AGENDA #9b

MEMORANDUM

TO:                              Mayor and Town Council

FROM:                        W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

SUBJECT:                   Reallocation of Surface Transportation Program Direct Allocation Funds

DATE:                         June 12, 2000

The attached resolution would request that the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Transportation Advisory Committee reallocate $23,000 of Surface Transportation Program Direct Allocation funds towards the construction of the Booker Creek Greenway.

BACKGROUND

As part of the federal transportation funding program, the Durham-Chapel Hill Carrboro Urban Area receives an annual allocation of approximately $2.5 million to fund transportation projects within the Urban Area.

The Surface Transportation Program Direct Allocation funds have been used by the Transportation Advisory Committee to fund local transportation project, including bicycle, pedestrian and transit projects. The Direct Allocation funds require a 20% local match and local administration of the projects.

Chapel Hill was allocated Direct Allocation funds for the construction of the Cameron Avenue and Raleigh Road sidewalk projects. The Cameron Avenue project was allocated $69,120 in Direct Allocation funds, with the total project anticipated to cost $86,400. The Raleigh Road sidewalk was allocated $218,880 in Direct Allocation funds for a total project cost of $273,600. The total Direct Allocation for both projects was $288,000. A local match of $72,000 would be required for both projects.

DISCUSSION

Project bids for the Cameron Avenue and Raleigh Road sidewalk projects have been received and are less than originally estimated. In addition, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has agreed to provide approximately $75,000 towards a portion of the Raleigh Road sidewalk in the area around Hamilton Road. Table 1 below compares the current project estimates with the original allocation.

Table 1

Project

Estimated Project Cost

Estimated Direct Allocation Funds (80%)

Current Project Cost

Current Direct Allocation (80%)

Cameron Avenue

$86,400

$69,120

$70,843

$56,674

Raleigh Road*

$273,000

$218,880

$168,990*

$135,193

Total

$359,400

$288,000

$239,833

$191,867

Difference

      

$96,133

*Total project cost of $243,990 minus $75,000 from NCDOT

Based on these projections approximately $96,000 Direct Allocation funds are available for reprogramming. With the 20% local match added, total available funds total $120,000.

The Town recently received bids for the construction of the Booker Creek Greenway. At this point the estimated cost of constructing the Booker Creek Greenway exceeds available funding. The Council has been provided with a memorandum describing more detail on the specific elements of the Booker Creek project.

The Booker Creek Greenway project has received prior allocations of Surface Transportation Program Direct Allocation funds totaling approximately $56,000. In order to complete the Booker Creek project we suggest the Council request that the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Transportation Advisory Committee reallocate $23,000 of Direct Allocation funds from the Cameron Avenue and Raleigh Road sidewalk projects towards the Booker Creek Greenway project. With that reallocation approximately $73,133 of Direct Allocation funds would remain unallocated. With the 20% local share total available funding would total $91,250.

We suggest that the Council direct that Manager to review possible projects for the Council’s consideration on July 5, 2000. If the Council agrees with on a proposal for reallocation of $73,133 at it’s July 5, 2000 meeting, then the Transportation Advisory Committee could approve the reallocation of the remaining $73,133 at their August meeting.

RECOMMENDATION

Manager’s Recommendation: That the Council approve the attached resolution requesting that the Transportation Advisory Committee reallocate $23,000 in Direct Allocation funds to the Booker Creek Greenways project. The resolution also would direct the Manager to propose possible uses for the remaining $73,133 in Direct Allocation funds on July 5, 2000.

A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE REALLOCATE SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM DIRECT ALLOCATION FUNDS TO THE BOOKER CREEK GREENWAY (2000-06-12/R-16)

WHEREAS, the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Transportation Advisory Committee has allocated $288,000 in Surface Transportation Program Direct Allocation funds towards the construction of sidewalks along Cameron Avenue and Raleigh Road; and

WHEREAS, the cost of constructing the Cameron Avenue and Raleigh Road sidewalks will only require the use of  $191,867 of Direct Allocation Funds, leaving $96,133 for reallocation; and

WHEREAS, the Town has determined that the construction of the Booker Creek Greenway will require additional funding;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill  requests the Transportation Advisory Committee to reallocate $23,000 in Direct Allocation funds to the Booker Creek Greenway project.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council directs the Manager to prepare recommendations for reallocating the remaining $73,133 to other transportation projects in Chapel Hill at the Council’s July 5, 2000 meeting.

           

This the 12th day of June, 2000.