DATE: November 14, 2017
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Retroactive Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Program (TIGER) Federal Grant Application, Authority to Apply for Funding for the Millerton Road Widening Project
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
TITLE
1. Retroactively authorize the Director of the Department of Public Works and Planning submittal of a grant application in the amount of $24,054,000 to the United States Department of Transportation for the FY 2017 Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Program; and
2. Authorize the Director to execute the FY 2017 Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Program grant funding agreement and all other documents necessary to participate in the program to fund improvements to Millerton Lake State Recreation Area, subject to review by the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector and County Counsel.
REPORT
The first recommended action will retroactively direct and authorize the Director of the Department of Public Works and Planning (Department) to complete and submit a competitive grant application for United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) discretionary funds, through the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program to fund in part the Millerton Road Widening Project, which would widen and improve approximately 1.7 miles of Millerton Road between the town of Friant and the entrance to the Millerton lake State Recreation Area. The grant was submitted on October 16, 2017, contingent on your Board’s approval.
The second recommended action would authorize the Director of the Department to execute, subject to the review and approval of County Counsel and the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector, any grant funding agreement which might be offered by USDOT for the improvements.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION:
If the first recommended action is not approved, the Department would withdraw from this grant application process. If the second recommended action is not approved, the Department would return to the board for approval of any grant funding agreements.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Staff costs to prepare the application are included in the FY 2017-18 Public Works and Planning - Roads Org 4510 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
On June 2, 2015, the Board approved a resolution to apply for TIGER grant funds to the USDOT for the Millerton Road Widening project. While the Department did not succeed in obtaining the grant, the opportunity to apply again for the TIGER grant now exists. Due to the submission deadline, October 16, 2017, the Department is requesting the Board retroactively approve submission of the application for the TIGER grant to assist in funding for Phase 1 of the project. The County previously applied for a Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) Grant to assist in funding the project, but was not successful.
The TIGER grant application process is highly competitive, and a successful application is not guaranteed. However, the Department may leverage grant proceeds with funds for the improvements already committed by Table Mountain Rancheria (TMR). If the grant application is successful, right of way (ROW) acquisition, utility relocation, and construction will proceed as planned.
The project is a programmed Regional Transportation Program project, adopted by the Fresno Council of Governments, and has been included in several long term plans. The original termini for the Millerton Road Widening project were North Fork Road and Auberry Road, a distance of approximately 6 miles, but the extent was shortened to Table Mountain Road due to environmental concerns. The project will now be completed in two phases; Phase 1 will reconstruct approximately 1.7-miles of Millerton Road from a two-lane rural roadway to a four-lane divided arterial from North Fork Road to the Millerton Lake State Recreation Area Entrance. A new two-lane bridge would be constructed over the Friant-Kern Canal to accommodate westbound traffic, and the existing two-lane bridge will be utilized for eastbound traffic. Phase 2 will finish the project from the State Park entrance to Table Mountain Road just east of Table Mountain Casino, a distance of approximately 3 miles. The four-lane roadway would accommodate existing and projected future traffic demands, as well as improve safety. The construction cost for both phases is estimated to be approximately $25 million.
Under an agreement approved by the Board on May 20, 2008, TMR has wholly funded and completed the preliminary design, California Environmental Quality Act analysis, and - along with the United States Bureau of Reclamation - National Environmental Policy Act analysis. ROW acquisition will be completed separately for each phase. TMR is a supporter of the project along with the Fresno Cycling Club and members of the community who have provided letters expressing their support.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Application
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #12, May 20, 2008
BAI #46, June 2, 2015
BAI #37, May 2, 2017
CAO ANALYST:
John Hays