HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 02/21/2006 - ITEMS RELATING TO THE MASON TRANSPORTATION CORRIDO ITEM NUMBER: 25 A-B
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY DATE: February 21, 2006
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF: Kathleen Bracke
SUBJECT
Items Relating to the Mason Transportation Corridor Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail Underpass Project.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of both items.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The total cost of this project is$1,350,000 which is being jointly funded from Colorado Department
of Transportation's Congestion Mitigation&Air Quality(CMAQ) program and the Enhancement
program.
This first funding contract for$295,000 is for the initial CMAQ funding contribution to the project
which will be used to initiate the design phase. $250,000 has already been appropriated as part of
the Budgeting for Outcomes (BFO)process. This Ordinance appropriates the difference between
the estimated amount appropriated through the BFO process and the actual finalized contract with
CDOT:
Existing Requested
Contract Total Appropriations Appropriation
Federal funds $237,117 $200,000 $37,117
City's Local Match $57,883 $50,000 $7,883
Total project: $295,000 1 $250,000 1 $45,000
CDOT requires $8,592 to cover its administrative expenses associated with contract management
so that leaves $286,408 for project expenses. Transportation Planning is intending to use
Transportation Capital Reserves to cover the local match portion of this project.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A. Resolution 2006-015 Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Intergovernmental Agreement
Between the City of Fort Collins and the Colorado Department of Transportation for the
Design of the Mason Transportation Corridor Trail Underpass at the UniversityMall/Natural
February 21, 2006 -2- Item No. 25 A-B
Resources Research Center Location.
B. First Reading of Ordinance No. 029, 2006, Appropriating Revenue from the Colorado
Department of Transportation in the Transportation Fund for the Mason Bicycle/Pedestrian
Trail Underpass Project.
This funding contract between the City and the Colorado Department of Transportation(CDOT)will
allow work to begin on the design for the bicycle/pedestrian trail underpass for the Mason
Transportation Corridor, under the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks to connect the
University Mall/Whole Foods shopping center to the Natural Resources Research Center
(NRRC)/CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital campus. Subsequent funding contracts will be
submitted to the City by CDOT later this year to provide funding for the right-of-way and
construction phases of this project.
BACKGROUND
The Mason Transportation Corridor(MTC)is a five-mile north-south byway within the City of Fort
Collins which extends from Cherry Street on the north to south of Harmony Road. The corridor is
centered along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe(BNSF)Railway tracks,located a few hundred feet
west of College Avenue (U.S. 287).
The MTC is envisioned as a transportation corridor that will enhance opportunities for pedestrians,
bicyclists, and transit riders. It will also encourage infill development and provide economic
opportunities.The concept of the transportation corridor began in 1996 when citizens conceived the
MTC as one possible solution to north-south traffic congestion, as well as safe and convenient
travel.
In 1997, voters approved a capital improvement campaign that included the MTC Master Plan for
transit, bicycle, and pedestrian improvements. Subsequently, the City has been very successful in
securing over $2 million in additional grant funding from the Colorado Department of
Transportation/Federal Highway Administration and Great Outdoors Colorado to leverage local
dollars and begin implementation of the MTC bicycle/pedestrian trail system.
This underpass project will provide a critical link for the MTC bicycle/pedestrian trail system by
providing a direct and safe connection between the University Mall/Whole Foods shopping center
to the NRRC/CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital campus as well as to the residential, commercial,
retail, and employment corridor along South College Avenue/U.S. 287.
This project has been actively supported by many employees and customers of the adjacent
businesses.
The schedule for this project is for design work to be completed by mid-2007 and the right-of-way
and construction phases to be completed in 2008.
Even today,without the trail constructed,many people use the railroad corridor to travel both north
and south as well as crossing it east and west,resulting in many well-worn footpaths. Of particular
concern are the bicyclists and pedestrians who currently use worn footpaths to cross the railroad
February 21, 2006 -3- Item No. 25 A-B
tracks at the NRRC employment campus/University Mall location leading to a very unsafe condition
given the speed and frequency of the BNSF trains (8 trains per day at 40+mph). When the MTC
trail is constructed(Summer 2006),the BNSF railroad has required the installation of a 6-foot high,
wood post/rail fence covered with wire mesh in order to keep people from unlawfully crossing the
active freight line railroad tracks and its private property due to safety and liability concerns.
