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County Administrator's Report 15. 14.
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| BCC Regular Meeting |
Budget & Finance Consent |
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| RECOMMENDATION: |
Recommendation Concerning the Transportation Regional Incentive Program for Project Development and Environment Study for the Escambia Beltway and the Escambia Beltway Corridor Study - Joy D. Blackmon, P.E., Public Works Department Director
That the Board take the following action concerning the Transportation Regional Incentive Program (TRIP) for Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study for the Escambia Beltway and the Escambia Beltway Corridor Study:
A. Authorize the County Administrator to submit a request for TRIP Funds to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to request funding assistance for Planning Services for the PD&E Study phase for a four-lane roadway along Beulah Road, from Nine Mile Road north to I-10, including the new I-10 Interchange and continuing further north to US 29, and to request funding assistance for the Escambia Beltway Corridor Study for the segment from I-10 to US 29; and
B. Authorize the Chairman to sign the TRIP Application and any other documents associated with this TRIP Application without further action of the Board.
[Funding Source: Fund 352, Local Option Sales Tax III: $1,934,335.73, Cost Center 210107, Object Code 56301; FDOT Funds through Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Matching Programs, TRIP Funds and Other Federal and State Funding Programs] |
| BACKGROUND: |
TRIP was created to improve regionally significant transportation facilities in "regional transportation areas." State Funds are available throughout Florida to provide incentives for local governments and the private sector to help pay for critically needed projects that benefit regional travel and commerce. If selected for funding, FDOT will pay up to 50 percent of project costs for public transportation facility projects. Projects must: “Serve national, statewide, or regional functions and function as part of an integrated regional transportation system”.
As noted in the attached letter, TRIP Funds have been allocated to FDOT, District 3, allowing counties to request funding assistance. As a normal process for roadway capacity construction projects, the National Environment Protection Act (NEPA) PD&E Study is required. This is why Escambia County will be requesting funding assistance for the PD&E phase.
In reviewing transportation planning concepts for Escambia County, analysis has indicated the fundamental cost feasible approach to relieve congestion on many roadways, is to apply a methodology of establishing corridors. Corridors can move high volumes of traffic, help reduce overall right-of-way purchasing cost, residential noise impacts and cut through traffic, and roadway construction costs. This is feasible, because attention is focused on fewer and longer facilities that will redirect or attract traffic, and bring relief to other stressed facilities with no or little improvements. |
| BUDGETARY IMPACT: |
Funding Source: Fund 352, Local Option Sales Tax III: $1,934,335.73, Cost Center 210107, Object Code 56301;
FDOT Funds through Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Matching Programs, TRIP Funds and Other Federal and State Funding Programs] |
| LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF: |
| N/A |
| PERSONNEL: |
| County, FDOT, and West Florida Regional Planning Council (WFRPC) Staff will coordinate efforts. |
| POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION: |
N/A
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| IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION: |
| County Staff will prepare the package and submit to FDOT, District 3, through approval of the FL-AL TPO and the Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO). Public Works Department will coordinate with the FDOT, District 3, WFRPC, and the Regional and Local Transportation Planning Committees. |
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