Title
Consider approving Resolution No. 2014-044 supporting the Farmers Branch Bike and Pedestrian Trail program by authorizing the City to submit a 2014 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant application to the Regional Transportation Council of North Central Texas Council of Government and take appropriate action.
Body
BACKGROUND:
In an effort to expand the bicycle and walking trail system throughout the City, an opportunity to fund a new freestanding pedestrian bridge east of existing northbound Marsh Lane vehicular bridge has come to the attention of City Administration. The Regional Transportation Council (RTC) of the North Central Council of Governments (NCTCOG) has pledged $28 million towards future projects that focus on alternative methods of transportation. The City proposes to submit an application for $681,000. This grant amount would be used for the construction of the new aforementioned pedestrian bridge and a new signalized pedestrian crosswalk at the intersection of Rosser and Valley View Lane.
DISCUSSION:
In 2010 the City approved Resolution No. 2010-065 establishing a Comprehensive Trails Master Plan. Included in that Master Plan were trail improvements along Marsh Lane adjacent to Brookhaven College. Recently Dallas County has completed an extensive multi-modal trail improvement project within Brookhaven College campus. With the construction of both the new signalized crosswalk at the Rosser/Valley View intersection and pedestrian bridge across Farmers Branch Creek at Marsh Lane, the City sidewalk and trail network will directly connect to the new Brookhaven multi-modal trail and the extensive Dallas Bike Route system on Rosser.
If this grant application is selected the RTC will reimburse the City 75% of the cost of these two transportation improvements. Total cost of the new pedestrian bridge and signalized crosswalk is estimated at $681,000. Therefore the City’s portion of this project would be $170,250, which will need to be included in the 2015-16 budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
City Administration recommends approval of Resolution No. 2014-044 supporting the Farmers Branch Bike and Pedestrian Trail program by authorizing the City to submit a 2014 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant application to the Regional Transportation Council of North Central Texas Council of Government.
ACTIONS:
1) Motion to approve Resolution No. 2014-044 supporting the Farmers Branch Bike and Pedestrian Trail program by authorizing the City to submit a 2014 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant application to the Regional Transportation Council of North Central Texas Council of Government.
2) Motion to deny Resolution No. 2014-044 supporting the Farmers Branch Bike and Pedestrian Trail program by authorizing the City to submit a 2014 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant application to the Regional Transportation Council of North Central Texas Council of Government.
3) Motion to modify to meet the needs of the Council.
4) Motion to table the issue for further study or take no action.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 2014-044
2. Resolution No. 2010-065
3. 2010 Comprehensive Trails Master Plan
4. Aerial showing 2014 TAP grant projects
5. Bridge Location-Aerial
6. Pedestrian Bridge Examples
7. Examples of Signalized Crosswalks
8. Existing Valley View Pedestrian Bridge