Agenda Item:

 

            15       

 
 


                            COUNCIL COMMUNICATION

                                      City Manager’s Office

 

 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION—

Agenda Date:               8/08/05                                                            Communication No.: 05-439

Agenda Item Type:       Resolution                                                        Roll Call No.:  

 

Submitted by:               Jeb E. Brewer, P.E., City Engineer

 

 

SUBJECT—

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Fund Applications—(1) East University Avenue Traffic Signal Interconnection Upgrading Project ($360,000) and (2) East 14th Street Widening Project at Hull /Grandview Avenues ($750,000).

 

 

SYNOPSIS—

This action would approve two applications for submission to the Iowa Department of Transportation for Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program (ICAAP) funding.  The two projects recommended by staff include (1) East University Avenue Interconnection Upgrading and (2) East 14th Street Widening Project at Hull/ Grandview Avenue. The goal of the ICAAP is to reduce congestion and thereby improve air quality. 

 

 

FISCAL IMPACT—

Total construction cost for the East University Avenue Traffic Signal Interconnect Upgrade project is $450,000.  $360,000 of ICAAP funding would be requested for this project.  The City’s share would be 20 percent, or $90,000.  In addition, the City would be responsible for project related design/inspection services estimated at $90,000.  If the project is approved, the City’s total share ($180,000) is proposed to be funded from the Capital Improvements Program, Citywide Traffic Signal Interconnection, CP038, ENG990000, STR097.

 

Total project cost for the East 14th/Hull project (including widening between Oak Park and Sheridan Avenues) is $7,000,000, and is planned to be a cooperative project between the City and the Iowa Department of Transportation involving multiple funding sources.  $750,000 of ICAAP funding would be requested for this project.  The City has committed $600,000 to this project as identified in the current Capital Improvements Program under East 14th Street Widening – East Sheridan Avenue to East Ovid Avenue, CP038, ENG990000, STR223. 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION—

Approval and authorization to submit applications to the Iowa Department of Transportation for CMAQ funds.

 

 

BACKGROUND—

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) established a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program that directs federal transportation funds towards projects to reduce congestion and pollution.  The Iowa Department of Transportation has established an Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program (ICAAP), including guidelines on how to prioritize the disbursement of these funds, which are approximately $4.7 million annually.  Their program is implemented through a statewide competitive application procedure that evaluates each proposed project, based on reducing congestion and pollution and thereby maintaining the clean air quality that Iowa now enjoys.

 

Types of projects that are eligible for this funding include Traffic Flow Improvements, Shared-Ride Services, Transit Improvements, Pedestrian and Bicycle Programs, and others.

 

This year’s project applications are required to be submitted through the Metropolitan Planning Organization to the Iowa Department of Transportation no later than August 15, 2005.

 

The City has previously received funding for several projects through this program, including Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway ($5,500,000); the Downtown Traffic Signal System ($3,000,000); the East 14th Street Signal System ($800,000); the East Side Traffic Signal Interconnection ($580,000); and the Northwest Side Traffic Signal Interconnection ($400,000). 

 

It is proposed that the City of Des Moines submit two projects for consideration to the Iowa Department of Transportation.  On the August 8, 2005 agenda, there will be a roll call directing the City Manager to submit applications through the Metropolitan Planning Organization to the Iowa Department of Transportation for CMAQ funds for the following projects:

 

1.         East University Avenue Traffic Signal Interconnect Upgrade:  This project will replace and extend the current signal interconnect system along East University Avenue between Hubbell Avenue and Williams Street (and a spur along E. 30th Street) with a fiber optic system, connecting the traffic signals along this arterial street directly with the City’s traffic operations center located at the Armory Building.  A traffic observation camera at East 30th/University will also be included to monitor traffic flows during events at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.  Two Dynamic Message Signs (DMS’s) are also included to assist with motorist information in the vicinity of the Fairgrounds.  The estimated project cost is $450,000, of which $360,000 of ICAAP funding will be requested. 

2.         East 14th Street Widening at Hull/Grandview Avenues:  This project consists of widening of East 14th Street in the vicinity of Hull Avenue and Grandview Avenues to a five-lane facility in order to provide left turning lanes at intersections and drives.  New traffic signals would be installed at the intersections of East 14th Street with Hull Avenue and with Grandview Avenue.  The total estimated project cost is $7,000,000, of which $750,000 of ICAAP funding will be requested.

 

Schedule

 

If approved, the East University Traffic Signal project would be scheduled for construction in 2007, and the East 14th Street Widening project would be scheduled for construction in 2008.