Title
A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute and Administer the Agreement Between the City of Colorado Springs and the Colorado Department of Transportation for I-25 / Fillmore Street Reconstruction Project
Body
From:
Dave Lethbridge, Interim Public Works Director
Kathleen Krager, Transportation Manager
Summary:
The attached resolution will authorize the Mayor to execute the attached Agreement between the City of Colorado Springs and the Colorado Department of Transportation. The Agreement commits a $1 million match from the City of Colorado Springs, using 2014 Pikes Peak Rural Transportation (PPRTA) funding, toward the I-25 / Fillmore Street Reconstruction Project.
Previous Council Action:
N/A
Background:
On July 1, 2013, the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Region 2, and the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (PPACG) submitted a proposal to the State for RAMP (Responsible Acceleration of Maintenance and Partnerships) funding to construct a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) at I-25 and Fillmore. This high priority project for our Region was selected to receive RAMP funding. The Scope of Work, attached to the Agreement, provides the following project information:
The I-25 / Fillmore Street Interchange Reconstruction project is located in Colorado's second most populated city. Today the I-25 / Fillmore Interchange, which serves a critical function in the state and regional transportation system and the City's wildfire evacuation network, is inadequate. The Fillmore Street and Interstate 25 (I-25) Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) project will replace a congested and obsolete interchange on I-25. The needs for the project are generated by a high traffic demand, Ramps backing up onto I-25 during peak periods from the off ramp intersection at Fillmore Street, low sufficiency bridge and limited Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant accessibility. The critical needs for the improvements are underscored by the essential roles of the interchange in providing: a wildfire emergency evacuation route, access to the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital, access to schools, and access to Penrose Hospital. The proposed interchange improvements will replace the obsolete Fillmore Street / I-25 interchange with an innovative DDI. The DDI will replace the existing low-sufficiency rated bridge with eastbound and westbound twin bridges. The approaches on Fillmore Street will be signalized for safer right and left turns from the I-25 ramps. The City of Colorado Springs is relocating Chestnut Street to the west as part of a companion project to the interchange, which improves operations and safety by separating the I-25 southbound off-ramps and Chestnut Street signalized intersections. This companion project is identified in the EA as part of the Proposed Action. The new design replaces a deteriorating facility and improves community access to the interstate. The new bridge spans will also accommodate a future I-25 mainline HOV lane.
Financial Implications:
The construction of the I-25 / Fillmore Street Interchange DDI is a $13 million project. The RAMP funding is providing $11.7 million toward this project and $1 million match has been approved in the 2014 City of Colorado Springs PPRTA Budget, and an additional $300,000 will come from Regional Metro funding.
Board/Commission Recommendation:
The PPACG Board approved $300,000 of Metro funding toward the project at their May 7, 2014 meeting. The PPRTA Board reaffirmed their financial match commitment of $1 million at their meeting on May14, 2014.
Stakeholder Process:
N/A
Alternatives:
N/A
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Motion to approve the attached resolution.
Ordinance Language
N/A