The nearest grade-separated bicycle/pedestrian crossing of the railroad in this area is at Spring Creek
Trail, (approximately 1/4 mile to the north). Pedestrians using the Spring Creek crossing to access
the Whole Foods/University Mall commercial area along South College Avenue/U.S. 287 are thus
forced to travel over 1/2 mile in an out-of-direction manner.
In addition,there are several segments without sidewalks along South College/U.S.287 in this area.
Bicyclists are prohibited from riding on this stretch of U.S. 287. The new underpass shortens this
trip to approximately 300 feet, giving pedestrians and cyclists direct and safe access between these
key employment and commercial areas.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Project area photo, map and graphic
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Photo • • • . 1 NRRC employment • • . • of proposed . 1 " separated 1 • " 1
crossing.trail BNSF fence will 1 " installed on the west side of the railroad, 20' from the centerline •
Project Area : Mason Transportation Corridor - University MaHINRCC Grade -Separated Crossing
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MTC Trail alignment/BNSF tracks C3 Project Area
Project area map shows the location of the proposed MTC grade separated crossing. Buildings on the west
side of the project are the NRRC employment campus and the CSU Vet medical campus. Buildings on the
east side of the project are the University Mall. Also shown on the east side of the project area are South
College Avenue/US287 and the adjacent neighborhoods.
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This image image is based on the previous conceptual design for the MTC project and depicts the layout
for the proposed grade separated trail crossing of the BNSF railroad tracks between the
University Mall and the NRRC . This project is only for the bicycle/pedestrian trail portion of these
improvements , the Bus Rapid Transit station shown above is not a part of this project proposal . It
is the City's intent to design and construct the trail crossing so that the BRT station can be
accommodated in the future .
RESOLUTION 2006-015
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS AND THE
COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE
DESIGN OF THE MASON TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR
TRAIL UNDERPASS AT THE UNIVERSITY MALL/NATURAL RESOURCES
RESEARCH CENTER LOCATION
WHEREAS, the City has secured a funding contract with the Colorado Department of
Transportation ("CDOT") for the design of the Mason Transportation Corridor bicycle/pedestrian
trail underpass at the University Mall/Natural Resources Research Center("NRRC")location,which
funding contract utilizes Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality ("CMAQ") Program and
Enhancement program funding; and
WHEREAS,the federal portion of the funding for the intergovernmental agreement is in the
amount of$237, 117 with City local matching funds in the amount of$57,883 for a total project cost
of$295,000; and
WHEREAS, the completion of this underpass project will provide a critical link for the
Mason Transportation Corridor bicycle/pedestrian trail system by providing a direct and safe
connection between the University Mall shopping center and the NRRC Campus as well as to the
residential, commercial, retail and employment corridor along South College Avenue; and
WHEREAS, this underpass project has been actively supported by many employees and
customers of the adjacent businesses along the Mason Transportation Corridor and the project is
scheduled for design work to be completed by mid-2007 and the right-of-way and construction phase
is to be completed in 2008; and
WHEREAS, the Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the citizens of the
City that the Mayor execute the intergovernmental agreement.
