Title
Resolution to Approve a Contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation for the Nixon Road Reconstruction Project and Appropriate $9,439,553.00 in Contributing Funds (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
Attached for your review and consideration, please find a resolution to approve a contract between the City of Ann Arbor and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for the construction phase of the Nixon Road Reconstruction Project. The agreement prescribes the cost sharing of the construction, as well as each party’s rights and responsibilities, and is required for the project to receive its share of federal funding from the Surface Transportation Program (STP).
The Nixon Road Reconstruction Project includes a full reconstruction of Nixon Road from Huron Parkway to Dhu Varren/Green Road with three new roundabouts located at Sandalwood Circle, Meade Ct./Bluett Drive, and Traver Blvd. The scope also includes a new watermain from Aurora St. to Traver Blvd. and new storm sewer and lighting throughout the project limits. Improved features such as additional pedestrian crossings, raised crosswalks, buffered bike lanes, shared-use paths and new connecting sidewalks will improve the safety of the roadway for pedestrians and cyclists while reducing vehicle speeds.
The project will be constructed in three phases during 2025 and 2026, with construction requiring full road closures occurring within the months of May-August to limit impacts to the adjacent schools, and southbound-only traffic open during fall months. The limits and timing of each phase is as follows:
Phase 1
Full roadway closure of Nixon Road from Huron Parkway to Bluett Dr./Meade Ct.
Schedule: May 2025 - August 2025
Phase 2
Full roadway closure of Nixon Road from Bluett Dr./Meade Ct. to Argonne Dr.
Schedule: May 2026 - August 2026
Phase 3
Part-width roadway closure with southbound traffic open on Nixon Road from Argonne Dr. to Dhu Varren Rd./Green Rd.
Schedule: August 2026 - November 2026 (Final restoration by June 2027)
Completed plans were submitted to MDOT on December 3, 2024 and revisions submitted on January 27th, 2025. The project is scheduled for an April 5, 2025 MDOT bid letting. This memorandum and resolution were prepared prior to the letting date, so bid prices were not available. MDOT will award a contract to the qualified low bidder and administer the contract. The City will act as the project engineer.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: The Engineer’s estimate for the project’s construction is $13,038,710.00. The estimated total cost of the project is $18,482,017.00. In total, the City will be receiving $3,255,556.00 in Federal funds for this project. The Federal funding will be used to fund participating construction expenses. The City will be funding its share of the construction costs as well as the design, construction engineering, inspection, and material testing costs.
A breakdown of the project revenues is shown below:
|
Federal Funds |
$ 3,255,556.00 |
|
Major Street Fund |
$ 4,307,732.00 |
|
Washtenaw Co. Road Millage |
$ 1,200,000.00 |
|
Street, Bridge & Sidewalk Millage |
$ 2,733,448.00 |
|
Water Supply System |
$ 3,274,338.00 |
|
Stormwater Fund |
$ 3,710,943.00 |
|
Estimated Total |
$ 18,482,017.00 |
Appropriations are necessary to allocate the major funding sources to the existing Nixon Road Reconstruction Project.
The additional bike lanes are estimated to increase annual maintenance costs by approximately $6,500 as detailed below:
Pavement Marking Maintenance $ 1,500
Bike Lane Maintenance $ 5,000
Staff
Prepared by: Nicholas Hutchinson, P.E., City Engineer
Reviewed by: Jordan Roberts, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The Nixon Road Reconstruction Project will replace the existing water main between Aurora St. and Traver Blvd, reconstruct the roadways with three new roundabouts, and provide improved active transportation connectivity and safety;
Whereas, Nixon is identified as a proposed All Ages and Abilities bicycle route in the Moving Together Towards Vision Zero Transportation Plan;
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor will receive Federal funding from the Surface Transportation Program (STP);
Whereas, The City share of the funding for this project is available in the approved Major Street Fund, Water Supply System Fund, and Stormwater Fund Capital Budgets; and
Whereas, It is necessary to approve the cost sharing agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation so that the project can proceed;
RESOLVED, That $3,143,123.00 be appropriated from the Stormwater Fund Capital Budget to the Nixon Road Reconstruction Project, thereby increasing the project revenue and expenditure budgets;
RESOLVED, That $2,603,698.00 be appropriated from the Water Supply System Fund Capital Budget to the Nixon Road Reconstruction Project, thereby increasing the project revenue and expenditure budgets;
RESOLVED, That $3,064,819.00 be appropriated from the Major Street Fund Capital Budget to the Nixon Road Reconstruction Project, thereby increasing the project revenue and expenditure budgets;
RESOLVED, That $627,913.00 be appropriated from the Major Street Fund, Fund Balance to the Nixon Road Reconstruction Project, thereby increasing the project revenue and expenditure budgets;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute Michigan Department of Transportation Contract No. 25-5124 for the Nixon Road Reconstruction 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; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take the necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution including approval of needed Traffic Control Orders, night work authorizations, and other similar administrative approvals to allow the work of the project to proceed without delay