DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Application for Federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP).
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the submission of an application to the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) for funding consideration under the Transportation Alternatives Program.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) has issued an agency call for Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funded projects. The program focuses on non-vehicular solutions for transportation such as walking and may also be used for transit improvements. The City’s proposal is for pedestrian safety improvements on Zarzamora to support VIA Metropolitan Transit’s implementation of PRIMO rapid transit in 2018.
VIA PRIMO uses modern rubber-tire, high capacity vehicles and controlled traffic signals to move riders more efficiently. Boarding takes place at stations rather than bus stops which will allow riders to get to their destinations faster. Some of VIA PRIMO benefits include: frequent 10-minute peak service between the Medical Center and Downtown, convenient extensions to UTSA and Leon Valley, free Wi-Fi, real-time arrival information, and transit signal priority to speed up travel times.
The City of San Antonio application submittal is due to the AAMPO January 16, 2017.
Projects submitted by the City will be evaluated by AAMPO through a competitive process. All governmental entities from throughout the AAMPO region may submit projects. Projects may be awarded in full, or partially. Award of project funding will be announced in June 2017.
ISSUE:
The Transportation Alternative Program submittal by the City of San Antonio is for pedestrian safety improvements along Zarzamora from Fredericksburg Road to SW Military. VIA Metropolitan Transit is currently planning to introduce PRIMO service along this high ridership corridor to begin in 2018. VIA is making many direct improvements to transit stations and surrounding pedestrian facilities. To help complete the corridor, the TAP will be used for City projects to complement this transit investment and improve pedestrian safety along the other parts of the corridor.
The TAP is a reimbursable federal funding program and all applicable federal rules apply. The amount of funding available to the AAMPO region for TAP funded projects is approximately $15 Million and the anticipated maximum amount allowable for one project is $5 Million. The funding only may be used for construction costs and may not exceed more than 80% of a total project construction costs.
In coordination with VIA Metropolitan Transit, the proposed project submittal totals $7.5 Million with $3.5 Million in local funding and $4 Million in Federal funding. Through the competitive scoring process, AAMPO may fund the project in full, or partially. A summary of the costs are shown below. A local match of 20% of the approved construction costs will be required from the City. In addition, any design, environmental and administration costs also will be the responsibility of the City
|
MPO Allowable Construction Costs |
80% (MPO) |
20% (MPO) |
Other |
VIA |
Total Project Costs |
Total CoSA Local Costs |
|
$5M |
$4M |
$1M |
$2M |
$.5M |
$7.5M |
$3M |
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose to not authorize any or all of the projects in this submittal for federal funding consideration. However, the City would miss an opportunity to gain approximately $4 Million in federal funds dedicated specifically to pedestrian safety facilities that leverage and supplement existing local funding. City Council also could choose to select other projects. The projects recommended meet the program requirements and is a joint application with VIA Metropolitan Transit.
FISCAL IMPACT:
City Council action to submit the application does not commit any funds. A match is required and the City has until 2018 to determine the funding source for the match. VIA’s Board will vote on December 13, 2016 to approve VIA’s funding match requirement of $500,000.00. The City’s funding match requirement of $3,000,000.00 currently is not funded.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of an ordinance authorizing the submission of an application to the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) for funding consideration under the Transportation Alternatives Program.