Item Description:
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Authorization to apply for federal discretionary grants through the 2024 RAISE program for projects on West Broadway Avenue, CSAH 81 (CP 1005877) and Washington Avenue, CSAH 152 (CP 2221000)
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WHEREAS:
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WHEREAS, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) has given notice of funding opportunity for fiscal year 2024 through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program for fiscal year 2024 is available.
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the county administrator be authorized to apply for RAISE grants 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) from Fifth Avenue South to CSAH 122 (Washington Ave SE) eastbound ramp, CP 2221000
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 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 these projects when grant funds are no longer available.
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Background:
The USDOT RAISE discretionary grant program has $1.5 billion available in federal fiscal year 2024 to award on a merit-based, competitive basis. USDOT evaluates applications based on criteria of 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 February 28, 2024, and selections will occur by July 2024. Funding would cover project costs during construction, which is predicted to start in 2026 and go through 2029.
The RAISE awards range from $5 million to $25 million per project. The county’s applications will request between $7-10 million for CP 10005877 and $15-$20 million for CP 2221000. A local match of 20% is required for projects unless they are located in areas of persistent poverty or historically disadvantaged communities, which are eligible for 100% federal cost share. Due to the project locations, no cost share will be required for local match.
The recommended projects on CSAHs 81 and 152 reflect the county’s priorities for transit and transportation needs in terms of asset condition, safety, and accessibility. In addition, these projects would be coordinated with two major regional transit investments, the Blue Line Extension light rail and H Line arterial bus rapid transit.
The county previously received a $12 million RAISE grant for improvements along Lake Street and Lagoon Avenue as part of the METRO B Line Project (phase two), CP 2193300 (Resolution 23-0287).
Current Request:
This request seeks to authorize the county administrator to apply for two RAISE grants for the following projects:
• CSAH 81 (West Broadway Avenue) from Lyndale Avenue North to West River Road, CP 1005877; and
• CSAH 152 (Washington Avenue) from Fifth Avenue South to CSAH 122 (Washington Ave SE) eastbound ramp, CP 2221000
Impacts/Outcomes:
Approval of this request will authorize county staff to apply for federal funding through the RAISE discretionary grant program for fiscal year 2024. If successful, this will help address the county’s transit and transportation needs, reduce state aid programming, and support the county’s disparity reduction efforts and climate action goals by improving accessibility, mobility and safety through complete and greens streets projects.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval