Agenda Information Sheet
DEPARTMENT: Transportation
ACM: John Cabrales
Date: February 14, 2017
SUBJECT
Title
Receive a report, hold a discussion, and provide a recommendation regarding an application to North Central Texas Council of Governments’ Transportation Alternatives-Set Aside program for funding of active transportation and Safe Routes to School projects.
Body
BACKGROUND
In December 2016, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) opened a Call for Projects under the Transportation Alternatives - Set Aside (TA-Set Aside) program. This program is funded through the current federal transportation funding bill, FAST Act: Fixing America’s Surface Transportation. NCTCOG has $23.4 million to award to the North Central Texas region. The Call for Projects has two categories - Active Transportation, which is customary bike and pedestrian infrastructure; and Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS), which is infrastructure tied to making walking and biking to schools safer. This is a reimbursement program, with local sponsors being reimbursed 80% (local agency must fund at least 20%). Applications are due Friday, February 24 at 5 p.m.
Staff identified candidate projects that would meet the most scoring criteria, which includes points for regional connectivity, mobility, safety, equity, implementation of a local plan, local network connectivity, and project readiness, among others. For Active Transportation, staff recommends the Sycamore-Welch Bike/Ped Connection, which provides a more direct connection from the Downtown Denton Transit Center to the University of North Texas. It will also link to existing bike infrastructure on Hickory Street, Mulberry Street, and Eagle Drive. Staff is proposing a sidepath on Sycamore, and a road diet of Welch. Additionally, the project will coordinate with traffic signal work planned for the intersection of Carroll Blvd and Sycamore.
For SRTS, staff consulted the existing City of Denton Safe Routes to School Plan. A key scoring factor is improving access to schools with a high percentage of students classified as economically disadvantaged (per the Texas Education Agency school report cards); Ginnings Elementary and Lee Elementary are ranked third and fourth, respectively, out of the twenty elementary schools in Denton for number of economically disadvantaged students. Additionally, these schools have sidewalk projects already identified by staff with cost estimates and funding allocated, which will provide for the 20% match. The proposed SRTS projects include sidewalks on Stuart Road, Audra Lane, and Mulkey Lane, in addition to added crosswalks at intersections.
TIMELINE
Applications require a Letter of Commitment from the nominating entity to fund the project. A formal resolution from City Council is required, due by April 21, 2017 at 5 p.m. Review of projects will occur between March and April, with project selection occurring in May. It is anticipated that contracts would be signed in November or December 2017, with construction being advanced within three years.
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: Safe, Liveable & Family-Friendly Community
Related Goal: 1.6 Collaborate with local, regional, state, and federal partners
EXHIBITS
1. Sycamore-Welch Connection map overview
2. Ginning Elementary School overview
3. Lee Elementary School overview
Respectfully submitted:
Mark Nelson
Transportation Director
Prepared by:
Julie Anderson
Bike & Pedestrian Coordinator