HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 03/08/2011 - TRANSPORTATION UPDATE: 2011 STREET MAINTENANCE AN DATE: March 8, 2011 WORK SESSION ITEM
STAFF: Karen Cumbo FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL
Pre-taped staff presentation: available
at fcgov.com/clerk/agendas.php
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Transportation Update: 2011 Street Maintenance and Capital Projects.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The infusion of new funding from Keep Fort Collins Great (2B), combined with existing revenues
and new grant awards,has created opportunities for increased transportation maintenance and capital
construction projects. This funding allows the City to address many long overdue maintenance,
safety and capacity needs on roads, intersections, bridges, sidewalks and bike lanes. This
presentation provides an overview of transportation maintenance and capital projects scheduled for
2011.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
This presentation is intended to be an informational update. Staff is not necessarily seeking
feedback to specific questions, but would welcome comments and will address any questions that
arise from the presentation materials.
1. Does Council have any questions regarding information presented in this update?
2. Does Council need additional information regarding the scheduled construction and
maintenance projects?
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Warm weather always brings more road construction and maintenance activity to the community.
This year will be very busy for Transportation. Thanks to the infusion of funds from Keep Fort
Collins Great (2B) and new grant awards, combined with ongoing funding resources, the City of
Fort Collins' Transportation departments are now in a position to address several badly needed
improvements. Citizens will see a greatly increased investment in our transportation infrastructure.
Linking Our Plans to Action
Council recently adopted Plan Fort Collins,including the Transportation Master Plan,Master Street
Plan and Pedestrian Plan. Combined with other recently adopted vision plans such as the Transfort
Strategic Operating Plan and Bicycle Plan, these documents set forth the community's vision as to
how its transportation system and programs will evolve and improve over time.
March 8, 2011 Page 2
In Fort Collins, these vision Plans inform how projects are selected and built, and where priorities
are placed. The Transportation Capital Improvements Program(contained within the Transportation
Master Plan) is a best practices tool that helps staff identify and prioritize maintenance and capital
projects schedule. This is key to getting the most value and best results with available resources.
Existing Funding Sources
Council has received several presentations in prior years as to how transportation and transit services
are funded in Fort Collins. These services are funded primarily from a combination of ongoing
federal, state, and county sources,including fuel tax,vehicle related taxes and registration fees,and
County road and bridge levy funds. While revenues have rebounded somewhat from 2008 and 2009
levels,many of these traditional sources are struggling and can no longer be considered sustainable
in the long tern. Other transportation funding sources include:
• The City's General Fund helps cover the local share of costs for the Street Oversizing
(transportation impact) Program. Transfort receives General Fund dollars to supplement
fares and federal funding.
• The Building on Basics (BOB)quarter cent sales tax helps fund critical street maintenance
needs as well as Bike and Pedestrian Plan projects. BOB funds have also been used to help
make critical capital improvements such as W. Harmony road and North College.
• Many transportation projects are made possible through state and federal funds passed
along to Fort Collins through the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization
(MPO)
• Finally, many smaller projects that are often safety related or that deal with bicycle and
pedestrian system improvements are funded through grants secured by staff.
These grant funds and state and federal resources allow the City to stretch and leverage local dollars
as much as possible.
New Funding Sources
For the first time in many years, the City is in a much better position to maintain and improve
transportation infrastructure investment. Thanks to the support of the community with last
November's successful Keep Fort Collins Great(213)initiative,the City will invest an additional$9
million dollars or more each year to meet the Community's transportation needs. Keep Fort Collins
Great (KFCG) funds add:
• An additional$6.1 million dedicated for street maintenance. Combined with current funding
levels there is now over$13 million per year to invest in maintaining roads, sidewalks, and
bicycle facilities.
• An additional$3.1 million for transportation and Transfort services,programs and projects.
In addition to the Keep Fort Collins Great funding, the North Front Range MPO's Call for Projects
is nearing completion,where state and federal funds such as CMAQ and STP-Metro are distributed
to Fort Collins and other regional agencies. Staff hopes to soon announce that several new Fort
Collins transportation and transit projects are receiving funds. The MPO Council will make its
decision on March 3.
March 8, 2011 Page 3
The-Engineering Department-has received federal bridge system grants for the two highest priority
bridge projects in the City. These awards free up a significant portion of the 2011 and 2012 Keep
Fort Collins Great monies dedicated to these specific bridge projects. PDT staff will return to
Council this spring to discuss how to reallocate the Keep Fort Collins Great funds freed up by these
grants for other transportation needs.
