DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Razi Hosseini, P.E., R.P.L.S.
COUNCIL DISTRICT IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Proposed Projects for the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) program
SUMMARY:
An Ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) for funding in the amount of $48.32 million from federal funds for 15 proposed projects and programs in the total estimated amount of $60.40 million with a potential City match of $14.76 million for consideration through the FY 2020-2022 Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) program and authorizing the acceptance of federal funds if awarded.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The AAMPO includes all of Bexar, Comal, and Guadalupe Counties, and a portion of Kendall County. On July 17, 2018, Bexar County was designated marginal non-attainment by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) effective September 24, 2018. As a result, Bexar County is eligible to receive Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding to assist in meeting transportation conformity requirements.
• Transportation Conformity - Under the national Clean Air Act (CAA), Metropolitan Planning Organizations must show that the short- and long-range plans for the region’s transportation system do not worsen air quality. This process is called transportation conformity and ensures transportation and air quality agencies are working toward the same goal of cleaner air.
• CMAQ Funding - Federal funding source allocated by formula to Metropolitan Planning Organizations designated non-attainment, with a population greater than 200,000. CMAQ is a reimbursable program only and all federal and state rules apply. Only projects and programs within Bexar County are eligible for submittal. Applicants can include municipalities, counties, regional mobility authorities, river authorities, and school districts. Funding is estimated at $60 million total for FY 2020-2022 with roughly $20 million estimated per year. This funding is contingent upon the availability of federal funding.
AAMPO has established the following requirements must be met in order to qualify for this call for projects:
• Infrastructure projects submitted must have a minimum construction cost of $1,000,000.
• Only eligible items related to construction will be reimbursable; all development costs (design, engineering, right-of-way acquisition, etc.) are the responsibility of the local implementing agency.
• A minimum 20% cash match on the project or program cost is required.
• Projects adding or reducing roadway capacity (vehicle lanes) are ineligible.
• If any implementing agency submits more than one project or program, they are required to prioritize their submittals.
• Projects or programs selected for funding will be placed in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) for the respective fiscal year.
While AAMPO selects projects for CMAQ funding, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is the federally designated pass-through agency for this funding source. Entities awarded funding will enter into an agreement with TxDOT, who will require reimbursement of their costs for review and coordination of the project or program.
Examples of eligible Projects and Programs are listed below:
Projects
• Congestion reduction and traffic flow improvements
• Freight and intermodal
• Bicycle and pedestrian facilities
• Transit improvements
Programs
• Diesel engine retrofit and other advanced truck technologies
• Idle reduction
• Bicycle and pedestrian programs
• Public education and outreach
• Transportation Management Associations
• Carpooling and vanpooling
• Travel Demand Management
• Alternative fuels and vehicles
• Inspection and maintenance programs
On February 18, 2019, TCI presented a draft list of projects to the City Council Transportation Committee. During the briefing, the Committee recommended staff revise the list to include more projects supporting alternative transportation. The Committee also requested staff present a revised project list at the City Council Transportation Committee on March 18, 2019.
