Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) will be accepting applications for MORPC Attributable Funding through October 9, 2020. This is an opportunity for the City to secure outside funding for various roadway improvement projects. MORPC has approximately $64 million to distribute to all applicants for new projects from 2022 through 2027.
MORPC Attributable Funds are composed of three federally funded programs: The Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG); the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and the Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality Program (CMAQ). MORPC requires that a designated official be authorized to submit said applications and execute project agreements for approved projects.
In addition to funding applications for projects not previously submitted, MORPC requests the City “reauthorize” projects submitted prior to 2020 to reaffirm the City's continuing commitment to those projects.
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to submit applications and to execute project agreements for approved projects.
2. EXPECTED PROJECTS
The following is a list of the specific projects for which applications likely will be submitted.
Projects currently on the Transportation Improvement Program that require an updated application:
• E Broad St from I-270/Taylor Station Road to Outerbelt St, Major widening (adding through lanes), from 5 lanes to 7 lanes, Intersection Modification. Anticipated construction in 2023. Total project cost estimate is approximately $17,382,524, and the current attributable funding request is approximately $9,861,590.
• Cassady Ave from CSX Railroad to north of E 7th Ave, Minor Widening, from 2 lanes to 3 lanes, Intersection Modification. Anticipated construction in 2023. Total project cost estimate is approximately $11,275,639, and the current attributable funding request is approximately $8,067,878.
• Concrete Bus Pad Upgrades, Reconstruction. Anticipated Construction in 2024. Total project cost estimate is approximately $1,259,409; and the current attributable funding request is approximately $967,869.
• Columbus Traffic Signal System (CTSS) Phase F, from Franklin County to Delaware County, Signalization. Anticipated construction in 2022. Total project cost estimate is approximately $14,415,000; and the current attributable funding request is approximately $12,039,353.
• Refugee Road from Winchester Pike to Hamilton Road, Sidewalks, Multi-Use Path. Anticipated construction in 2021. Total project cost estimate is approximately $5,846,131, and the current attributable funding request is approximately $3,848,114.
• Traffic Signal Infrastructure Replacement, Maintenance Activity. Anticipated construction in 2022. Total project cost estimate is approximately $692,650.00; and the current attributable funding request is approximately $604,570.
• SR-161 at Maple Canyon and Parkville/Spring Run, Intersection Modification. Anticipated construction in 2022. Total project cost estimate is approximately $12,115,000.00; and the current attributable funding request is approximately $968,800.
• I-70/I-71 Innerbelt (Phase 2D), Major widening (adding through lanes), Interchange Modification. The current total cost estimate for the project’s enhancements (including bridge, wall, and urban avenue enhancements) is approximately $4,439,483. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is contributing approximately $1,734,582; and the current attributable funding request is approximately $1,842,027.
• I-70/I-71 Innerbelt (Phase 3) from Main St to Long St, Major widening (adding through lanes), Bridge Replacement. The current total cost estimate for the project’s enhancements (including bridge, wall, and urban avenue enhancements) is approximately $12,512,403. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is contributing approximately $5,920,300; and the current attributable funding request is approximately $1,160,772.
• I-70/I-71 Innerbelt (Phase 4B), Major widening (adding through lanes), Bridge Replacement The current total cost estimate for the project’s enhancements (including bridge, wall, and urban avenue enhancements) is approximately $22,899,609. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is contributing approximately $6,911,241; and the current attributable funding request is approximately $2,775,118.
• I-70/I-71 Innerbelt (Phase 4H), Major Widening, Bridge Replacement. The current total cost estimate for the project’s enhancements (including bridge, wall, and urban avenue enhancements) is approximately $16,886,696. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is contributing approximately $5,559,212; and the current attributable funding request is approximately $1,254,476.
• I-70/I-71 Innerbelt (Project 6R), Major widening (adding through lanes), Interchange Modification. The current total cost estimate for the project’s enhancements (including bridge, wall, and urban avenue enhancements) is approximately $1,721,158. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is contributing approximately $550,000; and the current attributable funding request is approximately $404,028.
Potential projects that require a complete application:
• E. Broad Street, Outerbelt Street to Reynoldsburg-New Albany Road. Anticipated construction in 2025. Total project cost estimate is approximately $19,036,617. The total attributable funding request is approximately $13,709,294.
