Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br /> STAFF REPORT <br />1 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />TO: Mayor Fischer and Members of the City Council <br /> <br />FROM: Bill Dircks, Public Works Director <br /> <br />DATE: May 8, 2024 <br /> <br />RE: 35E/Country Drive/Little Canada Road Interchange Project <br />IIJA Grant Application – Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program <br />Planning & Design Grant Application <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />City staff have continued to seek available funding to make needed improvements in the vicinity of <br />the Little Canada Road and I-35E interchange. The City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan and current <br />Sidewalk and Trail Plan identifies the need for a grade-separate pedestrian crossing of I-35E along <br />the Waterworks Trail alignment. A grade separated crossing over I-35E was also discussed in the <br />City’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan. Given the grant success the City has had in recent months near the <br />Little Canada Road and I-35E interchange, now seems to be an appropriate time to consider seeking <br />state or federal funding to advance a grade-separated pedestrian improvement project. <br /> <br />The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) bill has provided new funding for local agencies to <br />tap into for projects like the possible pedestrian bridge discussed above. The IIJA funds are being <br />administered through various new and existing infrastructure programs. One of the programs, called <br />the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP), provides funding to local <br />agencies to advance Active Transportation initiatives. The program can fund both Planning/Design or <br />Construction efforts. The program is currently taking applications through mid-June. At this time, <br />staff is recommending that the City pursue a grant to fund the Planning & Design of a pedestrian <br />bridge. Future grant applications to this or other programs could be considered. The grant amount <br />sought would be determined during the grant application process. If the application is successful, the <br />City would be responsible for 20% of the costs associated with the award. However, MnDOT has a <br />rolling program to fund the local match requirement on IIJA awards. <br /> <br />Bolton & Menk prepared the attached proposal to complete an application for pedestrian bridge <br />planning & design through ATIIP. The application proposal, in the estimated amount of $19,500, <br />would be fully reimbursable through MnDOT’s IIJA Technical Assistance Program. This program <br />was established to help local agencies by reducing or eliminating the financial burden associated with <br />making applications to the IIJA programs which can be both time consuming and cumbersome. <br />Agencies are eligible for reimbursement of up to $30,000 per year to make applications to eligible <br />IIJA programs. City staff has already inquired with MnDOT staff and have authorization for <br />reimbursement of these and future IIJA grant application costs up to $30,000. City staff expects a <br />possible Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods solicitation this fall that the City can <br />consider applying to for pedestrian bridge funding as well. Any of the remaining $30,000 MnDOT <br />reimbursement funds could be used for that application.