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The Mayor and City Council shall discuss and possibly take action to ratify the submission of a grant application to the Transportation, Community, and System Preservation Program through the Federal Highway Administration in an amount not to exceed $2,400,000 for the relocation of the Amtrak Station and fund the required 20% match of $600,000 which is available in the General Fund, Transportation, Construction (10044146-67750-35016). Consent to submit an application includes completion of all necessary paperwork for the application process and designates the City Manager to sign all documents. Discussion and Action.
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
This is the first time staff has requested Council approval to apply for the Transportation, Community, and System Preservation (TCSP) program for the relocation of the Amtrak Station as part of the larger SR 347 grade separation project. The City of Maricopa was encouraged by Public Lands Highways Discretionary Program Coordinator, Cindi Ptak, of the Federal Lands Highway Office to submit for this grant application for TCSP program funds.
TCSP Program discretionary grant funds are used to plan and implement strategies which improve the efficiency of the transportation system, reduce environmental impacts of transportation and reduce the need for costly future public infrastructure investments. Additionally, these funds are used to ensure efficient access to jobs, services and centers for trade; examine development patterns and identify strategies to encourage private sector development patterns which achieve these goals.
Restoring economic health and creating jobs through improvements to transportation infrastructure are among the highest priorities of the Federal Highway Administration. The FHWA will give priority consideration to projects and activities that create new jobs in the short-term and contribute to the economic competitiveness of the United States over the long term. Applicants are encouraged to explain how their projects will contribute to increased employment and enhance economic competitiveness.
Maricopa's project for the grant application is the relocation of Amtrak's Maricopa Station. The Amtrak station is located immediately northeast of the SR 347-UPRR crossing. This is Amtrak's key station serving central Arizona, including the Phoenix area. The Amtrak loading platform is located approximately 120 feet east of the SR 347 crossing and will need to be relocated as part of the overall State Route 347 grade separation project being pursued by the City. The current Amtrak location will be used as an area to locate structural fill to raise the elevation of the road with respect to the Union Pacific Rail Road.
As part of the application, we have proposed a timetable that estimates the commencement of construction by September of 2013. This is an aggressive timetable based on a best case scenario in dealing with required actions to be completed by Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR). If the City of Maricopa receives this grant, City staff and Council will work with Bob Holmes and Richard Travis to launch a coordinate effort with key Union Pacific Railroad officials to ensure that UPRR actions are completed as required by the conditions of our grant.
It is critically important that the City continues to build its story about the State Route 347 grade separation project with the federal government. While the Transportation, Community, and System Preservation program is highly competitive, it is imperative we put pressure on the federal government to fund this critically important project. Staff continues to support Council's formally approved "no-stone-unturned" approach in seeking funds for the SR 347 grade separation project. It is important to remember that a U.S. Department of Transportation staff member, who is familiar with our SR 347 grade separation project, recommended that we apply for the TCSP funds and that last year the TCSP funded $1.9 million in support of a grade separation project in Elkhart Indiana.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends proceeding with the grant application for the Transportation, Community, and System Preservation Program.