• Brice Road, from Chantry Drive to south of Channingway Boulevard. This project is part of ODOT’s Far East Freeway Study. Anticipated construction in 2025. Total project cost estimate is approximately $88,788,000. The project will be funded primarily by ODOT. The total attributable funding request is approximately $15,000,000.
• Cassady Avenue, Seventh Avenue to Johnstown Road. Anticipated construction in 2027. Total project cost estimate is approximately $12,324,283. The total attributable funding request is approximately $9,171,426.
• Columbus/COTA Communications Infrastructure. Anticipated construction in 2027. Total project cost estimate is approximately $7,770,000. The total attributable funding request is approximately $6,270,000.
• Dublin-Granville Road (SR-161), from Ambleside Drive to Maple Canyon Avenue. Anticipated construction in 2024. Total project cost estimate is approximately $15,900,000. The total attributable funding request is approximately $9,600,000.
• Hilliard Rome Road at Renner Road. Anticipated construction in 2027. Total project cost estimate is approximately $13,103,940. The total attributable funding request is approximately $9,579,152.
• Refugee Road at Hines Road. Anticipated construction in 2027. Total project cost estimate is approximately $5,731,000. The total attributable funding request is approximately $4,144,800.
• Sancus Boulevard, from Worthington Woods Boulevard to Lazelle Road. Construction in 2027. Total project cost estimate is approximately $12,308,319; and total attributable funding request is approximately $8,846,655.
• Cleveland Avenue Resurfacing. Anticipated construction in 2026. Total project cost estimate is approximately $3,328,574. The total attributable funding request is approximately $2,253,189.
• Downtown Signals, Rich Street Signal Replacements. Anticipated construction in 2025. Total project cost estimate is approximately $2,066,556. The total attributable funding request is approximately $1,429,245.
• Fifth Avenue Signal Replacements, from North Star to High Street. Anticipated construction in 2025. Total project cost estimate is approximately $4,432,200. The total attributable funding request is approximately $4,022,200.
• Sancus Boulevard SUP, from Worthington Galena Road to Worthington Woods Boulevard. Anticipated construction in 2026. Total project cost estimate is approximately $2,458,747. The total attributable funding request is approximately $1,406,998.
3. FISCAL IMPACT
The MORPC Attributable Funding can be used to support up to eighty percent (80%) of total right-of-way and construction expenses. Preliminary engineering and design expenses are not eligible for funding, except in certain situations. No financial participation is required at this time. The expenditure of City funds will be approved in the form of design and/or construction contracts that will be submitted to City Council at a later time.
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to receive Council approval to submit applications for the grant funding before the application submission deadline of October 9, 2020.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to submit MORPC Attributable Funds roadway improvement project applications to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission for consideration for funding within the Transportation Improvement Program; to authorize the Director of Public Service to execute project agreements for approved projects for the Department of Public Service; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) will be accepting MORPC Attributable Funding applications through October 9, 2020; and
WHEREAS, this is an opportunity for the City to secure outside funding for various roadway improvement projects; and
WHEREAS, MORPC requires that a designated official be authorized to submit said applications and execute project agreements for approved projects; and
WHEREAS, MORPC requests that the City “reauthorize” projects submitted prior to 2020 to reaffirm the City's continuing commitment;
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is necessary to receive Council approval to submit applications for the grant funding before the application submission deadline of October 9, 2020, 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. That the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to submit roadway improvement project applications to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission for consideration for funding within the Transportation Improvement Program and/or its component sub-programs, the Surface Transportation Program (STP); the Transportation Enhancement Program (TE) and the Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality Program (CM/AQ) for the projects identified in the preamble to this ordinance and that City Council hereby endorses said applications.
SECTION 2. That project application additions and substitutions are at the discretion of the Director of Public Service based upon the feasibility of the applications being approved through the scoring process.
SECTION 3. That the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to accept any grant funds offered and to execute project agreements for approved projects.
SECTION 4. That, in regard to any or all projects for which funding is approved within the context of this application process, the City will assume and bear one hundred percent (100%) of the cost of construction within its corporate limits minus the portion eligible for federal and state participation and provide maintenance to the improvements in accordance with the provisions of the statutes relating thereto and will make ample financial and other provisions for such maintenance.
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 nor vetoes the same.