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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 9/30/2014 - Memorandum From Jeff Mihelich, Karen Cumbo, Rick Richter And Dean Klingner Re: Lemay Avenue Realignment And Vine And Lemay Intersection Improvements UpdateEAST VINE/LEMAY INTERSECTION REALIGNMENT PROJECT DEVELOPMENT REPORT PREPARED FOR PREPARED BY EAST VINE/LEMAY INTERSECTION REALIGNMENT PROJECT DEVELOPMENT REPORT SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 PREPARED FOR CITY OF FORT COLLINS 281 NORTH COLLEGE AVENUE FORT COLLINS, CO 80524 970-221-6376 PREPARED BY AECOM 717 17TH STREET, SUITE 2600 DENVER, CO 80202 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Project Description The Lemay Avenue realignment and intersection improvements would construct a new arterial facility and intersection slightly to the east of the existing Lemay Avenue alignment. This realignment allows for a number of interim and ultimate solutions that include new at-grade intersections or overpass/underpass of the railroad and existing E. Vine Drive. The realignment relieves several issues that currently constrain the existing alignment and intersection, which allows for the major project improvements and benefits to be achieved. Project Improvements and Benefits The project will address the following primary needs: Safety: The project will improve safety and reduce risks for pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles and the railroad. The existing crossing intersection has averaged thirteen crashes per year between 2010 and 2012 and does not fully comply with new safety standards for crossings with vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. Neighborhood Connectivity: The project will improve multi-modal and neighborhood connectivity by establishing safer and more connected pedestrian/cyclist options and by providing an appropriately scaled roadway network and access points that are less impacted by heavier arterial traffic. Traffic Congestion: The project will reduce traffic delays that significantly impacts mobility when trains are operating at the existing crossing. Previous Planning Efforts that Provide Basis for Project  City Plan (various versions)  Transportation Master Plan (various versions)  City of Fort Collins Master Street Plan  Northside Neighborhoods Plan (2005)  Mountain Vista Sub-Area Plan (2010) Project Planning The intersection improvements and realignment of Lemay Avenue at East Vine Drive is a vital capital improvement project resulting from and evolving through decades of planning efforts that address the existing infrastructure deficiencies, neighborhood impacts and future demands of a growing community. The realignment of Lemay Avenue first appeared on the City’s Master Street Plan in the early 1980s. Subsequent planning efforts have confirmed and refined the concept. Project Alternatives Three alternatives have been identified through a scoping process with an initial overview of alternative characteristics and screening. Preliminary scoping includes constructability, costs, potential environmental impacts, and improving neighborhood connectivity. Preliminary Alternatives Scoping Summary Realigned Lemay - At Grade Realigned Lemay - Overpass Realigned Lemay - Underpass Primary Elements Creates Realigned Lemay and a segment of proposed New Vine to current Arterial Standards, relocating intersection away from BNSF Crossing. Removes existing at-grade crossing, constructing New Lemay crossing to current safety standards Removes existing at-grade crossing, constructing a New Lemay overpass bridge over BNSF and existing E. Vine. Removes existing at-grade crossing, constructing a New Lemay underpass with bridges for BNSF and existing E. Vine. Permitting and Approval Risks PUC approvals for new at- grade crossing uncertain. BNSF approvals required and will likely require relocation of switching yard. General PUC and BNSF approvals required. Removes at-grade crossing risk. General PUC and BNSF approvals required. Removes at-grade crossing risk, but may be disruptive to BNSF operations. Environmental Considerations General noise and construction impacts Noise and visual impacts to Developer Local Street Portion , $1.45* City Street Oversizing Portion , $5.16 M** Additional Funding Required, $17.99 M Scenario Example: At-Grade Funding * Timing of funds/cash flow issue if project precedes development. ** Timing of funds/cash flow issue due to size of contribution required from this source. Funding The project could use a combination of local and federal funding sources: • Local: Sources include the potential future City sales tax for capital projects, developer street frontage obligations and street oversizing. • Federal: Sources include the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) or Surface Transportation Program (STP), TIGER Discretionary