ISSUE:
The 15 projects and programs proposed by TCI have been selected based primarily on the following five factors:
• Ongoing Needs and Challenges
• Locations/Areas of Concern
• Program Continuation
• Leveraged Funding Opportunities
• Volkswagen Beneficiary Mitigation Trust Fund Consideration
• Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Consideration
The table below provides a brief overview of the 15 proposed projects and programs included in the application and the proposed funding sources for the match requirement:
Program Potential
Cost/ Match
Council Project 20% Local Funding
Proposed Projects Project Type District Cost1 Match Source
1. CoSA Transportation Demand Travel Demand Citywide $0.75M $0.15M Future Fiscal
Management (TDM) Programs Management Year Budget
2. Sustainability / Health Education Public Education & Citywide $0.45M $0.09M Future Fiscal
& Outreach Program Outreach Year Budget
3. Bicycle Master Plan Update Bicycle & Pedestrian Citywide $1.5M $0.3M Future Fiscal
Programs Year IMP Budget
4. Medical Center Green Street Bicycle & Pedestrian CD8 $6M $1.2M Future Fiscal
(Hamilton Wolfe/ Ewing Halsell) Facilities Year IMP Budget
5. Abe Lincoln Bicycle Facility Bicycle & Pedestrian CD7 $1.5M $0.3M Future Fiscal
Facilities Year IMP Budget
6. Five Palms Bicycle Facility Bicycle & Pedestrian CD4 $7M $1.4M Future Fiscal
Facilities Year IMP Budget
7. Lockhill-Selma Bicycle Facility Bicycle & Pedestrian CD8 $5M $1M Future Fiscal
Facilities Year IMP Budget
8. Citywide Intelligent Congestion Reduction & Citywide $2M $0.4M Future Fiscal
Transportation Systems (ITS) Traffic Flow Improvements Year IMP Budget
9. Traffic Signal Optimization Congestion Reduction & Citywide $5M $1M Future Fiscal
Traffic Flow Improvements Year IMP Budget
10. Rittiman Rd. at Congestion Reduction & CD2 $30M $6M FY 2022-2027
UPRR Crossing Overpass Traffic Flow Improvements Bond Program
11. Westover Hills Blvd. / Congestion Reduction & CD6 $1.2M $0.24M Future Fiscal
Military Dr. Turn Lanes Traffic Flow Improvements Year Budget
12. US281 at Basse Rd. / US281 at Congestion Reduction & CD1 $12.8M 2 $1.28M2 Future Fiscal
Jones-Maltsberger (TxDOT)2 Traffic Flow Improvements Year Budget
13-15. VIA Programs: Frequency, Programs that Encourage Citywide $14M 2 $1.4M2 Future Fiscal
Vanpool, & Mobility on Demand2 Transit Ridership Year Budget
CITY TOTAL $60.4M $14.76M
1 Project Cost represents only construction cost, the local agency is responsible for design and right-of-way acquisition.
2 10% overmatch proposed is to help ensure project selection, Project Cost is not included in City Total, 20% Local Match is included in City Total.
The list of projects will need to be approved by City Council in March 2019 prior to the April 1, 2019 project submittal deadline. The CMAQ funding program development schedule is as follows:
• May 2019 - Projects scored by AAMPO Committees
• June 2019 - AAMPO hosts public meetings/workshops
• July 2019 - AAMPO Technical Advisory Committee and Transportation Policy Board review the selected projects
• August 2019 - AAMPO Technical Advisory Committee and Transportation Policy Board consideration for approval on the selected projects
In addition to pursuing CMAQ program funding, the City is also actively pursuing funding available to Texas through the Volkswagen Beneficiary Mitigation Trust Fund, administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). TCI has been closely coordinating with the Office of Sustainability and San Antonio Metro Health Department who is leading this effort. Potential projects include City fleet replacement, vehicle electrification programs, and installation of charging stations. The combination of the Volkswagen Beneficiary Mitigation Trust Fund and CMAQ potential projects and programs gives the City a well-balanced approach to implementing infrastructure improvements and new programs to improve air quality.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose not to authorize any or all of the projects in this submittal for the federal funding consideration. However, the City would miss the opportunity to obtain approximately $48.32 million in federal funds for the completion of these important transportation improvement projects and programs in San Antonio. The $48.32 million represents the project or program cost less the 20% local match amount. 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 $60,400,000.00. If approved the City will be responsible for a local match of 20% of the approved construction costs, plus design, environmental and administrative costs, estimated at $12,080,000.00. Additionally, $2,680,000.00 is proposed as a 10% over-match to one TxDOT project and three VIA Metropolitan Transit programs yielding a potential total local match requirement of $14,760,000.00. The City’s portion potentially could be included in the FY 2020-2022 Infrastructure Management Programs (IMP) and the FY 2022-2027 General Obligation Bond Program if one or more of the projects submitted are awarded funding.
|
CMAQ Program Funding Summary |
|
80% Federal Funds |
$48.32M |
|
20% City Local Match |
$12.08M |
|
Total CMAQ Grant Request |
$60.40M |
|
Overmatch Funds |
$2.68M |
|
City Total Obligation3 |
$14.76M |
3City Total Obligation = City’s 20% Local Match and 10% Over-match Funds.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the submission of an application to the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) for funding in the amount of $48.32 million from federal funds for 15 proposed projects and programs in the total estimated amount of $60.40 million through the FY 2020-2022 Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) program and authorizing the acceptance of federal funds if awarded.