DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 3
SUBJECT:
Presa Ramps at Highway 90
SUMMARY
An Ordinance establishing project funding and oversight agreements for the Presa Ramps at Hwy 90 project to include authorizing the execution of an Advanced Funding Agreement between the City of San Antonio and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), accepting reimbursement in an estimated amount of $9,128,240.00 from TxDOT for construction-related expenses and authorizing payment in the amount of $122,444.00 to TxDOT for state oversight costs for construction, a $7,000,000.00 2012-2017 General Obligation Bond and Local Agency Managed Project located in Council District 3.
BACKGROUND
The 2012-2017 General Obligation Bond Program authorized $7,000,000 for the design of an entrance ramp on westbound US 90 and an exit ramp on eastbound US 90 at Presa Street. Federal funding allows for construction of the entrance ramp. This improvement will result in improved connectivity to the area and is needed to address the lack of access points to Highway 90 along the corridor between IH 35 and IH 37.
An Interstate Justification Access Report (IAJR) was done by the design consultant and was submitted to TxDOT to be reviewed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for approval of the entrance and exit ramps as access points to US 90, an interstate highway. The IAJR objectives are to improve connectivity, relieve congestion on area streets, improve safety, improve the Traffic Level of Service and improve Presa Street. A Market and Economic Impact Study also was performed for the Presa Ramps at Highway 90 Project to review socio-economic data, traffic data, demographics, population and business and property data.
The Presa Ramps at Highway 90 Project currently are listed in the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) 2040 Long Range Plan. The MPO issued a call for projects requesting projects for funding consideration through the FY 2013-2016 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) in 2010 and Presa Ramps at Highway 90 was submitted for consideration. The project currently is in the MPO Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) for FY 2015-2019 which was approved in April 2015 for federal funds for construction. Project construction is anticipated to begin May 2017 and estimated to be completed by November 2018. The City intends to request federal funding for construction of the exit ramp in from MPO in the future.
This Advanced Funding Agreement with TxDOT will allow for the construction costs to qualify for federal cost sharing for construction and construction related costs in an estimated amount of $9,128,240.00. The remaining construction cost for the entrance ramp and all design cost will be the responsibility of the City of San Antonio, budgeted in 2012 - 2017 Bond. Local Agency Managed projects are managed by the City but they receive federal funds administered through TxDOT. The funds paid to TxDOT by the City are for costs associated with state oversight of the federal funds.
ISSUE
An ordinance for the Presa Ramps at Highway 90 Project, a 2012 -2017 General Obligation Bond and Local Agency Managed (LAM) project, located in District 3, authorizing the execution of an Advanced Funding Agreement between the City of San Antonio and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), accepting reimbursement in an estimated amount of $9,128,240.00 in federal funds from TxDOT for construction-related expenses and authorizing payment in the amount of $122,444.00 to TxDOT for state oversight costs for the construction of the entrance ramp on westbound US Highway 90 at Presa Street. The remaining project expenses will be the responsibility of the City of San Antonio and is available from the 2012 - 2017 Bond Program.
This Project provides for an entrance ramp from Eastbound IH 10 / US 90 to Presa St and improvements to Presa Street including adding curb and sidewalks. Project construction is anticipated to begin May 2017 and estimated to be completed by November 2018.
This is a Local Agency Management (LAM) Project, which allows for City of San Antonio TxDOT-trained employees to manage a construction project with federal funding administered by TxDOT. The Project is located in Council District 3, funded by the Federal Highway Administration and the 2012 - 2017 Bond Program.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose not to approve the Advanced Funding Agreement; however, by not approving this item, the City will lose the opportunity of receiving funding from TxDOT for the Presa Ramps at Highway 90 improvements and postpone the needed improvements in this area.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is one-time capital improvement, accepting $9,128,240.00 in federal funds allocated to the City by the Federal Highway Administration through TxDOT as a federal pass through grant associated with the construction of Presa Ramps at Highway 90 Project and authorizing payment in an amount not to exceed $122,444.00 to TxDOT for state oversight fees. The City will provide match of $551,760.00 for the construction funding bringing the total city contribution for the project to $674,204.00. Funds are available from the Presa Ramps project, a 2012-2017 General Obligations Bonds and are included in the FY 2015 - 2020 Capital Improvements Program Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance authorizing execution of an Advanced Funding Agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for the construction of Presa Ramps at Highway 90 Project.