Title
Resolution Authorizing Amended Municipal Agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation for Market - College - Guilford College Intersection Improvements: Project U-5326
Body
Department: Transportation
Council District: 4 & 5
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 an amended Municipal Agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) for project U-5326: Market - College - Guilford College Intersection Improvements.
BACKGROUND:
Project U-5326 will mitigate traffic congestion, improve traffic safety, and improve pedestrian mobility, accessibility, and safety. The project includes traffic operational improvements and additional turn lanes including doubling the number of left turn lanes on all approaches. The project also includes sidewalks throughout the intersection and its approaches, extending 700 feet west and 900 feet east of the intersection on West Market Street; 700 feet south of the intersection on Guilford College Road, and 2,200 feet north of the intersection on College Road. These sidewalks will connect to other pedestrian improvements, specifically recently constructed sidewalks on either side on West Market and Guilford College, and pending sidewalk construction on College Road.
Project U-5236 is a City sponsored partnership project with the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and NCDOT. The City designed the project with bond funds and is purchasing the right-of-way with STP-DA funds directed to the project by the MPO. The MPO 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 under the FY 2016 - 2025 State Transportation Improvement Program adopted in July 2015. However the Transportation Improvement Program adopted in July 2015 did not include sufficient funding to cover project costs. NCDOT has since agreed to cover actual construction costs, and has taken action to increase funding for the project in the Transportation Improvement Program based on current construction cost estimates.
The agreement specifies reimbursement amounts and the terms on which the City is required to follow in order to secure reimbursement for project costs. Per the agreement, the construction phase is to be complete within 3 years from the date of NCDOT’s authorization of construction funds. Construction is currently expected to begin in late 2016.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Funding for this project will be established in 401-4547-01. NCDOT will reimburse construction costs up to $8,200,000. No additional local funds are required for this project.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
The Department of Transportation recommends and requests that City Council approve the attached resolution authorizing the amended municipal agreement for Project U-5326: Market - College - Guilford College Intersection Improvements.
COMMITTEE ACTION: This item was referred to Council by the Infrastructure Committee.