City of Alexandria, Virginia
________________
MEMORANDUM
DATE: NOVEMBER 20, 2024
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: ADRIANA CASTAÑEDA, DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution to Support a Grant Application to the Virginia Department of Transportation for the FY 2026 State of Good Repair Program. [ROLL-CALL VOTE].
BODY
_________________________________________________________________
ISSUE: Consideration of a Resolution to submit an application for a competitive grant to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for the FY 2026 State of Good Repair (SGR) Locality-Owned Bridge Program for funding up to $2,000,000 for planned capital maintenance and repairs.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Approve a Resolution (Attachment 1) to support an application for up to $2,000,000 through the VDOT SGR Locality-Owned Bridge Program for capital maintenance and repair of Duke Street Bridge over Holmes Run;
2. Authorize the City Manager to submit this Resolution and enter into any agreements with VDOT that may be required to receive these funds should the requested allocation be approved.
BACKGROUND: VDOT provides grant funding for repairs, rehabilitation, or replacement of bridges in poor condition (otherwise known as structurally deficient) or replacement of damaged or deteriorated elements to mitigate future deterioration and prolong the life of the bridge structure in fair condition through its State of Good Repair Locality-Owned Bridge Program. This funding is available for bridges maintained by VDOT and those that are locally maintained/owned. Allocation of funding is need-based. The funding is intended to supplement the current level of funding by localities. No local match is required.
In FY 2021, the SGR Program became federalized, requiring contracts to adhere to all federal procurement requirements. All projects that receive funding must be underway (with construction contracts awarded) within 12 months of approval or be subject to deallocation.
DISCUSSION: In the past, only bridges rated as poor or lower were eligible for the funds. However, in FY 2025, VDOT added bridges in fair condition to the SGR Locality-Owned Program for bridges. The City currently does not have bridges rated poor or lower, so this is the first year the City has bridges meeting the eligibility requirements for this program.
The bridges eligible for funding are identified by VDOT through the Bridge Condition Reports submitted to VDOT by the City and are assigned SGR scores. Staff compared the VDOT SGR scores with the City’s Bridge Repairs CIP program for FY 2025 through FY 2034. Based on VDOT parameters for this grant, staff identified Duke Street over Holmes Run bridge in most need of rehabilitation to preserve and extend the life of the structure, and thus being an eligible candidate to compete for this grant. The cost of the selected bridge aligns with our current FY 2026 capital improvement program. This grant will allow the City to continue implementing the remainder of the capital improvement plan.
FISCAL IMPACT: SGR Program projects do not require a local match. The application reflects the estimated project cost up to $2,000,000. Funding from this grant will allow the City to repair this bridge with bridge maintenance funds and be eligible for reimbursement of the costs.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, P.E., Deputy City Manager
Lalit Sharma, P.E., Deputy Director, Engineering and Right of Way, T&ES
Alicia Wright, Acting Assistant Director, Administrative Services, T&ES
Mary A. Winston, Division Chief, Street and Sewer Maintenance Division, T&ES
Lisa Jaatinen, Civil Engineer IV, Street and Sewer Maintenance Division, T&ES