• Route 20/Route 53 Intersection Improvements - $1 million
• Rio Road/Belvedere Boulevard Intersection Improvements - $1 million
BUDGET IMPACT: These applications are for State funding to implement these projects. No County match is required with the applications. However, the Board may decide to approve the addition of local funds from the Transportation Leveraging Program CIP Line Item as described. If those projects are then selected for funding, the County will be responsible for providing those local funds in order to receive the State funds. Funding schedules will be developed following project selection. Local funds will not be necessary until FY23 or beyond. VDOT has expressed willingness to work with the County to develop a mutually agreed upon funding schedule within the Six-Year Plan timeframe. If approved, VDOT will administer these projects and maintain these facilities. Therefore, no County funds are necessary to support future maintenance or operations of the projects.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors approve the Resolution in Support of the Smart Scale Applications in Albemarle County (Attachment A).
Staff further recommends that the Board of Supervisors approve the inclusion of the recommended local funding contributions as outlined above in the Smart Scale applications.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Resolution of Support
Attachment B: Project Summaries