Finally, Transportation Planning has received Energy Efficient Community Block Grants to fund
new bicycle projects such as the pilot Bike Box project near CSU, as well as the Mountain Avenue
Bicycle Road Markings project.
These new funding sources, when combined with ongoing funding, are nothing short of a"game
changer" for the City's transportation and transit programs. After several years of budget cutbacks
and compromise, the City is now in a position to make up for lost time and opportunities.
Street Maintenance
The addition of over$6.1 million per year in Keep Fort Collins Great funds has nearly doubled the
resources available to maintain City roads and sidewalks. While this additional funding is,a
tremendous help and is greatly appreciated, it still does not totally meet and solve all the projected
long term needs. It does,however, allow the City to maintain roads at a Good Level of Service for
a longer period of time. As more roads are built and incorporated into the system, and as inflation
increases costs, it will eventually become more difficult to maintain the City's LOS B goal.
The Street Maintenance Program(SMP)staff is analyzing road maintenance needs and strategically
selecting projects that will maximize the City's investments and meet the highest priority needs.
SMP staff use state-of-the-art pavement analysis tools and software to inventory and study road
conditions for all City streets, to decide which projects are slated for maintenance treatments each
year, and to determine which type of treatment would be most effective.
This year, citizens will see an increased emphasis on routine,preventative maintenance. The goal
is to keep the City's good roads in good condition for as long as possible. Roads in very poor
condition (beyond routine maintenance help) will be addressed as major, maintenance or
reconstruction projects.
Projects Scheduled for 2011
The Street Maintenance Program has scheduled many projects throughout the community in 2011.
Some are large projects that will affect busy arterial roads for several weeks. There will also be
overlay improvement projects in neighborhoods that may make it hard.to move around for a few
days. Citizens will also notice a great deal of routine maintenance activity such as filling potholes
and sealing cracks to extend the pavement's life.
Major Street Maintenance projects occurring on busy arterials roads this year include:
• An asphalt overlay planned for College Avenue in the downtown area. Improvements from
Mulberry to LaPorte will be made at night to minimize daytime congestion and conflicts ,
with activity in the downtown area. This project is done in partnership with the Colorado
Department of Transportation (CDOT), and is scheduled for mid-May through early June.
March 8, 2011 Page 4
PDT staff is working closely with downtown businesses and residents to minimize confusion
and headaches throughout this and other downtown area projects.
• Horsetooth Road, from College Avenue to Timberline Road will receive long overdue
repairs and overlay treatment. This completes the Horsetooth Road repairs and maintenance
begun in 2010.
• Lemay Avenue from Harmony to Horsetooth,will complete repairs and overlay work begun
in 2010. This is the last leg of improvements scheduled on Lemay Avenue.
• Shields Street, from Horsetooth to Harmony Road, will receive Hot In Place maintenance
treatments.
There are also several neighborhood road overlay projects scheduled this year. These projects can
be seen in the Street Maintenance Program project map (see Attachment 1), or online at
www.fcgov.com/streets.
Engineering Capital Projects
Transportation capital construction projects address needed safety and capacity improvements to
roads, bridges, sidewalks and intersections. These improvements benefit all users of the system,
including:
• Motorists (road and intersection improvements, traffic signals, signs and striping)
• Pedestrians (intersection safety improvements, new sidewalks, ramps and signals)
• Bicyclists (bike lanes, improved road markings)
• Transfort is also investing in its transit fleet, replacing older high mileage buses with new
vehicles that use cleaner fuels such as compressed natural gas.
Several transportation capital projects are scheduled for 2011. These improvements include bridges,
intersections, I-25 Interchange at SH-392 (Carpenter Road), and road projects.
Bridges
The City's two highest priority bridge projects will be addressed in 2011:
• LaPorte and Whitcomb bridge replacement. This is the worst rated bridge in the City, and
is currently load (weight) restricted.
• South Shields bridge just south of Rolland Moore Drive.
These bridge projects are scheduled for late fall after the ditches they cross stop running for the
season.
March 8, 2011 Page 5
Intersections
Two intersection improvement projects are scheduled for 2011. The intersections of Harmony and
Lemay, and Lemay and Drake will receive improvements. The projects will add turn lane
improvements at these high traffic locations, improving safety and mobility. Engineering staff is
also prioritizing other intersection needs for 2012 and beyond. That effort will be completed later
this year and will determine the intersection improvement schedule for 2012 and beyond.