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS that the Mayor is hereby authorized to execute an intergovernmental agreement with the
Colorado Department of Transportation for the funding of the design of a trail underpass at the
University Mall/Natural Resources Research Center location on the Mason Transportation Corridor
Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail, which intergovernmental agreement shall provide federal funding in the
amount of$237,117 with City local matching funds in the amount of$57,883 for a total project cost
of$295,000.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 21 st
day of February, A.D. 2006.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
ORDINANCE NO. 029, 2006
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
APPROPRIATING UNANTICIPATED REVENUE IN THE
CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND - BUILDING COMMUNITY CHOICES -
MASON TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR PROJECT TO BE USED FOR DESIGN OF A
BICYCLE/PEDESTRIAN UNDERPASS
WHEREAS, on April 8, 1997, the voters of the City approved Ordinance No. 30, 1997,
authorizing the imposition of a quarter cent sales and use tax for the purpose of generating revenues
to construct certain transportation projects described in the Building Community Choices("BCC")
capital improvement program; and
WHEREAS, one such project approved for funding by the voters was the Mason
Transportation Corridor("MTC") project; and
WHEREAS, the MTC, envisioned as a transportation corridor that would enhance
opportunities for pedestrians, bicyclist, and transit riders, is a five-mile north-south byway within
the City, extending from Cherry Street on the north to approximately one-half mile south of
Harmony Road, and is centered along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway tracks, a few
hundred feet west of College Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the Colorado Department of Transportation ("CDOT") has awarded the City
a funding contract,totaling$295,000,to be used to initiate the design phase for a bicycle/pedestrian
trail underpass for the MTC,under the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks to connect the
University Mall/Whole Foods Shopping Center to the Natural Resources Research Center/Colorado
State University Teaching Hospital campus; and
WHEREAS,the aforementioned funding contract calls for CDOT to contribute$237,117 in
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality("CMAQ") dollars while the City must provide a required
local match of$57,883; and
WHEREAS, the City's 2006-2007 budget includes an appropriation, totaling $250,000 in
2006, an estimated contribution from CDOT of$200,000 and a local City match of$50,000, to be
used for design of the MTC - Bicycle/Pedestrian Underpass; and
WHEREAS,additional appropriations,totaling$45,000,are necessary to fund the difference
between the estimated cost included in the 2006 Budget ($250,000) and the contract awarded by
CDOT ($295,000); and
WHEREAS, staff recommends the additional appropriations be funded from the following
sources:
CDOT- CMAQ funds $ 37,117
General Fund - Prior Year Reserve Designated for
Transportation Capital 7.883
Total $ 45,000
WHEREAS, design work for the MTC - Bicycle/Pedestrian Underpass is scheduled to
be completed by mid-2007,with the right-of-way and construction phases to be completed by 2008;
and
WHEREAS, the total estimated cost of the underpass project is $1,350,000 with an
additional $1,000,000 included in the 2006-2007 Budget(Proposed 2007 appropriations); and
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Resolution 2006-xxx, on February 21, 2006,
authorizing the City to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with CDOT for the receipt of
CMAQ funds to be used for the design of the MTC - Bicycle/Pedestrian Underpass; and
WHEREAS, Article V, Section 9, of the Charter of the City of Fort Collins (the
"Charter")permits the City Council to make supplemental appropriations by ordinance at anytime
during the fiscal year, provided that the total amount of such supplemental appropriations, in
combination with all previous appropriations for that fiscal year,does not exceed the current estimate
of actual and anticipated revenues to be received during the fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, Article V, Section 10, of the Charter authorizes the City Council to
appropriate by ordinance during the fiscal year such funds for expenditure as may be available from
reserves accumulated in prior year, notwithstanding that such reserves were not previously
appropriated; and
WHEREAS,City staffhas determined that the appropriation ofproceeds from the CDOT
CMAQ grant as described herein will not cause the total amount appropriated in the Capital Projects
Fund - Mason Transportation Corridor project to exceed the current estimate of actual and
anticipated revenues to be received during the fiscal year; and
WHEREAS,it is the desire of the Council to appropriate the sum of$37,117 from CDOT
CMAQ funds and$7,883 from the General Fund Prior Year Reserve Designated for Transportation
Capital to be used for the design of the MTC - Bicycle/Pedestrian Underpass.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That there is hereby appropriated for expenditure from unanticipated
revenue in the Capital Projects Fund - Building Community Choices - Mason Transportation
Corridor capital project, the sum of THIRTY-SEVEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED
SEVENTEEN DOLLARS ($31,117) from Colorado Department of Transportation Congestion
Mitigation&Air Quality funds to be used for the design ofthe MTC-Bicycle/Pedestrian Underpass.
Section 2. That there is hereby appropriated from the General Fund Prior Year
Reserve Designated for Transportation Capital, the sum of SEVEN THOUSAND EIGHT
HUNDRED EIGHT-THREE DOLLARS ($7,883) for transfer to the Capital Projects Fund -
Building Community Choices - Mason Transportation Corridor capital project, and appropriated
therein, to be used for the design of the MTC - Bicycle/Pedestrian Underpass.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 21 st day of
February, A.D. 2006, and to be presented for final passage on the 7th day of March, A.D. 2006.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 7th day of March, A.D. 2006.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk