Title
Resolution Authorizing Amended Agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation for the Downtown Greenway Phase II (Project EL-5101 DJ)
Body
Department: Transportation
Council District: 1 & 2
Public Hearing: N/A
Advertising Date/By: N/A
Contact 1 and Phone: Adam Fischer 373-2861
Contact 2 and Phone: Tyler Meyer 373-2254
PURPOSE:
A resolution needs to be approved to authorize execution of a municipal agreement providing for the reimbursement of eligible project costs up to $4,000,000 in grant funds for the Downtown Greenway Phase 2.
BACKGROUND:
The Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Advisory Committee, in cooperation with NCDOT, approved the use of federal STP-DA funding to support construction costs for project EL-5101 DJ, Downtown Greenway Phase 2, up to $3,600,000 on September 24, 2014. The MPO also submitted the project for consideration for NCDOT construction funding under the Prioritization 3.0 process. The project scored very well and as a result NCDOT agreed to reimburse the City for construction costs up to an additional $400,000 using federal TAP funds under the FY 2016 - 2025 State Transportation Improvement Program adopted in July 2015. The $4,000,000 in federal funding requires at minimum a 20% local match for an additional $1,000,000. Additional costs above that will need to be covered by local sources.
Project EL-5101 DJ will construct Phase 2 of the Downtown Greenway along (a) the east side of Murrow Boulevard from Lee Street to Fisher Avenue; and (b) along the north side of Fisher Avenue from Murrow Boulevard to Eugene Street. Murrow Boulevard will be reduced from six lanes divided to four lanes divided. Fisher Avenue will be reduced from three lanes to two lanes (plus turn lanes). The project will also reconstruct the Murrow Boulevard - Gate City Boulevard intersection to accommodate the greenway and improve traffic operations.
The Municipal Agreement defines the cost and construction responsibilities of the City and the NCDOT, including the terms to which the City must comply in order to receive reimbursements for project costs. This agreement provides for NCDOT to reimburse the City for eligible project costs up to $4,000,000 in federal STP-DA and TAP funds with a minimum 20% local match of $1,000,000. Construction is expected to begin in early 2017.
BUDGET IMPACT:
The Amended Agreement increases federal STP-DA and TAP Funds in account # 401-4542-01 as follows:
$4,000,000 State Grant (80%)
$1,000,000 Local Matching Funds (20%)
$5,000,000
A budget adjustment is required to move funds to the appropriate transfer account.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
The Department of Transportation recommends and requests that City Council approve the attached resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute the amended agreement and approve the associated budget adjustment.
COMMITTEE ACTION: This item was referred to Council by the Infrastructure Committee.