I-25 Interchange at SH-392 (Carpenter Road)
A very large project slated to begin in the summer of 2011 is the reconstruction of the I-25
interchange at SH-392 (Carpenter Rd). This is a collaborative regional effort with the Colorado
Department of Transportation and the Town of Windsor. $22.5 million in federal and state funds
were awarded by CDOT to construct the project. Windsor and Fort Collins will each contribute to
the $5 million local share. All three agencies have worked closely together since 2008 on the
planning, design, and financing to make this project become reality.
This is a key gateway project for both Fort Collins and Windsor, and addresses safety and mobility
issues. The interchange is aging and can no longer adequately handle regional traffic volumes
experienced now and forecast in the future.
Road Projects
Two important road and streetscape improvement projects will move forward in 2011:
• The North College Improvements project continues the current phase of improvements
presently underway. This project will make curb, gutter, sidewalk, bike lane and access
safety improvements on this important northern Fort Collins gateway. The project will also
improve the streetscape and parkway along this portion of North College. The current
project budget allows for improvements from Vine Drive north to Hemlock, with some
safety improvements at College and Conifer. Additional project funds are being sought to
complete the project to Conifer.
• The Linden Streetscape project will make streetscape improvements along Linden Street
from Jefferson Street to the Poudre River. It is funded primarily through state_and federal
grants, BOB funds, and local Downtown Development Authority contributions. Currently,
there is very little in the way of streetscape infrastructure in this area. This project will make
several improvements including:
o Curb and gutter
o Parking areas
o Sidewalk and bike lanes
o Streetscape design
o This portion of Linden Street will be repaved as part of these overall improvements.
PDT is working closely with the Utilities department on this effort. Utilities is beginning to make
stormwater and drainage improvements along Linden Street in this area. PDT and Utilities are
March 8, 2011 Page 6
coordinating communication and construction efforts to help residents and businesses near the
affected area.
Traffic Operations Projects
Traffic Operations is responsible for the traffic signal system, as well as signs and pavement
markings. Its mission is to provide safe and efficient traffic movement throughout the community.
Improving safety and mobility does more than make it easier to drive,bike and walk in Fort Collins;
it also improves air quality caused by congestion delays.
Traffic Operations projects in 2011 include:
• Traffic signal upgrades at several locations
• Reconfiguring the lanes and markings along West LaPorte Avenue from Howes Street to
Wood Street to better manage traffic flow and safety for autos, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
This project has been referred to as the LaPorte "Road Diet".
• Improving downtown area signage and way finding
• Neighborhood traffic mitigation ("traffic calming")
Transit Capital Projects
Capital projects are not limited to just asphalt and concrete. Transit considers buses(rolling stock)
as capital. Through state and regional grant funding,Transfort is able to gradually replace its older,
high mileage diesel bus fleet with cleaner Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses. Upgrading the
Transfort fleet goes beyond the benefit of cleaner fuel vehicles. Older buses require much more
frequent and costly maintenance. The new buses will save a significant amount of money in
maintenance and repair costs.
Transfort is purchasing four CNG buses this year using funds from the Congestion Mitigation and
Air Quality (CMAQ) grant awarded in 2010. In addition, Transfort was awarded Federal Transit
Administration funds to purchase an additional three additional CNG buses in 2011.
Mason Corridor Projects
Work is proceeding on the Mason Corridor project this year. Staff is currently finalizing agreements
with the BNSF railroad.and Federal Transit Administration that will allow the project to move
forward in earnest. There will be several early phase projects taking place in 2011, including:
• Work will begin on the conversion of Mason Street (in the downtown area) to two-way
traffic.
• Conduit work in anticipation of Mason Corridor signalization and information systems.
• Right-of-way(ROW) acquisition
• Design work is proceeding on the new South Transit Center,to be located south of Harmony
Road at the south trail head of the Mason Trail. Construction could possibly begin later this
year.
March 8, 2011 Page 7
Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects
Fort Collins has become nationally recognized for embracing bicycle travel as a viable travel mode
and culture. The recent passage of updated Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plans only strengthens
that commitment. Some specific examples of bicycle and pedestrian projects the community will
see this year include:
• Upgraded pedestrian "hybrid signals" for safer crossings. These crossings are similar to
those installed last year on West Harmony and on Horsetooth Road
• Improvement to the Power Trail road crossings
• Downtown General Improvement District improvements to sidewalks in need or repair
• New"Bike Box" markings near CSU for improved bicycle safety
• Adoption of the Bicycle Safety Education Plan and enhanced bicycle safety and education
programs for cyclists of all ages and skills
Regional Coordination and Partnerships
It is important to note that staff has a long history of working closely with regional partners to
maximize improvements and leverage available resources.
