DEPARTMENT: Public Works
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Razi Hosseini, P.E., R.P.L.S.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Advance Funding Agreement: Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Upgrade Project
SUMMARY:
An ordinance approving the execution of an Advance Funding Agreement between the City of San Antonio and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), accepting grant reimbursement in the estimated amount not to exceed $1,600,000.00 from TxDOT for construction related expenses and authorizing payment in the amount not to exceed $20,419.00 to TxDOT for administrative oversight of federal funds; and amending the FY 2021 - FY 2026 Capital Improvement Program with grant funds in the reimbursable amount of $1,600,000.00 for the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Upgrade Project. Funds are available from the FY 2020 and FY 2021 Advanced Transportation District Funds to fund the required local match and associated administrative oversight costs.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Project Background
The Public Works Department maintains approximately 1,430 signalized intersections. Advanced vehicle detection and traffic monitoring cameras are an essential component of modern traffic signal management. Since FY 2007, the Public Works Department has included a Traffic Signal Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Program as part of the Infrastructure Management Program (IMP).
The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Upgrade Project was selected for funding through the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to advance the operations of roadways throughout San Antonio. The agreement will allow the project costs to qualify for federal cost-sharing reimbursement up to the federally approved amount for a Local Agency Managed (LAM) project. LAM projects are managed by the City but receive federal funds administered through TxDOT. The funds paid to TxDOT by the City are for costs associated with oversight for the administration of the federal funds.
Upgrades to roadways throughout the City will improve operations, individual intersections, reduce delays thereby reduce emissions, enable the implementation of additional adaptive traffic signal corridors and improve the City’s ability to collect Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures (ATSPM). The data provided through ATSPM can be used to target maintenance dollars and prioritize other transportation system improvements.
Essential components of modern traffic signal management are advanced vehicle detection and traffic monitoring cameras. Many delays at signalized intersections are due to poor allocation of green light time. Newer detection technologies allow the signals to correctly detect vehicles more consistently without the impacts of weather or other conditions. The detectors are also able to provide data that can be used to adjust signal timing in real-time based on current conditions.
The CMAQ ITS Upgrade Project will provide for the installation of 101 traffic monitoring cameras, the upgrade of 22 signalized intersections with advanced vehicle detection and the installation of travel time data collectors along five top corridors throughout San Antonio. The City will design, advertise, and oversee the construction of the improvements leveraging funding from TxDOT.
ISSUE:
This ordinance approves the execution of an Advance Funding Agreement between the City of San Antonio and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), accepting grant reimbursement in the estimated amount not to exceed $1,600,000.00 from TxDOT for non-construction related expenses and authorizes payment in the amount not to exceed $20,419.00 to TxDOT for administrative oversight of federal funds for the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Upgrade Project.
The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Upgrade Project will improve operations and reduce delays and emissions and individual intersections and will also enable the implementation of additional adaptive traffic signal corridors and improve the City’s ability to collect Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures (ATSPM). This project will provide for the installation of 101 traffic monitoring cameras, the upgrade of 22 signalized intersections with advanced vehicle detection and the installation of travel time data collectors along five top corridors throughout San Antonio. The City will design, advertise and oversee the construction of the improvements leveraging funding from TxDOT.
The CMAQ ITS Upgrade Project was selected for funding through the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). As a requirement of the TIP, the local agency is responsible for 20% of the construction cost with the remaining 80% being provided federally through TxDOT. This Advance Funding Agreement with TxDOT will allow related project costs to qualify for federal cost-sharing up to the federally approved amount not to exceed $1,600,000.00. The remaining cost of $400,000.00 and the associated administrative oversight fees in an amount not to exceed $20,419.00 will be the City of San Antonio's responsibility.
Approval of this ordinance will continue the City’s commitment to maintaining and improving existing programs in collaboration with other governmental agencies.
ALTERNATIVES:
As an alternative, City Council could choose not to approve this agreement; however, the City will lose the opportunity to receive reimbursement from TxDOT, delaying the project or requiring a change in scope to stay within the available budget. The most cost-effective option would be to approve the Advance Funding Agreement with TxDOT.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of funds from TxDOT for reimbursement in an amount not to exceed $1,600,000.00 in federal funds allocated to the City from TxDOT as a federal pass-through grant associated with costs for the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Upgrade Project and authorizes payment in the amount not to exceed $20,419.00 to TxDOT for administrative oversight of federal funds.
The 20% match for this project is $400,000.00 and the City also will pay $20,419.00 for administrative oversight of federal funds associated with the project. This ordinance also authorizes a one-time capital improvement expenditure in the amount not to exceed $20,419.00 to TxDOT; and amends the FY 2021 - FY 2026 Capital Improvement Program with grant funds in the reimbursable amount not to exceed $1,600,000.00 for the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Upgrade Project.
Funds in the amount of $420,419.00 are available from the FY 2020 and FY 2021 Advanced Transportation District Funds.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of an Advance Funding Agreement between the City of San Antonio and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), accepting grant reimbursement in the estimated amount not to exceed $1,600,000.00 from TxDOT for construction-related expenses and authorizing payment in the amount not to exceed $20,419.00 to TxDOT for administrative oversight of federal funds for the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Upgrade Project.