Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) accepts low-cost project applications and systemic project applications for funding from its Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) throughout the year. These low-cost applications have the same ten-percent local match requirements as applications submitted during ODOT’s semi-annual HSIP application process; and systemic project applications typically have no local match requirement for construction.
The City of Columbus has been approached by the City of New Albany about submitting a joint systemic project application to request funding to install approximately 4.5 miles of cable barrier on State Route 161. Approximately 2.5 miles of cable barrier would be installed within the City of New Albany, and 2.0 miles of cable barrier would be installed within the City of Columbus. The Department of Public Service intends to request ODOT fund the entire project, and it also intends to request to use ODOT’s existing design contract to design and prepare construction documents. Public Service does not anticipate being required to provide a local match. However, if a local match is required, it would be a ten-percent local match, which would be approximately $50,000.00.
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Service to submit HSIP applications, to execute project related agreements for approved projects, to accept and expend grant funds, and to issue refunds of unused grant funds if necessary after final accounting is performed or upon authorization of the Department of Public Service’s Division of Design and Construction. Matching funds will be in the form of design contracts, right of way acquisition, and/or construction contracts that will be submitted for Council's approval.
2. EXPECTED PROJECTS
The Department of Public Service plans to submit applications for the following projects:
Cable Barrier Installation - SR161. This project will mitigate median crossover crashes...
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