Agenda Date: 05/05/2020
Subject:
Title
Resolution 38-2020: Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Littleton and the Colorado Department of Transportation for reimbursement of costs associated with the Santa Fe Drive and Mineral Avenue Operational Improvements
Body
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Prepared by: |
Brent Thompson, City Engineer |
PURPOSE:
To approve an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Littleton and the Colorado Department of Transportation for reimbursement of costs associated with the Santa Fe Drive and Mineral Avenue Operational Improvements.
PRESENTATIONS:
Staff Presenter(s): Brent Thompson, City Engineer
Additional Presenter(s): N/A
SUMMARY:
The intersection of Santa Fe Drive and Mineral Avenue is one of the most congested and highest accident intersections in the city. Today, approximately 90,000 vehicles per day travel through the intersection. This volume is projected to increase to 120,000 vehicles per day by 2040. In the future, traffic congestion is expected to worsen as development occurs both in the immediate vicinity and throughout the region. This intersection also has one of the highest number of accidents in the city, with 59 accidents recorded in 2017.
In 2018, in response to the severe congestion and safety issues, city staff and consultants began studying the intersection to develop both short-term and long-term solutions to ease congestion. An alternatives analysis for the proposed solutions was prepared which examined five short term at-grade solutions which ranged in price from $11M to $19M, and five long term grade-separated solutions with a price tag of $90M.
Recognizing that the long-term solution may involve a grade-separated interchange that has a steep price tag, staff has endeavored to identify solutions that can be implemented for a lower cost and in a shorter timeframe. To that end, in 2019, staff submitted a grant application for the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) administered by DRCOG for an interim solution. The city was successful in receiving $9.1M in grant funding for this project, which requires a $2.2M local match.
Throughout 2019, city staff and consultants continued to refine the traffic modeling and worked with stakeholders to finalize details of the intersection study. In November 2019, the final Santa Fe & Mineral Intersection Study was completed. This study concluded that the single quadrant road alternatives should be pursued first as the most viable solution.
PRIOR ACTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS:
This project has been discussed with city council at study sessions in the past.
On January 22, 2019, Public Works Director Keith Reester presented options for both short-term and long-term solutions for the Santa Fe Drive and Mineral Avenue intersection. The overview outlined the status of the work completed thus far and sought City Council guidance on action steps. Council concurred with proceeding to seek TIP funding for an interim solution.
On July 23, 2019, Public Works Director Keith Reester provided an overview and update on transportation options for the Santa Fe Drive and Mineral Avenue intersection. Through a detailed technical analysis, the quadrant road concept was selected as the preferred alternative for the interim solution. Staff submitted the interim solution project for TIP grant funding and was successful in receiving $9.1M in funding, which requires $2.2M in local match. Council was supportive of continuing to pursue construction of the interim solution.
ANALYSIS:
Staff Analysis
The conclusion of the November 2019 Santa Fe & Mineral Intersection Study was that the single quadrant road alternatives should be pursued first as the most viable solution. Staff has been working with project stakeholders, including CDOT, RTD, and private property owners, to undertake conceptual design and study of the quadrant road concept at the southwest corner of the Santa Fe Drive and Mineral Avenue intersection. This project will change the way the intersection operates, removing left turns from the signal phasing at Santa Fe and Mineral, and allowing more time for through movements which modeling shows will reduce congestion and reduce the number of rear-end accidents. This project will provide the capacity improvements currently needed at this intersection, as well as the future capacity needs as a mix of residential, retail, restaurant and office uses are built adjacent to the project.
Construction of the southwest quadrant road will require dedication of right-of-way from the property owner at the southwest corner of the intersection.
Staff will continue to partner with RTD on the concept of the northwest quadrant road. Together, both quadrant roads could provide for efficient operations in this area for 10-15 years based on current growth projections. The quadrant roads also set the stage well for constructability of a long-term future grade separated interchange at Santa Fe Drive and Mineral Avenue.
This intersection operational improvement project is advancing work that will be a likely outcome of the US 85 Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study currently underway. The intersection project and the PEL are significant steps forward in aligning community needs with public improvements necessary in the Santa Fe Drive corridor. Littleton is uniquely positioned for these projects having recently completed the Envision Littleton Comprehensive Plan and Transportation Master Plan projects. The two plans will help the city to clearly enunciate our community goals and community character as part the of process.
It is in the city’s best interests to accept the grant funding to improve mobility in the community and to budget for the additional funding needed for the local match. A policy direction on future funding alternatives is critical to the current and future acquisition of grants and derivative city projects. Staff has worked with CDOT to finalize the details of this Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA).
If council approves this resolution, staff will proceed with hiring a consultant to prepare a final design in 2022. Construction of the project is anticipated for 2023/2024.
Council Goal, Objective, and/or Guiding Principle
This project fulfils numerous goals and objectives outlined in the Transportation Master Plan, and in particular Objective 12: Provide a reliable and high-quality transportation system. The project also supports Council Goal 2: Financial Sustainability/Objective 5: Identifying, assessing and prioritizing funding for capital needs by leveraging grant funds through CDOT.
Fiscal Impacts
The cost estimate for the Santa Fe Drive and Mineral Avenue Operational Improvements project is $11,440,000. The grant provides for 80% federal funding ($9,152,000) and 20% local agency match ($2,288,000). Funding for the city’s match on this project will be funded from the Transportation Impact Fund. Currently, this fund has an adequate fund balance to support funding the first year of the project for preliminary design in 2020 ($220,000). Funding for the balance ($2,068,000) spread out over multiple years will have to be addressed this fall in the development of city’s 5-year plan for the Capital Project Fund.
The state of Colorado, DRCOG, and all transportation partners are adapting to the current COVID-19 situation, funding timelines or project participation considerations may change but those policy decisions will involve future direction from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and CDOT. If changes occur the city will work with CDOT to amend this IGA as appropriate.
Alternatives
Should this agreement not be approved, the city would not be able to fund this project on its own. Leveraging grant funds for safety and congestion mitigation projects such as this is critical. Forgoing this opportunity would put Littleton at a significant disadvantage in attaining community goals related to transportation, economic development, and quality of life. Turning down the funds would also put Littleton at significant disadvantage in competing for future transportation funding that is available through CDOT and DRCOG.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the Intergovernmental Agreement.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve the resolution authorizing the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Littleton and the Colorado Department of Transportation for reimbursement of costs associated with the Santa Fe Drive and Mineral Avenue Operational Improvements.