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Consideration of Transportation Projects for Regional Flexible Funding
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to provide the Town Council with information about federal funding allocated to the DCHC MPO for transportation projects, and to consider adopting a resolution seeking Regional Flexible Funding for FY 25.
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Department
DEPARTMENT: Planning
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Contact
CONTACT INFORMATION: Christina Moon, Planning Administrator, 919-918-7325, cmoon@carrboronc.gov <mailto:cmoon@carrboronc.gov>; Patricia McGuire, Planning Director, 919-918-7327, pmcguire@carrboronc.gov <mailto:pmcguire@carrboronc.gov>
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Council Direction
COUNCIL DIRECTION:
___ Race/Equity ____ Climate _X_ Comprehensive Plan _X_Other
Council Direction Statement
The Regional Flexible Funding (RFF) call for projects is an annual opportunity to seek federal funds for transportation infrastructure projects thereby advancing the implementation of the 2021 Bicycle Plan Update (Attachment C) and Transportation and Mobility chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. All transportation infrastructure projects advance the Town’s interests toward Climate Action. Pocket Questions are provided (Attachment F).
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Information
INFORMATION: The Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) has released a call for transportation projects for federal funding allocated to the MPO. This is an annual competitive-based opportunity to seek funding for new projects or additional funding for existing projects from the following federal programs: Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ), Transportation Block Grant Direct Attributable (STBGDA) and Transportation Alternatives program Direct Attributable (TAPDA).
Staff has identified three possible submittals based on projects that the Council has previously considered as priorities for evaluation. These include:
• Preliminary design for Phase 2 of the Bolin Creek Greenway.
• One to three projects in the 2021 Bicycle Plan Update that involve minimum design work and public engagement; possible projects include the Shelton Street contraflow and/or cycle track, the East Poplar pedestrian lane, Maple Avenue contraflow.
• Replacement for the Federal Corona Virus Relief (BGDACV) funding for the South Greensboro Street sidewalk project that was reallocated to NCDOT to prevent recission.
Considerations:
The selection for projects under the RFF program involves a faster timeline than the prioritization process for developing the NCDOT State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The expectation is that projects are ready to move forward within the fiscal year of selection.
As the Town considers items for the RFF request, it is also timely to note that there are currently three projects that are ready to move forward and will require substantial public engagement: the Estes Drive bike/ped improvements (this is next STIP project to advance); the Downtown master plan; and the update to the Safe Routes to School Strategic Action Plan. There is a limit to what staff can successfully achieve during a given timeframe, even with consultant involvement. Likewise, community members have limitations in their capacity to remain engaged in multiple projects simultaneously.
Staff would anticipate that the Bolin Creek Greenway design work would involve substantial community engagement. The selection of design consultants would also have to follow NCDOT’s formal Request for Letters of Interest (RFLOI) process.
Projects must be included in a locally adopted plan and/or the 2050 MTP to be considered for funding. If there is interest in submitting phase 2 of the Bolin Creek Greenway, the 2021 Bicycle Plan Update may need to be amended. The bike plan currently references the adopted greenway conceptual master plan but does not include any maps/alignments.
The RFF policy was recently amended to increase the minimum project submittal from $100,000 to $250,000.
Staff is working with the Town Engineer to develop preliminary cost estimates for the suggested projects: design for the Bolin Creek Greenway Phase 2 (approximately $400,000) and construction for one to three projects from the 2021 Bicycle Plan Update (approximately $1,112,000). Selected projects would require a 20-percent local match ($80,000 & $222,400 = $302,400) and staff time to administer the project funds and to manage the design and construction of the projects. Staff is seeking Orange County Transit funds to cover the 20-percent match for the $206,343 of BGDACV funding, (approximately $41,269). Staff would bring back a request to enter into a municipal agreement with NCDOT should projects be selected for funding.
Applicants are encouraged to submit bicycle, pedestrian, and transit projects to support the growth of a multimodal network. This is a priority interest and value of the DCHC MPO and of the Town.
Information relating to the Regional Flexible Funding policy and scoring rubric is provided (Attachment D & Attachment E). Staff is in the process of analyzing the three submittals based on the scoring rubric to determine which, if any, would be strong candidates for the RFF. Staff is also developing updated cost estimates for Town projects already programmed in the STIP to determine if additional funding may be needed.
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Fiscal and Staff Impact
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with the discussion of this item. Should the projects be selected for funding, matching funds would need to be identified for all of the projects except for the Corona Virus Relief funding. The anticipated local match associated with the projects described totals $302,400.
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Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Town Council consider adoption of the resolution (Attachment A) identifying projects for submittal for regional flexible funds for FY 25.
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