Title
Ordinance in the Amount of $1,065,100 Amending the Street and Sidewalk Capital Project Fund Budget for Project U-5532 A: Aycock Street & Walker Avenue Pedestrian Improvement Project
Body
Department: Transportation
Council District: 4
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:
Staff requests adoption of budget ordinance associated with amended Municipal Agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation for Aycock Street Corridor & Walker Avenue Intersection Improvements Project by the City of Greensboro. The amended Municipal Agreement was approved by City Council on September 15, 2015.
BACKGROUND:
Project U-5532 A originally involved intersection improvements within the City of Greensboro as follows: 1) reconstruction of wheelchair ramps; 2) removal of one northbound travel lane on Aycock Street north from the intersection; 3) signage; 4) pavement markings; and 5) signal modifications. The project scope has been expanded to include installation of raised median and reconstruction of sidewalk on the east side of Aycock Street from south of Walker Avenue to north of Spring Garden Street, lighting, hand rails and landscaping to channelize pedestrians to safe crossing locations. This intersection has been identified as the most dangerous intersection for pedestrians in the City of Greensboro based on a composite crash frequency and severity score. This section of Aycock Street was the site of a recent FHWA pedestrian safety audit and workshop from which the additional project scope was developed. UNC-G has previously requested improvements at this location and is on record as strongly supporting these intersection improvements.
The original project as well as the amended scope and increased funding amount was made possible by the action of the MPO Transportation Advisory Committee, working in cooperation with the NCDOT to establish Federal Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) funds to the City for this purpose. This amended agreement revises the scope and adds additional funding for this project. Construction is targeted to begin in Summer 2016. The City will be reimbursed 80% for project expenses from TAP funds and will be required to provide a 20% local match.
City Council approved the amended Municipal Agreement for this project on September 15, 2015. Due to a clerical error the required budget ordinance was not included as part of that agenda.
BUDGET IMPACT:
The project based on the original scope was to be funded as follows:
$138,400 Federal Grant (80%)
$34,600 Local Bond Funds (20%)
$173,000
The revised municipal agreement and associated budget ordinance will increase funding as follows:
$852,080 Federal Grant (80%)
$213,020 Local Bond Funds (20%)
1,065,100
A budget adjustment is required to move local bond funds to the appropriate account.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
The Department of Transportation recommends and requests that City Council approve the attached budget ordinance for the amended municipal agreement for the Aycock Street Corridor & Walker Avenue Intersection Improvements Project and approve the associated budget adjustment.