HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 9872 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9872
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council April 12, 2016
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*a SUBJECT: 2016 TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENT GENERATING ECONOMIC
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RECOVERY CALL FOR PROJECTS - EAST LANCASTER
CORRIDOR (STATE HIGHWAY 180)
On February 26, 2016 the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) released $500
million under the 2016 TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery)
competitive grants program. Consistent with the USDOT "Ladders of Opportunity Initiative," the
2016 TIGER round will place priority emphasis on projects that may increase: connectivity to
employment, education, services and other opportunities; support workforce development; or
contribute to community revitalization, particularly for disadvantaged groups (i.e., low income
groups, persons with visible and hidden disabilities, elderly individuals, and minority persons and
populations).
City staff, working with TxDOT and the NCTCOG, identified the East Lancaster corridor project as
a strong 2016 TIGER grant candidate project based on several key components. First, with the
completion of the current IH-35W construction, this corridor will have easy access to the toll
managed lanes that will connect US 287 at 1-30 to the managed lane project that ends at the US
287 split in north Fort Worth. Also, with the likely addition of the IH-35W Segment 3C project, the
aforementioned toll managed lanes will extend to the Denton County line in the heart of the
Alliance development. The multimodal aspects of providing an express bus service from the
residential east side to jobs in the far north of Fort Worth played a pivotal role in our region
securing a $531 million TIFIA loan in support of the IH-35W Segment 3A project (1-30 to IH 820).
Staff expects the 2016 TIGER application will include a proposal for the reconstruction of East
Lancaster, from East Loop 820 to Pine Street. The reconstructed street would consist of a six-
lane divided arterial, including bicycle and pedestrian accommodations and dedicated bus rapid
transit lanes, consistent with the "complete streets" policy in the proposed Master Thoroughfare
Plan Update and the recently adopted Fort Worth Transportation Authority Master Plan. The
estimated total project cost is $60-85 million. The application will request $25 million in TIGER
grant funding with the balance to come from the NCTCOG, TxDOT, and local partners.
Staff expects successful projects will have a high degree of private and/or local government
funding, be multi-modal, and foster innovative approaches. As such, staff is recommending a $10
million local commitment to this project from an upcoming voter approved bond initiative. Staff
intends to bring a resolution detailing this commitment at the April 19, 2016 regular City Council
meeting for inclusion in the project application. Applications are due April 29, 2016.
Should you have any questions regarding this Informal Report, please contact Jay Chapa,
Assistant City Manager at 817-392-5804 or Bryan Beck at 817-392-7909.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS