AGENDA DATE: 9/15/2021
TITLE:
Title
2021 Transportation Revenue Sharing Project Resolutions
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Resolutions to support Revenue Sharing grant requests
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Kamptner, Herrick, Filardo, Rapp, McDermott
PRESENTER (S): Kevin McDermott
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: In July 2021, the Board reviewed and approved the updated list of Albemarle County Transportation Priorities. That review and approval included two projects recommended for funding through Revenue Sharing grant applications:
#8 - Eastern Avenue South: US 250 across Lickinghole Creek to Cory Farms Road
#10 - Avon Street Extended Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements - Mill Creek Drive to Peregory Lane
Staff has continued to develop conceptual cost estimates and designs for these projects with the assistance of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and a consultant. Pre-applications were submitted for both projects and it was determined that they were eligible for full submission.
Successful Revenue Sharing projects are typically funded by VDOT at 50%, with the remaining 50% being local match; however, there is a $10 million per project limit, as well as a $10 million limit per locality per two-year funding cycle. The local match for both projects would come from the CIP (Transportation Leveraging Fund).
The deadline for the Revenue Sharing grant applications is October 1. A Board Resolution supporting each of these projects must be submitted before then.
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. Though cost estimates for these projects are still being finalized, initial cost estimates are provided below.
• Eastern Avenue South Connector - This project would extend Crozet’s Eastern Avenue from the current stub-out at Westhall Drive south to Cory Farm Road, which later intersects with US 250/Rockfish Gap Turnpike. The project would bridge Lickinghole Creek and include bicycle and pedestrian facilities on both sides of the new roadway. The total cost of the project is estimated at approximately $22.1 million. Although VDOT typically funds 50% of project costs for Revenue Sharing projects, each project is limited to $10 million from VDOT. Consequently, the cost to Albemarle County for this project would be at least $12.1 million ($10 million as the local match + $2.1 million to reach the total project cost) if the current cost estimate remains accurate.
• Avon Street Extended Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements - This project proposes to construct a shared-use path adjacent to the western side of Avon Street Extended from Mill Creek Drive to Peregory Lane. It would also include a pedestrian crossing of Avon Street near Swan Lake Drive to connect to the previously-funded sidewalk on the east side of Avon Street. The total cost of the project is estimated at approximately $2.8 million. VDOT typically funds 50% of project costs for Revenue Sharing projects, making the local share approximately $1.4 million.
The current cost estimates of these two projects would exceed the Revenue Sharing limit of $10 million in a two-year cycle. The Eastern Avenue project has been recognized as the higher priority project for funding at this time. Staff continues to work to find ways to fund both projects through this round of Revenue Sharing. However, if the Avon Street project cannot be funded through Revenue Sharing at this time, staff would work to identify other funding sources to continue to advance the project.
BUDGET IMPACT: The combined budgetary impact of both recommended projects is approximately $13.5 million, which would be required over the next five to seven fiscal years. Because VDOT would administer the Eastern Avenue project, additional cost related to staff time for that project would be minimal. However, because County staff would administer the Avon Street Extended project, staff time requirements for that project would be more significant.
Staff recommends using County CIP funds to meet the local share of these costs. Though part of the local share is already available in the Transportation Leveraging Fund, additional funding will be required in a future CIP in order to complete both projects. Furthermore, the per project and per locality funding limits imposed on this round of Revenue Sharing require staff to further investigate strategies to ensure both projects can be completed as soon as possible. At this time, staff requests resolutions for both projects, with the understanding that decisions to accept either/both grants would be made following the Spring 2022 CIP update.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board endorse the recommended grant applications and adopt the attached Resolutions (Attachments A and B) for the Revenue Sharing grant applications.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Eastern Avenue South Revenue Sharing Grant Resolution
B - Avon Street Extended Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements Revenue Sharing Grant Resolution