Explanation
BACKGROUND
The junction of interstate freeways I-70 and I-71 in downtown Columbus accommodates approximately 146,000 motorists daily, significantly exceeding the safe capacity of the existing roadway design. According to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), their studies conclude that:
· Current traffic volume exceeds the design capacity of the highway, contributing to congestion and delay. Traffic peaks at around 7 a.m. and continues at near peak until 7 p.m.
· Crash data shows 1,225 accidents in the project area each year, more than three crashes every day. The overlapping of the two interstates forces drivers to weave through lanes, causing demanding decisions for drivers and increasing the number of conflict points.
· The pavement for the majority of the freeway system is rated favorably, however the pavement in the I-70/I-71 overlap area is fair to poor, indicating a need for resurfacing in the near future. The South Innerbelt is a vital transportation link for freight traffic with about 30 percent of all freight moving in Ohio traveling through this area.
· There are a number of social and physical environmental conditions in the area that must be carefully considered as various solutions are proposed.
The project reconstructs the I-670/71 interchange and involves 21 mainline, ramp and overhead bridges. Three cap structures will be constructed at the Spring Street and Long Street bridge crossings. Work on I-71 extends from Jack Gibbs Boulevard to Long Street and work on I-670 eastbound extends from west of Cleveland Avenue to east of St. Clair Avenue.
ODOT and its consultant team have a renewed commitment to work closely with neighborhood stakeholders and the Columbus City Council on the detailed design of the project, and have agreed to conduct a coordinated public involvement effort to finalize the design of the previously mentioned caps (FRA-71-17.60, PID 77369). ODOT has stated that "The number one goal of ODOT as this process moves forward is to fix the highway and be a good neighbor. This requires that input be sought from throughout the impacted area and that residents be vital partners" and additionally, ODOT has affirmed a commitment to build "Better connections with city neighborhoods and Downtown Columbus."
Construction for this phase of the project is planned to begin in the summer of 2011 with an estimated completion date of summer 2014. Since this project lies within the City of Columbus, this consent ordinance is necessary.
FISCAL IMPACT: The estimated construction cost of this project is $242,000,000.00. Currently, the City's share is estimated at $2,074,000.00 and will be needed in 2011. Prior to construction of the project, additional legislation will be submitted.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency action is requested for this ordinance in order to meet ODOT's project schedule. Members of city council received a letter from ODOT Director Jolene Molitoris dated July 14, 2010 wherein the director explained that an executed consent ordinance must be received by ODOT by August 16, 2010 in order to meet the Federal Highway Administration's deadline for Design-Build Specifications.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into an agreement with the Director of the Department of Transportation and to grant consent and propose cooperation with the State of Ohio for an I-670/71 interchange reconstruction project; and to declare an emergency. ($0)
Body
The following is an Ordinance enacted by the City of Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, hereinafter referred to as the Local Public Agency (LPA), in the matter of the stated described project.
WHEREAS, the State of Ohio has identified a compelling need to reconstruct the Interstate 70/71 junction to increase safety and capacity; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has agreed to construct the project in compliance with Complete Streets Principles and the Columbus Complete Streets Resolution 151X-2008 adopted by city council on July 29, 2008; and
WHEREAS, Complete Streets Principles require that streets be designed and constructed so that all users of all ages and abilities including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorized two-wheel vehicles and transit vehicles, are able to safely move along and across a complete street; and
WHEREAS, the numerous bridge crossings and miles of urban avenues associated with the Interstate 70/71 reconstruction project will have enormous and lasting impact on Columbus neighborhoods, overall quality of life, and the City's ability to continue to enhance and attract economic development potential; and
WHEREAS, the ODOT Director has stated the department's intent to develop a "world class project" and has affirmed that the reconstruction will be one of ODOT's first Complete Streets compliant efforts, and has committed to "integrating any improvements in a way that will enhance connectivity, livability and neighborhood sustainability"; and
WHEREAS, all phases of the Interstate 70/71 reconstruction will be in compliance with the City's existing development, neighborhood planning , transportation infrastructure and design and materials standards including the Bicentennial Bikeways Plan, the Columbus Downtown Streetscape Plan, the Columbus Downtown Plan, the Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan, the Downtown Circulation Study, the Near East Area Plan, the Old Town Quarter Economic Development Plan, historic architectural review commission guidelines, the King-Lincoln District Plan, the Parsons Avenue Vision Plan, the Riverfront Vision Plan and other applicable planning and development documents; and
WHEREAS, ODOT has agreed to work with neighborhood stakeholders and city council to establish frequent, meaningful and productive informational status updates as well as a commitment to conduct project enhancement discussions and associated funding negotiations; and
WHEREAS, adoption of this resolution indicates an agreement and understanding between ODOT and city council that prior to construction moving forward, ODOT will present for review the final design plans to members of council, neighborhood stakeholders and the community at large including the Mayor's administration; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service, Division of Design and Construction, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize consent for this project in order maintain ODOT's schedule for this project, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. Consent Statement
Being in the public interest, the LPA gives consent to the Director of Transportation to complete the above described project.
Section 2. Cooperation Statement
The LPA shall cooperate with the Director of Transportation in the above described project as follows:
The City hereby agrees to cooperate with the Director of Transportation of the State of Ohio in the planning, design and construction of the identified highway improvement project and grants consent to the Ohio Department of Transportation for its development and construction of the project in accordance with plans, specifications and estimates as approved by the Director.
The City agrees to assume and bear one hundred percent (100%) of the total cost of preliminary engineering, right-of-way and construction, less the amount of Federal and State funds set aside by the Director of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.
In the event that the City requests certain features or appurtenances be included within the highway improvement project's design and construction, and which features and appurtenances are determined by the State and Federal Highway Administration to be not necessary for the State's highway improvement project, the City shall, prior to the project being advertised for construction contract bidding purposes, provide appropriate documentation that its Council has appropriated, and its Auditor has certified, as being available for such specific purposes, funds sufficient in amount to cover one hundred percent of the costs of incorporating such additional features or appurtenances within the State's project, including preliminary engineering, final design, right-of-way, construction and construction engineering expenses as may be directly related thereto.
Section 3. Utilities and Right-of-Way Statement
The LPA agrees that all right-of-way required for the described project will be acquired and/or made available in accordance with current State and Federal regulations. The LPA also understands that right-of-way costs include eligible utility costs.
The LPA agrees that all utility accommodation, relocation and reimbursement will comply with the current provisions of CFR 645 and the ODOT Utilities Manual.
Section 4. Maintenance
Upon completion of the project, and unless otherwise agreed, the LPA shall: (1) provide adequate maintenance for the project in accordance with all applicable state and federal law, including but not limited to Title 23, U.S.C. Section 116; (2) provide ample financial resources, as necessary, for the maintenance of the project; (3) maintain the right-of-way, keeping it free of obstructions, and (4) hold said right-of-way inviolate for public highway purposes.
Section 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves or vetoes the same. That this ordinance shall take effect from and after the earliest period allowed by law.