There are several examples of successful project partnerships currently underway, including:
• I-25/SH-392 Interchange Improvements (Windsor, CDOT)
• Vine and Shields intersection (Larimer County)
• Downtown College Avenue Paving Project(CDOT)
• Linden Streetscape Project (CDOT, MPO, DDA)
• FLEX Regional Transit (City of Loveland, Town of Berthoud, Boulder County, City of
Longmont)
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Education Coalition (PVH, Loveland, CSU, local bicycle and
pedestrian advocates)
Partnerships and collaboration are not just limited to projects. Shared gains are also realized through
ongoing partnerships such as shared maintenance agreements for traffic signals and snow removal.
In addition, City staff also works closely with Larimer County, Loveland, and CDOT staffs to
coordinate their respective project schedules. This helps avoid duplication of efforts, inadvertent
conflicts, and helps identify areas for shared resources.
Community Communication
The projects discussed in this presentation will no doubt affect commutes, favorite routes and
neighborhoods. Staff understands the difficulties and inconvenience these types of construction
projects can cause. PDT is committed to minimizing frustration by getting the word out through
effective communication tools and strategy. The value of effective communications was made
evident by the success of 2010's award winning College-Harmony Intersection Project (CHIP).
March 8, 2011 Page 8
Strategic communications plans for major projects will include the use of such tools as:
• FC Trip (www.fcgov.com/fctrip)
• project websites and email distribution lists
• Channel 14 informational tapings
• City Utility billing insert articles
• Traditional media releases and articles
• Social Media (Facebook, Twitter) for"real time" news
• Variable Message Signs (VMS) near construction zones
• Door-to-door contact
Summary
PDT staff from Engineering, Streets, Traffic Operations, Transfort, and Transportation Planning
thank the Council and the Community for their trust and support with current and new funding
support. Staff is very grateful and will work hard to meet these high expectations. The
transportation departments are committed to quality projects and repairs.
PDT staff will work hard to minimize confusion and inconvenience as a result of the construction
through effective and ongoing communication with the media and the community. While it may
be a little tough for people this year when encountering cone zones and construction sites, we ask
for patience and understanding. Remember, when all the dust has cleared and improvements have
been made, it will be well worth the investment.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Map: 2011 Street Maintenance Program Projects
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Street Maintenance Glossary
Concrete Preparation : A concrete contractor will repair all of the concrete in
the selected area and install temporary asphalt patching . Depending on the
project area , weather and budget , permanent concrete patching and / or
asphalt repairs may be installed in the same year or the next year .
Grind/Overlay : Removal of all asphalt down to the underlying subgrade soils ,
followed by an installation of 2 to 3 inches of new asphalt surface .
HAC Overlay - Hot Applied Chip Overlay : A two - phase surface treatment in
which a chip seal is first applied followed with a 5 / 8 " asphalt overlay installed
with an asphalt paving machine .
HIP - Hot - in - Place Recycling : A cost effective asphalt recycling process in
which the existing asphalt is heated and removed , the old asphalt is
rejuvenated with new oil , mixed , and placed back on the same road and
simultaneously topped with new hot mix asphalt . Used on arterial and collector
roads where asphalt failures are primarily on the surface .
Reclamite Surface Treatment : A liquid petroleum mixture that reconstitutes
and prolongs the life of asphalt pavement surfaces . Applied as a liquid ,
Reclamite will penetrate the pavement surface and restore flexibility and
durability .
Slurry Seal : A mixture of 3 / 8 " aggregate , water , and asphaltic oil that is
placed on a roadway to seal the surface and extend the life of the existing
asphalt .
ATTACHMENT 2
Transportation Update
"Making it Happen in 2011 "
March 8 , 2011
Karen Cumbo
Planning , Development & Transportation Director
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Objectives/ Presentation Overview
• Implementing Our Plans LW
• Existing & New Funding Sources
• Street Maintenance Projects
Construction Projects ( Multi - Modal ) Li I
• Regional Coordination 0 °
Community Communication
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Questions for Council
• Does Council have any questions regarding this
update ?
• Do you need additional information regarding
scheduled construction and maintenance
projects ?
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• 2011 will be a very busy season
— Increased construction & maintenance
• A new opportunity to make up for lost time !
