Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to grant consent and propose cooperation with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) relative to the FRA-270-51.50/FRA-23-4.19 project, PID 92616.
The aforementioned effort, which is slated to commence in the summer of 2023, encompasses various improvements to the I-270 and US 23 interchanges and the US 23 and Rathmell Road intersection on the south side of Columbus. Proposed work includes removing/reconfiguring/rebuilding various ramps; installing signals; relocating power poles; rehabilitating bridge structures; increasing safety and reducing congestion through the intersection of U.S 23 and Rathmell Road by adding turn lanes and upgrading signals; adding a third lane on US 23 northbound; and other associated work within City Limits.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
There is no anticipated cost to the City for this project, as ODOT shall assume and bear all associated preliminary engineering, right-of-way acquisition, and construction costs.
3. MINORITY AND WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE & SMALL LOCAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM
ODOT is a political subdivision of the State of Ohio and intends to be solely responsible for all costs incurred during the completion of the necessary highway improvements. As such, MBE/WBE/SLBE program requirements are not applicable.
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to maintain the schedule ODOT has established for this project.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to grant consent and propose cooperation with the Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation, State of Ohio for work to be performed along US Route 23 at I-270 and Rathmell Road in the south side of the City; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) proposes to construct various improvements to the FRA-IR270/US23 and FRA-US23/Rathmell Road interchanges including: removing, reconfiguring, and rebuilding various ramps; rehabilitating existing bridge structures; and adding turn lanes and upgrading signals in order to increase safety and reduce congestion within the project limits; and
WHEREAS, this improvement project is within the Columbus corporate boundaries; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to grant consent and propose cooperation with ODOT relative to the aforementioned effort; and
WHEREAS, this project does not include City of Columbus funding so is not subject to the City's MBE/WBE/SLE program requirements; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Public Service to grant consent to ODOT so as to maintain the schedule ODOT has established 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:
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.
SECTION 1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The STATE has identified the need for the described project:
At I-270 and US 23, removing/reconfiguring/rebuilding various ramps; installing signals; relocating power poles; rehabilitating bridge structures; increasing safety and reducing congestion through the intersection of US 23 and Rathmell Road by adding turn lanes and upgrading signals; and adding third lane on US 23 northbound, along with other associated work within City Limits.
SECTION 2. CONSENT STATEMENT
Being in the public interest, the LPA gives consent to the Director of Transportation to complete the above described project.
SECTION 3. COOPERATION STATEMENT
The LPA shall cooperate with the Director of Transportation in the above described project as follows:
The State shall assume and bear 100% of all of the costs of the improvement.
The LPA further agrees to pay One Hundred Percent (100%) of the cost of those features requested by the LPA which are determined by the State and Federal Highway Administration to be unnecessary for the Project.
SECTION 4. 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.
SECTION 5. MAINTENANCE
Upon completion of the described Project, and unless otherwise agreed, the LPA shall: (1) provide adequate maintenance for the described Project in accordance with all applicable state and federal law, including, but not limited to, 23 USC 116; (2) provide ample financial provisions, 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 6. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
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.