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County Administrator's Report 11. 14.
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| BCC Regular Meeting - Canceled |
Budget & Finance Consent |
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| RECOMMENDATION: |
Recommendation Concerning the Transportation Regional Incentive Program Application for the US 29 Connector Project - Joy D. Blackmon, P.E., Public Works Department Director
That the Board take the following action concerning the Transportation Regional Incentive Program (TRIP) Application for the US 29 (aka Beulah Beltway) Connector Project, from Nine Mile Road to North of Interstate 10:
A. Authorize staff to submit an Application for TRIP funds to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to request Grant funding for the US 29 (Beulah Beltway) Connector Project; and
B. Authorize the Chairman to sign the Application and any other documents related to the request for TRIP Funds, subject to Legal review and sign-off, without further action of the Board, if applicable.
[Funding: $700,000 is available in Fund 352, "LOST III," Account Code 210107, Object Code 56301 Project #08EN0021, “Beulah/Beltway,” Fiscal Year 2016/2017, to be used as a match for this Grant] |
| 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. FDOT will pay up to 50 percent of project costs for public transportation facility projects which are selected for funding. Projects must: "Serve national, statewide, or regional functions and function as part of an integrated regional transportation system."
As noted on the attached letter, TRIP funds have been allocated to FDOT District 3, which allows counties to request funding assistance. The Project Development & Environmental Study (PD&E) for this project is currently underway, so this application is to receive funding for the design phase of the project.
In reviewing transportation planning concepts for Escambia County, analysis has indicated that 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 costs, residential noise impacts, 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, which can bring relief to other stressed roadway facilities with little or no improvements.
The multiple regional benefits that the US 29 Connector Project will provide (congestion relief to surrounding facilities, safety improvements, reduction in vehicles miles traveled, economic development, etc.) makes this project a prime candidate for TRIP funds. The US 29 Connector Project is currently listed as the #10 FL-AL TPO Non-SIS Project Priority (#3 Project less the box funds), as well as the #2 FL-AL TPO SIS Project. The TRIP Application is attached herein. |
| BUDGETARY IMPACT: |
| Funding: $700,000 is available in Fund 352, "LOST III," Account Code 210107, Object Code 56301 Project #08EN0021 “Beulah/Beltway”, in FY 2016/2017 to be used as a match for this Grant. |
| LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF: |
| Kristin Hual, Assistant County Attorney, has reviewed and signed off on the application. |
| PERSONNEL: |
| No additional staff required. |
| POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION: |
| N/A |
| IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION: |
County staff will prepare the package and submit to FDOT, District 3, through approval of the Northwest Florida Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO). Public Works Department will coordinate with the FDOT District 3, and RTPO planning committees.
County, FDOT, and West Florida Regional Planning Council staff will coordinate efforts. |
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