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Implementing Our Plans
Council adopted Plan Fort Collins
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Coordinated , Strategic Implementation
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Existing Funding Sources
• Ongoing Transportation Revenues -
- HUTF fuel tax
— Vehicle ownership tax & registration funds
— Road & bridge levy
— FASTER
• General Fund
— Street Oversizing
— Transfort
• Building on Basics ( BOB) quarter cent tax
• MPO Project Funding
• Grants
Fort Collins
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3
New Funding Sources
• Keep Fort Collins Great ( KFCG ) Funds -
- Over $9 million more per year for Transportation
• Additional $ 6 million for Street Maintenance
• Approximately $ 3 . 1 million for transportation
capital and programs
• MPO Project Funding (pending)
• Bridge Grants
• Energy Efficient Community Block Grants
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Street Maintenance Program
• KFCG funds nearly double the program
• Allows street maintenance at LOS B Goal
• Strategic project selection
• Increased focus on routine and preventative
maintenance
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Street Maintenance Program
2011 Planned Projects
• Big Projects :
— N College Downtown Overlay i
— Horsetooth , College—Timberline
— Shields Street, Harmony- Horsetooth
— Lemay, Harmony-Horsetooth
• Scheduled Neighborhood Projects '
• Routine maintenance
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Capital Projects
• Safety and capacity improvements :
— Bridges
— Intersections
— Roads
— Interchange
• Not just streets - Improvements for all modes
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Capital Projects = Bridges
High priority bridge projects in 2011 :
. S . Shields bridge over LC Canal #2
• Just south of Rolland Moore Park
. Laporte -Whitcomb bridge replacement
• Worst rated bridge in Fort Collins
• Load restricted
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Capital Projects = Intersections
• Addressing Safety & Capacity issues
• Key locations for Turn Lanes :
. Harmony & Lemay
. Drake & Lemay
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Capital Projects — 1 -25/SH -392 Interchange
1 -25 & SH -392 Interchange Improvements
— Fort Collins , Windsor & CDOT partnership
— $ 22 . 5M in State & Fed funds ; $ 5M Local Share
— Construction begins summer 2011
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Capital Projects - Roads
North College Improvements , Vine to Hemlock , Conifer
— Curb , gutter, sidewalk , bike lane , and access safety
improvements
— Key Gateway for north Fort Collins
— Parkway & Streetscape
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Capital Projects - Roads
Linden Streetscape Project , Jefferson to Poudre River
— Curb & gutter, parking , bike & ped .
— Intersection improvements
— Streetscape
— First project
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Traffic Operations Projects
• Efficient & safe traffic movement
• Reduce congestion & improve air quality
• 2011 projects include : f
— Traffic signal upgrades -
- Laporte road "diet"
— Downtown way-finding
— Neighborhood traffic mitigation
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Capital Projects = Transit
Replacing our aging , diesel bus fleet
— Grants for new CNG Buses
• CMAQ 2010 funding - 4 buses
• FTA State of Good Repair funding - 3 buses
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Capital Projects - Mason Corridor
Work is proceeding on the Mason Corridor this year :
• Mason Street (downtown ) 2 -way conversion
• Conduit work
• ROW acquisition
• New South Transit Center
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Bicycle & Pedestrian Projects
• Improving Safety and Comfort for bikes & pedestrians
— Pedestrian Hybrid Signals
— Improvement to Power Trail Road Crossings
— Downtown GID sidewalk improvements
— " Bike Boxes" near CSU
— Bike Safety & Education
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Regional Coordination & Partnerships
On -going Partnerships :
— Colorado Department of Transportation
— Larimer County
Project partnerships -
- 1 -25 & SH -392 Interchange (Windsor, CDOT )
— Vine & Shields Intersection ( Larimer County )
— Downtown College Ave . Paving Project ( CDOT )
— FLEX Regional Transit ( City of Loveland )
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Community Communication
Commitment to Effective Messaging
• FC Trip
• Project websites
• Channel 14
• Billing inserts
• Social Media ( Facebook , Twitter)
• Variable Message Signs (VMS )
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Summary
* Citizens support for Keep Fort Collins Great
* Quality projects & Repairs
* Committed to Communication
* Minimize Construction Impacts
*Worthwhile Investment in Community
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Questions for Council
• Does Council have any questions regarding this
update ?
• Do you need additional information regarding
scheduled construction and maintenance
projects ?
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Transportation Update
"Making it Happen in 2011 "
March 8th , 2011
Karen Cumbo
Planning , Development & Transportation Director
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