Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
AUGUST 17, 2016
Subject/Action
SUBJECT: PROGRAM FUNDS FOR SR-71 GAP FROM I-10 TO RIO RANCHO ROAD
ACTION: APPROVE $59.3 MILLION IN PROJECT FUNDING
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE $59.3 Million in funding for the SR-71 Gap from I-10 to Rio Rancho Road Project.
Issue
ISSUE
Staff is requesting Board’s authorization to program $59.3 million in repurposed funding for improvements along the SR-71 from I-10 to Rio Rancho Road.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The SR-71 is in the Metro Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) with an escalated budget of $445 Million (I-10 to Mission Blvd and Mission Blvd to Rio Rancho Road in the city of Pomona). The Project scope is to widen the existing roadway from a four lane expressway to an eight lane freeway between Mission Blvd and Rio Rancho Road, close three at grade intersections, rebuild deficient bridge structures, construct soundwalls and other improvements as necessary - along the entire project (see Attachment A for location map and photos of existing conditions). Funds are required for the final design and right of way acquisition of the Project and the requested action will fully fund the final design and right of way acquisition for the Project.
In May 2016, the Board authorized federal repurposed earmark funds to be used for the Project. At the onset of the repurposing process, up to $96 million in local agency earmarks were deemed potentially eligible for repurposing as described under Item A of the Board Report (Agenda Item12, File #2016-0329). Additionally, approximately $7.7 million in earmarks assigned to Metro were deemed potentially eligible for repurposing as described in Attachment B of the Board Report. Of this $7.7 million, the Board chose to repurpose $2.4 million in Metro earmarks to the Airport Metro Connector Project as described under Item C of the May Board Report. After completion of the eligibility determination process, only $85.9 million in earmarks (inclusive of both local agency and Metro earmarks) was actually eligible for repurposing of which $59.3 million was identified and programmed to the SR-71 project; $7.9 million is being repurposed into other projects and $18.7 million will be retained by the original project sponsors and remain in the projects for which they were originally earmarked.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
There are no adverse safety impacts to Metro patrons and other users of the facility from this action. The Project will be implemented by Caltrans consistent with their policies, procedures and standards.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Adoption of the budget will have no negative financial impact to the agency. Accelerated delivery of this project will allow for more cost effective implementation of the project.
Impact to Budget
The project will have no impact on the 2016-17 Budget. The funding source to deliver final design and right-of-way acquisition will be federal funds which are not budgeted by Metro.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board could choose not to program the funds. This option is not recommended due to the regional significance of the SR-71 Project and its anticipated positive impacts on regional mobility, congestion relief and safety. The project has received its environmental clearances and is ready to be advanced to final design.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board’s approval, staff will negotiate the funding agreement with Caltrans and start the project.
Attachments
Attachment A - SR-71 Gap From I-10 to Rio Rancho Road Location Map & Photos
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Benkin Jong, Senior Manager, Transportation Planning, (213) 922-3053
Will Ridder, Executive Officer, Regional Programming, (213) 922-2887
Abdollah Ansari, Senior Executive Officer, Program Management-Highway Program (213) 922-4781
Bryan Pennington, Deputy Chief Program Management Officer, Program Management, (213) 922-7449
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by:
Richard F. Clarke, Chief Program Management Officer, (213) 922-7557
