Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
MARCH 17, 2021
Subject
SUBJECT: ALAMEDA CORRIDOR-EAST GRADE SEPARATIONS PHASE II PROGRAM
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
CONSIDER:
A. REPROGRAMMING of Measure R funds for the Alameda Corridor-East (ACE) Grade Separations Phase II Program to reflect the program schedule change; and
B. AUTHORIZING the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or his designee to negotiate and execute project addenda consistent with the Board-approved ACE Grade Separations Phase II Funding Program.
Issue
ISSUE
In May 2013 the Metro Board approved Measure R funds for the Alameda Corridor-East (ACE) Phase II Project and authorized the CEO to execute a Master Agreement with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) to support the delivery of the ACE Phase II Project. The Master Agreement set forth the ACE Phase II Project expenditure plan which identified the authorized (but not yet allocated) Measure R funds in the amount of $358,000,000 to be programmed over six fiscal years (FY2012-13 through FY2017-18).
The project addendum 1 (signed on June 14, 2013) programmed $93,000,000 of Measure R funds over three fiscal years, FY2012-13 through FY2014-15. The project addendum 2 (signed on November 27, 2017) programmed an additional $159,000,000 of Measure R funds over the next three fiscal years, FY2014-15 through FY2016-17. Per the Master Agreement, $106,000,000 of Measure R funds remains yet to be programmed to support the completion of the ACE Project.
Various factors affecting the project delivery schedule have shifted the overall schedule several years beyond what was initially envisioned. The current project schedule will require: (1) Metro to reprogram the remaining Measure R funds in later years than the Master Agreement outlined, and (2) the CEO to issue project addenda such that the cumulative expenditures of ACE funds will be less than or equal to the cumulative expenditures identified in the ACE Funding Program. Staff seeks Board approval of the reprogramming of the remaining Measure R funds in the original expenditure plan to reflect the schedule changes and project addenda to allow for Metro’s contribution and support for the ACE Phase II Program.
This request does not seek to add any additional funds to the ACE Grade Separation Phase II Program than authorized in the Measure R expenditure plan.
Background
BACKGROUND
In November 2008 LA County voters approved Measure R and its expenditure plan which included up to $400,000,000 for the ACE Grade Separations Phase II Program. Of this amount, $42,000,000 has been allocated to the ACE San Gabriel Trench project through a Funding Agreement dated on March 30, 2010 and $358,000,000 was allocated to the ACE Phase II Program through a Master Agreement dated on June 14, 2013.
The ACE Grade Separations Phase II Program includes ten projects (Puente Avenue, Fairway Drive, Fullerton Road, Hamilton Road, Turnbull Canyon Road, Durfee Avenue, Montebello Corridor, Pomona At-grade Safety Improvements, Maple Avenue Pedestrian Overcrossing and Montebello At-grade Crossing Improvement). The Puente Avenue Grade Separation project is nearly complete, and the Fairway Drive, Fullerton Road and Durfee Avenue Grade Separations are currently in construction phase, while other projects are in various pre-construction phases. Each of these projects currently uses programmed Measure R funds and will require the remaining Measure R funds allocated for the ACE Grade Separations Phase II Program to finish construction.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The SGVCOG oversees the construction of the ACE Grade Separations Phase II Program projects along the Union Pacific Alhambra subdivision and Los Angeles subdivision in the San Gabriel Valley. The SGVCOG finances these projects through various federal, state and local funding sources, including Metro’s Measure R and Proposition C funds.
The Master Agreement for Measure R funds for the ACE Phase II Program allocated $358,000,000 to be programmed from FY 2012-13 through FY 2017-18 per the expenditure plan. The ACE Phase II Program experienced overall schedule delays since the Master Agreement was signed in May 2013 due to changes in program scope and unforeseen circumstances that affected the right-of-way acquisitions and construction schedules. To date $252,000,000 of the authorized $358,000,000 has been programmed through FY2015-16; however, the remaining $106,000,000 needs to be programmed in current and future fiscal years to make the funds available for use by the ACE Phase II Program.
Equity Platform
The ACE Program supports the Equity Platform Pillar III (Focus and Deliver) by delivering much needed grade separation projects that address impacts experienced by communities exposed to high, and growing, volumes of rail freight movements.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
This Board action will further Metro’s commitment to improving safety across LA County by implementing highway/rail grade separations.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The FY2020-21 budget includes $50,000,000 for this project under cost center 0441 (Subsidies to Others) for the ACE Program (project number 460307). As a multi-year program the cost center manager and Chief Planning Officer will be responsible for budgeting in future years on an annual basis.
Impact to Budget
The funding source is Measure R 20% which is earmarked to the ACE Grade Separations Phase II within the Measure R highway capital projects. As such, these funds are not eligible for bus and rail capital and operating expenditures.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Board approval will support Metro’s Strategic Plan Goals to (1) Provide high-quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling and (3) Enhance communities and lives through mobility and access to opportunity.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board could decide not to approve the reprogramming of Measure R funds and execution of addendums. This action is not recommended because the reprogramming of the funds and addenda are necessary to fulfill Metro’s commitment and support to complete the ACE Program.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval staff will execute addenda to program the remaining Measure R funds for the ACE Phase II Program.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Alameda Corridor-East Measure R Revised Expenditure Plan
Attachment B - ACE Program Map
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Akiko Yamagami, Manager, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 418-3114
Fanny Pan, DEO, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 418-3433 Michael Cano, DEO, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 418-3010
Wil Ridder, EO, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 922-2887 Laurie Lombardi, SEO, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 418-3251
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: James de la Loza, Chief Planning Officer, (213) 922-2920
