Title
Resolution to Approve an Agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation for the West Stadium (Suffolk to Hutchins) Improvements Project
Memorandum
Attached for your review and approval, please find a resolution to approve an agreement between the City of Ann Arbor and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for the reconstruction of West Stadium Boulevard (Suffolk to Hutchins) and related necessary utility improvements. This Agreement is required so that this project can receive its share of Federal Surface Transportation Fund. At a later date this Resolution will also meet requirements necessary to enter into another agreement with the State of Michigan to obtain American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) reimbursement for the water main and storm sewer work for this project.
The FY 2010 Capital Improvements Budget includes project TR-SC-09-02. This project is a continuation of the West Stadium reconstruction that was completed at and north of Pauline in 2006 and 2009. This project will reconstruct the West Stadium Boulevard from Suffolk to Hutchins. This project will also include storm sewer and water main improvements (UT-ST-09-03, and UT-WS-09-02), and minor sanitary sewer repairs.
The completed construction plans were submitted to MDOT in August 2009 for a bid letting on November 6, 2009. This resolution was prepared prior to November 6, so the bid results were not available for inclusion in this memorandum.
Public Involvement
A public workshop was held in January 2008 and then subsequently a Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) was established and follow-up meetings were held. The CAC helped guide the design including the decision to move forward with the 3-lane option. The CAC also did not generally favor the installation of pedestrian refuge islands, so these will not be installed as part of this project.
Road Cross Section
The proposed West Stadium Boulevard cross section between Suffolk and Franklin will be converted from four lanes to three lanes (two through lanes and a center left turn lane) with on-street bike lanes in both directions. The curb-to-curb width will remain the same as currently exists. If future traffic volumes warrant a four lane cross section, the road may be easily restriped back to four lanes.
Adjacent to Seventh (between Franklin and Hutchins) will remain four lanes with on-street bike lanes added. The addition of bike lanes will widen the curb-to-curb width slightly and this additional width will be taken from the existing lawn extensions near Pioneer High School and Pioneer Woods with no impact to the School nor Woods (the sidewalk will remain in the same location). This change was accepted by the Ann Arbor Public Schools and representatives from the Friends of Pioneer Woods at the request of the neighbors on the north side who wanted the road further away from their homes.
Traffic Control During Construction
One-way westbound traffic will be maintained on West Stadium Blvd throughout construction. Eastbound traffic will be detoured via Pauline to Maple Road to Scio Church Road to Main Street to West Stadium Blvd. Please see attached drawing for the detour route.
The University of Michigan's is expected to close one lane of the Main Street from the intersection of Stadium Blvd to the intersection of Pauline Blvd from March through July 2010 to complete the work at the UM Football Stadium. Our W. Stadium Blvd construction at the Seventh Street is schedule to begin after the restoration of the traffic lanes on S. Main Street and to be completed by September 2010. Associated traffic detours will be placed as shown on the attached drawing.
The construction between Suffolk and Franklin is expected to last from March to November 2010. The construction at the intersection of Seventh Street (Franklin to Hutchins) is expected July to September 2010.
Storm Water
Oversized pipes (up to 42" diameter) will be placed the length of the project which will provide conveyance as well as detention for the entire right-of-way. The project also includes tree plantings with "structural soil" intended to reduce surface runoff.
These storm water Best Management Process (BMP) improvements have been approved for funding through a low interest (2.5%) State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan to the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner (Resolution 08-1003). The County has also applied for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding, which would reduce the loan amount by 40%. The BMPs are intended to reduce flooding and improve water quality in Allen Creek.
Water Main Work
The existing 12" water main will be replaced as it is near the end of its design life and the soils in the area have been found to be corrosive. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) was signed into law on February 17, 2009. The bill contains $787 billion in federal funding for a wide range of purposes, from tax cuts to infrastructure spending. The ARRA includes $2 billion for Drinking Water Revolving Funds (DWRF) administered by the states, of which Michigan will receive $67,454,000.00. These funds will provide Michigan with the ability to tender more loans and provide additional subsidy through the existing DWRF structures.
City Council adopted the 2009 Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF) Project Plan for Water System Improvements and the multi-year DWRF applications on April 20, 2009 (R-09-145). The Project Plan was submitted to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality on May 1, 2009 and was included on the DWRF Fiscal Year 2010 Project Priority List.
Funding for this project is contained in the approved Capital Budget. This project was also included in our Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF) project plan and has been selected to receive funding. We expect to receive low interest financing on approximately 60% of the principle amount, with the remaining portion being forgiven by the DWRF program.
Access Issues
To improve access, all sidewalk ramps along the corridor will be replaced to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disability Act. On-street bike lanes will be placed in both directions.
Street Lights & Aesthetics
67 decorative street lights will replace 24 existing Cobra head lights owned by DTE. The poles will be the same as those installed at and north of Pauline, except that the LED fixtures will be a softer yellow light to signify the residential corridor of this section of West Stadium. The lights will also be directed toward the roadway, to reduce light into residential homes. Based on last year's figures, annual maintenance and electrical costs of the 67 new City-owned lights is estimated at $605 per year for LED lights versus the $1090 per year charge by DTE for the 24 existing lights.
City-State Agreement
One requirement for this type of project is that the City enters into an agreement with the State of Michigan stipulating the funding split and other rights and responsibilities of the parties. It is the same form of agreement that we have used on other federally funded projects. The Federal Surface Transportation Fund - Urban (STPU) is expected to pay for 81.85% of the eligible participating road, capped at $3,607,500.00 and contingent upon the availability of the Federal Surface Transportation Fund in FY 2010. In the attached City-State Agreement, the FY 2009 STPU funds ($1,334,000.00) are guaranteed to the project. The FY 2010 STPU funds ($2,273,500.00) are guaranteed to the project contingent upon the availability of Federal Funds and Federal approval for future fiscal years.
All other costs including the remaining participating construction costs, design, construction engineering, testing, and non-participating items of work will be funded from the Street Millage and utility capital funds as shown below.
Based on the Engineer's Estimate, the total anticipated project expenditures are $7,509,040.00. (See attached Construction document)
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will award the contract and the City will act as the project engineer.
Staff
Prepared by: Homayoon Pirooz, P.E., Project Management Manager
Reviewed by: Sue F. McCormick, Public Services Administrator
Approved by: Roger W. Fraser, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The adopted 2010-15 Capital Improvements Plan included the West Stadium (Suffolk to Hutchins) Improvements project;
Whereas, The Federal Highway Administration will allocate funds in the amount of $1,334,000.00 and is expected to allocate an additional $2,273,500.00 (contingent upon the availability of future Federal Surface Transportation Funds (STPU)) for the reconstruction of West Stadium Boulevard from Suffolk Street to Hutchins Street; and
Whereas, The West Stadium Water Main Replacement Project was included in the City's 2009 Drinking Water Revolving Fund Project Plan which was adopted by City Council April 20, 2009 and it will be funded through the state of Michigan's Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund (DWRF) program;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute contract number 09-5629 with the Michigan Department of Transportation for the West Stadium (Suffolk to Hutchins) Improvements project, substantially in the form on file with the City Clerk, following approval as to substance by the City Administrator, and approval as to form by the City Attorney;
RESOLVED, that the City makes the following declaration for the purpose of complying with the reimbursement rules of Treas. Reg. 1.150-2 pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, that the City reasonably expects to reimburse itself for expenditures for the costs of the Project with proceeds of Bonds; and
RESOLVED, That Council authorizes the City Administrator to take necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.