PRESENTER: Presenter
Garry Ford, Transportation and Capital Improvements Director
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of a resolution supporting the submission of projects to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program.
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Capital Improvements
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program provides grants to local, regional, and tribal communities for implementation, planning, and demonstration activities as part of a systematic approach to prevent deaths and serious injuries on the nation’s roadways. The SS4A grant program offers Planning and Demonstration Grants for Safety Action Plans and supplemental safety planning and demonstration activities, and Implementation Grants to implement projects identified in existing action plans.
On March 25, 2024, the City Council passed a resolution adopting the New Braunfels Street Safety Action Plan. This plan outlined measures to reduce speeds, protect and expand multimodal spaces, inform and educate the public on the benefits of such infrastructure, and work towards more streamlined implementation of safety measures. The plan also details funding options for proposed projects, including the SS4A grant program.
City staff has evaluated programs and safety measures that will help meet the goals of the adopted plan and recommend submission of multiple construction projects to the SS4A Implementation grant funding.
The recommended construction projects include:
1. Seguin-Zink Roundabout
a. Reconstruction of the existing intersection of Seguin Ave/Zink Street/Landa Street to a roundabout within the existing right-of-way, including paving, storm drain system, sidewalk, illumination, pavement markings, signage, and landscaping.
2. Fair Lane Realignment
a. Included as part of phase one of the Guadalupe River Park capital improvement project, this project phase would adjust the alignment of Fair Lane where it intersects with Common Street to correct the existing jog and create more consolidated space for the park’s future development. This would include sidewalks, a traffic signal, and landscaping.
ISSUE:
Implement road safety improvements to help meet the goals of the adopted Street Safety Action Plan through the use of Federal grants.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☐Economic Mobility ☒Enhanced Connectivity ☒Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☒Community Well-Being ☐N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
Projects selected for grant funding require a 20% local match and 100% of the project development costs. If City of New Braunfels projects are selected, the funding for these projects will be identified in future years’ budgets, including leveraging funding from bond programs, Roadway Impact and Park Development Fees, and potentially the New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Approval of a resolution of support to submit projects to the SS4A grant program.