Grant Program, and/or EDA Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs. Funding Scenario Example: The Realigned Lemay At-Grade Alternative Cost and Funding: • Cost between $24 to $25 million. • Funding approach could rely entirely on City funds as federal funds may be unreliable. • The project could advance prior to full funding by advancing project design and development while other financing options for construction could be explored, such as bonds backed by sales tax revenues or federal program applications. Project Development Next Steps The next step in the process is to begin a more thorough data collection, preliminary design and funding evaluations that will address the following key questions: • Is the added long-term cost/benefit of realignment and grade separation necessary to address anticipated 2035 congestion and delay, or could a realignment and at-grade intersection be sufficient as a near-term solution that could then transition at a later date? Will a new at-grade crossing be allowed by the PUC and BNSF, and would BNSF consider switching yard relocation? • Is the added cost of an underpass to address visual and noise impact issues appropriate when a lower cost overpass would result in similar traffic performance without the higher cost and risk concerns, such as drainage issues, caused by the underpass? • Does the currently unknown cost of relocation of the railroad switching yard and its ability to reduce railroad crossing/switching-related system congestion justify the expenditure? • Can the existing at-grade crossing of existing E. Vine and existing Lemay remain in a limited configuration for pedestrians/cyclists. Transportation Offer 1.9: KFCG ENHANCEMENT: Vine and Lemay Intersection Improvements 2016: $500,000 and 0.00 FTE 2015: $500,000 and 0.00 FTE Offer Summary This offer funds the planning, design and right-of-way work for improvements to the Vine Drive and Lemay Avenue intersection in northeast Fort Collins. Development in northeast Fort Collins is proceeding at a rapid pace, and the City expects this to be the largest area of new development in the future. It is critical that the City dedicate adequate resources to begin the detailed planning and preparation for this complicated project now. This high priority transportation capital project is ranked in the top ten in the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) list within the recently adopted Transportation Master Plan. This offer seeks to fund the preliminary design of the Lemay and Vine intersection improvements. There are three main benefits to accepting this offer: 1) we position ourselves for construction funding opportunities as they become available; 2) we clearly define the right-of-way footprint and refine the cost estimate to guide future land use decisions; and 3) since total cost of the project is high, this will help spread the cost over multiple years and sources. The design of the Lemay and Vine improvements is vital to the completion of the realigned Vine Drive, which is the number one project on the CIP list. Vine and Lemay Intersection Improvements: - Completing the planning work for this large, complex project will position the project for future funding opportunities, including federal grants and the proposed extension of Building on Basics - Reduces congestion and improves safety for all modes of travel - Key part of fulfilling the vision created in the Mountain Vista Sub Area Plan - Realignment solves long-time problems for adjacent neighborhoods Offer Highlights This project will address critical existing deficiencies for all modes of travel that are only worsening with additional development in the area. - This offer will position the project for funding opportunities including Building on Basics tax extension and state and federal grant opportunities. - This project will ultimately solve mobility and access problems for nearby existing neighborhoods that have been disproportionally impacted by the growth in traffic and congestion near Vine and Lemay. - Scalability and explanation This offer includes the initial phase (planning, design, and right of way) of a much larger project. Additional information can be found at: - http://www.fcgov.com/advanceplanning/pdf/mvsp-doc.pdf Data As Of: 9/8/14 at 12:09:03PM 2.2.03 Package and Offer Detail Page 33 of 360 Transportation Offer 1.9: KFCG ENHANCEMENT: Vine and Lemay Intersection Improvements Linkage to Strategic Objectives TRAN 6.4. Improve traffic flow for all modes of transporting people, goods and information to benefit both individuals and the business community.: Traffic can routinely back up south on Lemay Avenue nearly a mile to Mulberry when a train is present. Because of switching operations and substandard street width, this location has some of the worst train delays in the City. Already approved and projected