AGENDA DATE: 5/19/2021
TITLE:
Title
Transportation Project Update and Grant Recommendations
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Update on all First Tier projects from the 2019 Albemarle County Transportation Priorities List and recommendations for upcoming Revenue Sharing and Smart Scale Grant applications
ITEM TYPE: Regular Information Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Filardo, Rapp, McDermott
PRESENTER (S): Kevin McDermott
LEGAL REVIEW: Not Required
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: The Albemarle County Transportation Priorities Project Updates & Future Grant Options report found in Attachment A provides a complete update of all priority projects found in the 2019 Albemarle County Transportation Priorities list, which is included in Attachment B. The Board approved the 2019 report on July 3, 2019, which lists all capital transportation projects recommended through the various County planning processes. These projects have been ranked through a methodology intended to identify the most important projects. County staff previously proposed updating the Albemarle County Transportation Priorities once every two years. This would have been set to occur in 2021. However, because of limits in the CDD work plan and the proposal to develop an Albemarle County Multi-modal Transportation Plan, this update was postponed to roll into that planning process.
This report provides an update on the work to advance each of the projects that fall within the First Tier (projects 1-20) of the 2019 Priorities List, as well as the Second and Third Tier projects that have been advanced in some manner. The purpose of providing this report is to identify and get Board feedback on the highest priority projects that could become the subject of the next two grant cycles which includes the Revenue Sharing and Transportation Alternatives Grants, due in Fall of 2021 and the Smart Scale Grants, due in Summer 2022.
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: Over the past two years, twelve of the projects from the 2019 Albemarle County Transportation Priorities List have received funding and are moving towards construction. As discussed in the report in Attachment A, for the upcoming round of Revenue Sharing applications, staff is proposing to submit the Eastern Avenue South project as the top priority project for 2021. There is a $10 million limit for State funding per locality each application period. If the final cost of the Eastern Ave project leaves sufficient funds, then staff is recommends also submitting an application for the Avon Street Shared-use Path.
To appropriately plan for the potential applications for the 2022 Smart Scale Grant Round and allow the Board and community stakeholders an opportunity to provide feedback on those projects, staff would like the Board to begin considering potential projects. At this time, staff have considered seven preliminary projects for a 2022 application cycle. The County can submit up to four applications and the Charlottesville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission have agreed to assist by submitting additional applications on behalf of the County. The following projects are recommended as potential Smart Scale 2022 Grants:
1. District Avenue Roundabout
4. Hillsdale Drive Extension and Realignment Phase 1: Mall Drive to Rio Road
16. US 250 West/US 29 Bypass Interchange
17. Belvedere Boulevard/Rio Road Intersection Improvement
19. 5th Street Extended Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements
21. US 250 West Intersection Improvements in Crozet
N/A. Rivanna River Bike and Pedestrian Bridge: South Pantops to Woolen Mills
Staff is careful not to obligate any funds for projects that are not known to be available. Because project planning is often required to occur many years in advance of the need for funding, however, staff attempts to make reasonable estimates on potential funding that could be available at points out in the future. The recommendations for projects that will require funding over the next five years described in this report under the Funded Projects Updates and the Recommended Projects for Upcoming Grants; Revenue Sharing 2021 are consistent with reasonable estimates.
BUDGET IMPACT: Coordination with the Finance and Budget Department has occurred and the necessary local funding to implement the projects that are currently moving forward and those recommended for funding in the 2021 Revenue Sharing cycle are consistent with the proposed Transportation Leveraging Funds expected in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the Fall of 2021. Projects recommended for future grants will likely require County CIP funds to initiate design or provide required or optional local matches to receive State funding. However, staff is not requesting a decision from the Board on that funding today. When the specific need for funding is determined, staff will return to the Board to affirm support.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
This report and presentation is being provided for the Board as an update on the Transportation Priorities and to give the Board a chance to weigh-in on the potential projects for upcoming Revenue Sharing and Smart Scale Grant Cycles. Staff recommendations regarding those grant cycles are included in the Discussion above and the attached report.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Albemarle County Transportation Priorities Project Update & Future Grant Options
B - Albemarle County Transportation Priorities 2019 Update