DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-wide
SUBJECT:
Acceptance of Additional High Priority Project funds from the Federal Highway Administration
SUMMARY:
An Ordinance authorizing the acceptance of additional funds in the amount of $285,876.23 from the Federal Highway Administration for the City's traffic signal system.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On March 6, 2008, through Ordinance No. 2008-03-06-0166, the City of San Antonio entered into an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to administer a High Priority Project funded through the FHWA and accept funds in the amount of $2,847,360.00. Of the $2,847,360.00, the FHWA was to reimburse the City 80% ($2,277,888.00) and the City's match was 20% ($569,472.00) funded from Advanced Transportation District (ATD) funds. These funds were utilized to implement a portion of the Traffic Signal Coordination component of the Traffic Signal Synchronization/Modernization Project (TSSM). The TSSM Project was completed in FY 2012 and all funds from the original award have been received.
The TSSM Project was a five-year, $31 million, project which provided for a high-bandwidth, comprehensive communications network, the installation of new traffic management software and traffic signal controllers to support the city's increasing traffic signal operational needs, and the development and implementation of optimized traffic signal timings. The Project was started in October 2008 and was completed in September 2012. These additional funds will be utilized to continue completing upgrades to the existing system. Upgrades potentially include radar, traffic monitoring cameras, speed sensors, or travel sensors which will enhance traffic flow monitoring capabilities.
ISSUE:
The City has been notified by TxDOT that the FHWA is indicating that there is an additional $285,876.23 in funds available to the City for this High Priority Project (Traffic Signal Coordination) that previously was approved and completed. Since the cost of the Traffic Signal Coordination Project originally was overmatched by the City, there is no cost to the City to receive these funds. The invoice to FHWA will reflect the appropriate matching funds.
This ordinance authorizes the City to accept the additional FHWA funds. Funds will be placed into the Traffic Signal Systems Modernization Project so that the funds may be utilized to continue completing upgrades to the existing system. Potential upgrades may include radar, traffic monitoring cameras, speed sensors, or travel sensors which will enhance traffic flow monitoring capabilities.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City could choose not to accept these funds and miss the opportunity to be reimbursed for funds previously expensed from the TSSM Project, which can be used to further expand and upgrade the City's $31M investment.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of funds in the amount of $285,876.23 from FHWA to complete TSSM upgrades which may include radar, traffic monitoring cameras, speed sensors, or travel sensors which will enhance traffic flow monitoring capabilities.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance accepting the additional $285,876.23 in FHWA funds.