development in the northeast part of town will only worsen this problem. - TRAN 6.3. Fill the gaps for all modes of travel and improve the current transportation infrastructure while enhancing the aesthetic environment.: The transportation system at Vine and Lemay and the surrounding vicinity is substandard. The area lacks adequate roadway capacity, adequate bike lanes, adequate sidewalks, etc. - TRAN 6.1. Improve safety of all modes of travel.: Having an arterial-arterial intersection in close proximity to such an active track presents an on-going safety problem. High levels of congestion in the area also contribute to accidents. Lack of facilities for bike and sidewalks means that minimum safety standards for these modes are not met. - TRAN 6.5. Create and implement long-term transportation planning and help local and regional transportation networks operate at a high level of efficiency, including the airport.: Realignment of Lemay Avenue and Vine Drive has been planned for almost 30 years. This project is a high-priority on the City’s Transportation Capital Improvement Plan and the Mountain Vista Sub-Area Plan. - TRAN 6.7. Create and implement planning, engineering and financial strategies to address adequate infrastructure within the northeast area of Fort Collins.: This project, along with realigning Vine Drive, is the most critical, high-priority transportation project for the City to be prepared for additional growth in northeast Fort Collins. - Performance Metrics - TRAN 21. Transportation Capital Projects On-Time and On-Budget (Engineering) https://www.clearpointstrategy.com/publish/direct.cfm? linkID=BFO&view=drill&scorecardID=7268&object=measure&objectID=104446 - TRAN 44. % of citizens responding very good/good - Ease of driving in Fort Collins (Citizen Survey) https://www.clearpointstrategy.com/publish/direct.cfm? linkID=BFO&view=drill&scorecardID=7718&object=measure&objectID=109977 - TRAN 45. % of citizens responding very good/good - Ease of traveling by public transportation in Fort Collins (Citizen Survey) https://www.clearpointstrategy.com/publish/direct.cfm? linkID=BFO&view=drill&scorecardID=7718&object=measure&objectID=109978 - TRAN 46. % of citizens responding very good/good - Fort Collins as a walkable city (Citizen Survey) https://www.clearpointstrategy.com/publish/direct.cfm? linkID=BFO&view=drill&scorecardID=7718&object=measure&objectID=109979 - TRAN 47. % of citizens responding very good/good - Ease of traveling by bicycle in Fort Collins (Citizen Survey) https://www.clearpointstrategy.com/publish/direct.cfm? linkID=BFO&view=drill&scorecardID=7718&object=measure&objectID=109980 Data As Of: 9/8/14 at 12:09:03PM 2.2.03 Package and Offer Detail Page 34 of 360 Transportation Offer 1.9: KFCG ENHANCEMENT: Vine and Lemay Intersection Improvements - TRAN 49. % of citizens responding very good/good - Traffic congestion in Fort Collins (Citizen Survey) https://www.clearpointstrategy.com/publish/direct.cfm? linkID=BFO&view=drill&scorecardID=7718&object=measure&objectID=109982 Personnel Changes - N/A Differences from Prior Budget Cycles - Not applicable Explanation of Any Adjustments to Personnel Costs using object 519999 - Not applicable Summary of Changes Requested by BFO Teams or the Budget Lead Team KFCG in title Other Information Offer Owner: RRichter Offer Type: Enhancement to Programs and Services Original Offer Number: 1.9 Lead Department: Engineering Data As Of: 9/8/14 at 12:09:03PM 2.2.03 Package and Offer Detail Page 35 of 360 Transportation 2015 Projected Budget 2016 Projected Budget 1.9: KFCG ENHANCEMENT: Vine and Lemay Intersection Improvements 2015 to 2016 Change Enhancement to Programs and Services Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Staffing - - - % Expenses 579000 - Other 495,000 495,000 - % 570000 - Other 495,000 495,000 - % 591000 - Transfers to Funds 5,000 5,000 - % 590000 - Transfers Out 5,000 5,000 - % Total Expenses 500,000 500,000 - % Funding Sources 254-KFCG: Other Transportation Ongoing Restricted 500,000 500,000 - % Funding Source Total 500,000 500,000 - % Data As Of: 9/8/14 at 12:09:03PM 2.2.03 Package and Offer Detail Page 36 of 360 the historic neighborhoods High ground water table due to proximity to Dry Creek Neighborhood Connectivity* The ability to maintain a pedestrian and bicycle crossing at the existing crossing location is possible, but will require both PUC and BSNF approvals. Continue to explore all complimentary strategies for improving safety and connectivity. Construction Risks Constructing new at-grade crossing while keeping BNSF operational will be difficult. General construction risks. Timing of placing bridge girders over operational tracks. Constructability of underpass in high groundwater, and constructing BNSF tracks is complex without a shoe-fly option. Total Project Cost $24 to $25 million $26 to $27 million $40-$41 million