DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICT IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Application for Federal Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the submission of an application to the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) for eight projects totaling an estimated $89.5 million for funding consideration through the FY 2017-2020 Transportation Improvement Program and authorizing the acceptance of federal funds if awarded.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) has issued an agency call for projects for the FY 2017-2020 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) utilizing Surface Transportation Program - Metropolitan Mobility (STP-MM) funds. The TIP is a reimbursable federal funding program and all applicable federal rules apply. The amount of funding available to the region is approximately $100 million in STP-MM funds. The funding may only be used for construction costs and may not exceed more than 80% of the total project construction costs.
The Surface Transportation Program - Metropolitan Mobility (STP-MM) will fund construction for transportation projects that add capacity, improve operations, improve bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, improve transit, and major planning studies within the AAMPO region.
The City of San Antonio application is due to the AAMPO by December 1, 2015. 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 April 2016.
The following list of projects is being recommended for consideration of funding through the FY 2017-2020 Transportation Improvement Program:
|
Category |
Project |
Estimated Cost |
|
|
|
|
|
Operational Improvements |
Austin Highway / Harry Wurzbach |
$11,000,000 |
|
Operational Improvements |
Zarzamora / Frio City RR Crossing |
$18,000,000 |
|
Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements |
Citywide Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Improvements |
$2,500,000 |
|
Operational Improvements |
Citywide Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Enhancements |
$4,000,000 |
|
Operational Improvements |
Wurzbach Parkway Intersections |
$13,000,000 |
|
Capacity Improvements |
S. New Braunfels |
$14,000,000 |
|
Operational Improvements |
Presa Ramps / US 90 |
$15,000,000 |
|
Operational Improvements |
Rittiman / Gibbs Sprawl |
$12,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL COST |
$89,500,000 |
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the submission of an application to the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) for eight projects totaling an estimated $89.5 million for funding consideration through the FY 2017-2020 Transportation Improvement Program and authorizes the acceptance of federal funds if awarded.
The Surface Transportation Program - Metropolitan Mobility submittal by the City of San Antonio includes eight projects that address needs throughout diverse geographic locations in the community. Projects were also selected for which the local funding portion of the project costs could leverage existing funding and not require additional allocation from the City’s budget. Lastly, adding federal funding to a project does place more requirements, administration, and costs to a project because the project needs to meet federal construction guidelines and requires oversight by the Texas Department of Transportation. Below is a brief description of the eight projects:
Austin Highway / Harry Wurzbach
This is an operational project designed to construct new entrance and exit ramps at the intersection of Harry Wurzbach and Austin Highway to improve safety and connectivity. The intersection will have four ramps. Two of the ramps were funded in the last TIP call. Additional funding will complete all four ramps. Operational improvements will also be made at Austin Highway and Eisenhauer for access management and improve traffic flow in the vicinity. The local match is anticipated to be included in the FY 2017-2022 General Obligation Bond program.
Zarzamora / Frio City RR Crossing
This project is to build an overpass on Zarzamora Road to go over the railroad tracks. The tracks run parallel and to the east of Frio City Road. The overpass is desired because there is a high volume of traffic on Zarzamora at this location and each train crossing causes long delays, with few alternative routes, for travel in this vicinity. The local match is anticipated to be included in the FY 2017-2022 General Obligation Bond program.
Citywide Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Improvements
This project includes key improvements for pedestrian and bicycle facilities to improve safety. Improvements include z-crossings, pedestrian refuge islands, and protected bicycle lanes. The local match is anticipated to be included in the City’s FY 2017 Infrastructure Maintenance Program.
Citywide Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Enhancements
This project will improve the City’s ability to maintain an efficient and safe transportation network. Communication network improvements under this project include fiber optic communications cable and equipment to ensure that field devices can be controlled and monitored remotely from the Traffic Management Center; Closed-circuit traffic monitoring cameras at key intersections are needed to reduce the response time to incidents; and installation of advanced vehicle detection devices will improve automated system queries and alerts and provide additional real-time information that can be shared with other transportation agencies and the public. The local match is anticipated to be included in the City’s FY 2017 Infrastructure Maintenance Program.
Wurzbach Parkway Intersections
This project includes operational improvements and turning lanes along Wurzbach Parkway at the intersections of NW Military and Lockhill-Selma. The Wurzbach Parkway extension from I-10 to I-35 was completed in 2015. These improvements will assist with the additional volumes of traffic the completed parkway is adding to these three intersections. The local match is anticipated to be included in the FY 2017-2022 General Obligation Bond program.
S. New Braunfels
This project extends S. New Braunfels from Lyster Road, within Brooks City-Base, south to Loop 410. The road does not currently exist and will be built to arterial standards. The local match is to be funded by Brooks City-Base, TIRZ #16 and the FY 2017-2022 General Obligation Bond program.
Presa Ramps / US 90
This project is an operational improvement project that will add an entrance ramp on westbound US 90 and an exit ramp on eastbound US 90 in the Presa Street area. This improvement will result in enhanced connectivity to the area and is needed in order to address the lack of access points to Highway 90 from this area of town. The local match is anticipated to be included in the FY 2017-2022 General Obligation Bond program.
Rittiman / Gibbs Sprawl
This project is to build an overpass on Rittiman Road to go over the railroad tracks. The tracks run parallel, and to the east of, Gibbs Sprawl Road. The overpass is desired because there is a high volume of traffic on Rittiman, including freight trucks, and each train crossing causes long delays for vehicles in the vicinity. The local match is anticipated to be included in the FY 2017-2022 General Obligation Bond program.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose to not authorize any or all of the projects in this submittal for the federal funding consideration. However, the City would miss out on an opportunity to obtain approximately $89.5 million federal funds for the completion of these important transportation improvement projects in San Antonio. City Council also could choose to select other projects. The projects recommended meet the program requirements and represent needs throughout the San Antonio community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance requests City Council action to submit the application for a total of $89,500,000. If approved, the City will be responsible for a local match of 20% of the approved construction costs, plus design, environmental and administration costs. The City’s portion potentially could be included in the FY 2017 Infrastructure Improvement Program (IMP) and the FY 2017-2022 General Obligation Bond Program if one or more of the projects submitted are awarded funding.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance authorizing the submission of an application to the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) for eight projects for funding consideration under the Surface Transportation Program - Metropolitan Mobility (STP-MM) Program. This action also authorizes the acceptance of federal funds if awarded.