Item Description:
title
Authorization to apply for federal discretionary grants through USDOT’s FY2025 RAISE program for projects on West Broadway Avenue, CSAH 81 (CP 1005877) and Washington Avenue, CSAH 152 (CP 2221000)
end
WHEREAS:
body
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) has given notice that discretionary funding through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program for fiscal year (FY) 2025 is available.
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the County Administrator be authorized to submit two applications for the USDOT FY 2025 RAISE discretionary grant program for the following County Projects (CP):
• County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 81 (West Broadway Avenue) from Lyndale Avenue North to West River Road, CP 1005877 and
• CSAH 152 (Washington Avenue South) from the I-35W northbound ramps to the CSAH 152 (Cedar Avenue)/Third Street South intersection, CP 2221000; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that sponsorship and acceptance of grant funding for these projects by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners does not imply a continued funding commitment by the county for either of these projects when grant funds are no longer available.
end
Background:
The USDOT RAISE discretionary grant program has $1.5 billion available in FY 2025 to award on a merit-based competitive application process. The USDOT evaluates applications using the following criteria: safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, mobility and community connectivity, economic competitiveness and opportunity, state of good repair, partnership and collaboration and innovation. Applications are due January 30, 2025, and awards are expected to be announced by June 28, 2025.
RAISE discretionary awards range from $5 million to $25 million per project in urban areas. The county’s applications will request approximately $8.8 million for West Broadway Avenue (CP 1005877) and $9.4 million for Washington Avenue (CP 222100). A local match of 20% is required for awarded projects unless they are located in areas of persistent poverty or historically disadvantaged communities, for which project costs may be determined to be 100% federally eligible. Due to their locations, both of the county’s projects may be eligible for 100% federal funds.
The recommended applications on West Broadway Avenue and Washington Avenue align with the county’s transportation priorities in terms of asset condition, safety and accessibility. In addition, if awarded federal discretionary funds through RAISE, these projects would be coordinated with two regional transit investments: the METRO Blue Line Extension light rail transit project and the METRO H Line bus rapid transit project.
The county previously received a $12 million RAISE discretionary grant for improvements along Lake Street and Lagoon Avenue that was coordinated with METRO B Line bus rapid transit project, CP 2193300 (Resolution 23-0287).
Current Request:
This request seeks to authorize the county administrator to submit two applications for RAISE discretionary grants, as part of the FY 2025 opportunity, for the following projects:
• CSAH 81 (West Broadway Avenue) from Lyndale Avenue North to West River Road, and
• CSAH 152 (Washington Avenue) from the I-35W northbound ramps to the CSAH 152 (Cedar Avenue)/Third Street South intersection
Impacts/Outcomes:
Approval of this request will authorize the county administrator to submit two applications through the RAISE discretionary grant program in 2025. Each project will address the county’s transportation needs and support the county’s disparity reduction efforts and climate action goals by improving accessibility, mobility, and safety through a Complete and Green Streets design.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval