Agenda Information Sheet
DEPARTMENT: Transportation
CM/ ACM: John Cabrales, Jr.
Date: December 5, 2016
SUBJECT
Title
Receive a report and hold a discussion regarding the removal of FM 426, McKinney Street, as a roadway on the Texas Department of Transportation System and receive a status report on alternative transportation options provided through a partnership with Denton County Transportation Authority, Denton Independent School District and the City of Denton.
Body
BACKGROUND
Construction:
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) recently transferred FM 426 from their “on-system” roadway network to the City’s local roadway network and transferred the FM 426 project in the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) from TxDOT to the City. The City of Denton received the Local Project Agreement (LPA) draft from TxDOT on November 28, 2016. Staff has initiated an engineering and legal review and finalization (some items have already been identified as requiring change) before taking it to the Council for consideration and approval.
Staff has been advised TxDOT will execute the City of Denton approved LPA within 30 - 45 days of receipt. After full execution of the LPA, TxDOT will transfer their allocated funding to the City, approximately $18.27 million. At that time, the City will be able to incur expenses against the funding. Any expenses the City incurs prior to transfer of the funding will not be authorized to be charged to the TxDOT funding. It is anticipated funding will not be authorized until late-January 2017.
While awaiting the LPA and transfer of funding, the City is proceeding with finalizing its Request for Proposals (RFP) from consulting engineers to serve as the City’s Design Criteria consultant to prepare schematic plans for the project and assist the City with preparation of a Design-Build RFP to contract with a Design-Build Team (engineer and contractor) to prepare the final design and construct the utility adjustments and roadway improvements. Upon receipt of TxDOT’s project funding, the Council will be able to award a contract with the Design Criteria consultant. Staff anticipates the design schematic phase to take approximately 18 months and the design-build phase to take 18-24 months. Should the design require right of way or utility easements, an additional 12 months will be added to the schedule prior to the construction phase.
The project scope is reconstruction of McKinney from a two-lane to a four-lane divided roadway from Woodrow to the city limits on the east (South Trinity), to include sidewalks on both sides. City staff was directed to advance a two-phase approach on the construction phase based on available funding. Phase I, Loop 288 to Grissom Road will be constructed first. The Loop 288 intersection will be included in Phase I. Phase II will include similar improvements on the remainder of the roadway, west of the Loop 288 intersection to Woodrow Lane.
Transportation Partnership:
Earlier this year, the City of Denton, Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) and the Denton Independent School District (DISD) entered into a two month pilot program offering reduced fare rides for students who live inside the two-mile DISD no bussing zone, generally along the Loop 288 and McKinney Street Corridor. The partnering agencies developed the 2016-17 program, based on the pilot, allowing students to utilize the existing DCTA Connect Route 3 to access Ryan High School (RHS) through a voucher system. Vouchers or passes are priced at $2.50 per week and are administered by DISD staff at RHS. The total estimated cost to the DISD and the City of Denton for the 2016-17 program is $13,500 and the cost will be split equally. DCTA is providing an in-kind donation through a twenty-percent discounted group rate for the passes and provides approximately 30 One-Ride Connect Passes each month for students who may want to try out the program to see if it fits their needs.
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF PROJECT
Engineering anticipates an 18 month schematic design phase followed by 18-24 month design-build phase.
Staff from the partnering agencies anticipate the DCTA Voucher program will be necessary through June 2019.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (Council, Boards, Commissions)
June 2015 - Denton City Council gave staff direction to work with TxDOT to move FM 426 off-system.
February 2016 - Denton City Council and DISD Board received a briefing on this project.
April 2016 - Denton City Council received an Informal Staff Report.
Monthly updates have been provided to the Denton City Council Mobility Committee via the TxDOT On-System Report (Exhibit 1).
FISCAL INFORMATION
TxDOT had an estimated $18.27 million in the project account for the reconstruction of FM 426.
As of November, DISD and the City of Denton have contributed approximately $700 each to provide transportation options through the 2016-17 DCTA Voucher Program.
STRATEGIC PLAN RELATIONSHIP
The City of Denton’s Strategic Plan is an action-oriented road map that will help the City achieve its vision. The foundation for the plan is the five long-term Key Focus Areas (KFA): Organizational Excellence; Public Infrastructure; Economic Development; Safe, Livable, and Family-Friendly Community; and Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship. While individual items may support multiple KFAs, this specific City Council agenda item contributes most directly to the following KFA and goal:
Related Key Focus Area: Organizational Excellence
Related Goal: 1.6 Collaborate with local, regional, state, and federal partners
EXHIBITS
Exhibit 1 - FM 426 On-System Report
Respectfully submitted:
Mark Nelson
Transportation Director