City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MARCH 4, 2015
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, ACTING CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
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Consideration of a Resolution for a Competitive Grant Application to the Virginia Department of Transportation for Primary Extension Improvement Program Funding. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
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ISSUE: Consideration of a resolution for a competitive grant application to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for funding in the amount of $940,000 for the resurfacing of primary route extensions.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that City Council (1) adopt the attached resolution (Attachment 1) to apply for a FY2016 Primary Extension Improvement Program funding allocation for $940,000 from VDOT for the resurfacing of City-maintained primary route extensions; and (2) authorize the City Manager to submit this resolution and enter into any agreements with the State that may be required to receive these funds should the requested allocation be approved.
BACKGROUND: The 2014 General Assembly modified Section 33.1-23.1 of the Code of Virginia so that Primary Extensions maintained by municipalities could receive a portion of maintenance funds previously available only to Interstates and Primary Roads. Primary Extensions are routes maintained by municipalities that carry a primary route number for continuity; in Alexandria, examples include Duke Street (Route 236) and Van Dorn (Route 401).
Because VDOT estimates that approximately 55% of primary roads in Northern Virginia localities are deficient, the new funds have been made available to such routes with a critical condition index (CCI) of less than 60. This VDOT-specific score is consistent with the City's Pavement Condition Index (PCI) which was developed as part of a citywide survey in 2013. The new funding is also intended to supplement (not replace) the current level of funding by localities. No match is required.
DISCUSSION: Primary Extension Improvement Program funding is intended to provide funds for immediately needed improvements or to supplement funding for existing projects. The maximum award per locality for this program is $1 million and the amount available statewide in FY2015 is $4.8 million. Because VDOT expects to receive more applications than available funding, the agency will likely use a formula to determine award amounts resulting in awards of less than $1 million per applicant. Additionally, VDOT has indicated that it plans to rate applications, giving the most weight to the CCI of each street followed by traffic volume. Streets currently proposed by the City which meet VDOT requirements are all major arterials/primaries that require significant investment (more than $100,000 each) to resurface.
In June 2014 Council approved the application for the VDOT FY2015 Primary Extension Improvement Program in the amount of $940,000. As the VDOT funding was limited, the three road sections Alexandria applied for were not approved and no funding was received. The three roads, however, did score well in the review process and are thus proposed for resubmission by staff. The streets include:
· Duke St. from N. Quaker L. to S. Jordan St. (VDOT CCI of 44, City PCI of 40, Estimated resurfacing cost of $520,000)
· N. Van Dorn St. from Seminary Rd. to Menokin Dr. (VDOT CCI of 38, City PCI of 41, Estimated resurfacing cost of $250,000)
· S. Van Dorn St. from S. Pickett St. to Edsall Rd. (VDOT CCI of 34, City PCI of 45, Estimated resurfacing cost $170,000)
· Total funds: $940,000
Primary Extension Improvement Program funding would be in addition to the VDOT Revenue Sharing Program to which the City will be submitting an application later this year.
FISCAL IMPACT: The application reflects a request for $940,000 in State revenues to supplement the City's CIP funding for major street resurfacing. The existing FY2015-2024 Capital Improvement Program includes a planned amount of $3,975,000 in FY2016 which would be dedicated to this project. Receiving this additional $940,000 in VDOT funding would allow the acceleration of other streets within the proposed three year paving schedule.
ATTACHMENT:
Proposed Resolution
STAFF:
Emily Baker, P.E., Acting Deputy City Manager
Yon Lambert, AICP, Acting Director, Transportation and Environmental Services
Christopher Bever, Assistant Budget Director, Office of Management and Budget
Jeffrey DuVal, Acting Deputy Director, T&ES