TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Steve Powers, City Manager
FROM: Peter Fernandez, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
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Federal transportation funding allocated by the Salem-Keizer Area Transportation Study
Ward(s): 2, 6, and 8
Councilor(s): Andersen, Hoy, and Lewis
Neighborhood(s): SESNA, NOLA, and WSNA
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ISSUE:
Shall City Council authorize the City Manager to submit applications for federal transportation funding, allocated by the Salem-Keizer Area Transportation Study, for Brown Road NE Complete Streets, McGilchrist Street SE Complete Streets, and Orchard Heights Road NW Pedestrian and Pavement Improvement?
RECOMMENDATION:
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Authorize the City Manager to submit applications for federal transportation funding, allocated by the Salem-Keizer Area Transportation Study, for Brown Road NE Complete Streets, McGilchrist Street SE Complete Streets, and Orchard Heights Road NW Pedestrian and Pavement Improvement.
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SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND:
Federal funds are available for transportation projects in the Salem-Keizer-Turner area. These funds will be allocated by the Salem-Keizer Area Transportation Study (SKATS), which is a partnership between the cities of Salem, Keizer, and Turner; Marion and Polk counties; the Salem-Keizer Transit District; the Salem-Keizer School District; and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
SKATS is soliciting for transportation projects that will be ready for contract in fiscal years 2019, 2020, and 2021. The total federal funds available for this solicitation is $5 million. Recipients are required to provide matching funds to cover at least 10.27 percent of the project cost. To be eligible for funding, projects must be within the SKATS boundary and be included in, or consistent with, the Regional Transportation Systems Plan. Projects are expected to be regionally significant and assist in achieving one or more of the goals identified in the Regional Transportation Systems Plan.
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
SKATS is soliciting applications for federal transportation funding. Applications for this funding are due October 13, 2017. Salem has many transportation needs, as documented in the Salem Transportation System Plan. Staff recommends that applications for this federal funding be directed towards projects that either already have federal funds, or projects that have a significant source of available match. This approach increases efficiencies and recognizes the limited availability of matching funds.
Staff recommends Council authorize the City Manager to submit applications for the three projects described below and shown on the attached vicinity map (Attachment). Cost estimates are being prepared for the applications and will be further reviewed by SKATS and ODOT as part of the application review process. Staff will return to Council for approval of matching funds for applications that are awarded federal funds.
Brown Road NE Complete Streets
This project was previously awarded federal funds. The project will construct sidewalks and bike lanes on Brown Road NE between San Francisco Drive NE and Sunnyview Road NE and add a turn lane at the intersection with Sunnyview Road NE. Brown Road NE is a collector street that provides access to Scott Elementary School, is located on a bus route, and is adjacent to a future park site.
Additional costs were identified during project design. In particular, right-of-way costs are approximately three times greater than originally estimated and hazardous material has been identified that will require special disposal. Because this project already has federal funds, staff recommends that this be the City’s highest priority for additional federal funds.
McGilchrist Street SE Complete Streets
McGilchrist Street SE is a major arterial in the Salem Transportation System Plan. This street is located in an older industrial area that has significant opportunities for infill development. The current condition of the road hinders investment in the area. Additionally, the roadway lacks facilities for pedestrians or bicyclists and has experienced flooding.
The City formed an Urban Renewal Area in 2006 specifically to support needed transportation improvements in this vicinity. Urban Renewal funds are currently being used to design the roadway project and pursue environmental clearances. There will not be enough urban renewal funds to acquire needed right-of-way and construct the project. The strategy for delivering this project is to prepare it to be “shovel-ready” so that it can be competitive for future federal construction funding. Urban Renewal funds are being targeted to achieve the shovel-ready goal while retaining adequate funds to match future federal funding.
In 2016, the City was awarded federal funds for right-of-way acquisition for the additional width needed along McGilchrist Street SE and at intersections, with the exception of the intersection at 22nd Street SE. The intersection of 22nd Street SE and McGilchrist Street SE is an off-set intersection that will be realigned as part of the project. The right-of-way for this intersection was not included in the previous application because of higher costs associated with the realignment.
Staff recommends that the City apply for the additional right-of-way needed to realign 22nd Street SE at McGilchrist Street SE. If successful, the project will be well-positioned to compete for future federal construction funds.
Orchard Heights Road NW Pedestrian and Pavement Improvement
This project will enhance pedestrian travel along Orchard Heights Road NW and connect neighborhoods to the park and schools. In addition, the project will provide pavement restoration to support maintaining the City’s street system in a state of good repair.
The project will fill in two missing segments of sidewalk on the south side of this minor arterial street. The first segment is approximately 340 feet long and is adjacent to the Glen Creek Village Housing Authority Apartment Complex. The second segment is approximately 500 feet long and is along the frontage of a City water reservoir. The project will also construct a median at the entrance to the park opposite Parkway Drive to facilitate pedestrian access to the park. With the construction of this project, there will be complete pedestrian facilities along the south side of Orchard Heights Road from Wallace Road NW to just west of Settlers Spring Drive NW - a distance of almost two miles.
The sidewalk segment in front of the City’s water reservoir is the responsibility of the City utility. Staff recommends that this portion be funded with City utility funds and serve as the matching funds needed for the overall project. This application will leverage City funds to further improve pedestrian facilities and pavement condition on Orchard Heights Road NW.
Robert D. Chandler, PhD, PE
Assistant Public Works Director
Attachment:
Vicinity Map