City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 7, 2022
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: YON LAMBERT, DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of Whether to Accept Virginia Department of Transportation Interstate Corridor Funds and Execute a Standard Project Agreement for I-95 Corridor Improvement Plan, Parallel Routes Project. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
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ISSUE: Should the City accept $312,000 of Interstate Corridor Funds from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to execute the I-95 Corridor Improvement Plan, Parallel Routes Project?
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council authorize the City Manager to:
1. Approve the expenditure of $312,000 of Interstate Corridor Funds, which would be fully reimbursed by VDOT;
2. Execute all documents and agreements that may be required to receive these funds; and
3. Take additional actions to allow the City to spend the money to do the work upfront and have VDOT reimburse the City for the encumbered costs, so long as the work meets VDOT’s requirements and, as may be necessary or convenient, to implement any such agreement between the City and VDOT.
BACKGROUND: VDOT contacted the City of Alexandria about participating in a 100% state funded project to help mitigate local traffic impacts caused by major incidents or emergencies on Interstate 95. This project would install equipment to measure and analyze the impacts of traffic diverting from I-95 and traveling through Alexandria.
DISCUSSION: This is a Locally Administered Project. As is standard with locally administered projects, the City will spend the money to do the work upfront and VDOT will reimburse the City for encumbered costs meeting VDOT’s requirements. The project scope is to develop a design package for four strategically located traffic cameras and provide onsite assistance for development and implementation of Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures at another four intersections along Eisenhower Avenue between Stovall Street and Mill Road. The Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures will provide metrics which will allow staff to monitor and fine tune the traffic signal operation to optimize operational efficiency. The traffic cameras and signal modifications will allow staff to monitor the impacts of traffic diversion at key locations and analyze solutions to mitigate the impacts of the traffic diversion. This allocation request covers all the phases of the project from design to construction. Project completion is anticipated in 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT: The City is responsible for initially obligating funds and will be reimbursed by VDOT for all work meeting VDOT’s requirements resulting in a zero net expenditure. Other than staff time, there is no fiscal impact because the project is funded 100% by the VDOT Interstate Corridor Fund. The project requires no match or City contribution, other than staffing. The project has been added to the finance supplemental appropriation ordinance for June 14, 2022.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Resolution
Attachment 2: VDOT Agreement
Attachment 3: Appendix A
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
Yon Lambert, Director, Department of Transportation and Environmental Services
Tarrence Moorer, Assistant Director, T&ES Internal Services
Philip Pugh, Deputy Director, T&ES Operations
Bob Garbacz, Division Chief, T&ES Traffic Operations