HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.12.23 UAPB Agenda PacketMEETING NOTICE
MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board
Wednesday July 12, 2023 – 4:30 PM
City of North Liberty – Council Chambers
3 Quail Creek Circle, North Liberty IA
AGENDA
1.Call to Order
a.Recognize alternates
b.Consider approval of meeting minutes
c.Set next Board meeting date, time and location (tentatively September 20th)
2.Public Discussion of any item not on the agenda*
3.Administration
a.Consider approval of a method for apportionment of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section
5307 Transit Operating funds for Iowa City Transit, Coralville Transit, and University of Iowa
Cambus (memo to be provided at meeting)
4.Transportation Planning
a.Consider approval of amendments to the adopted MPOJC 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan
b.Public Hearing and consideration of resolutions of adoption and certification for the FY24-27
MPOJC Transportation Improvement Program
i. Staff presentation of the FY24-27 MPOJC Transportation Improvement Program
ii.Public Hearing
iii. Consider a resolution adopting the FY24-27 Transportation Improvement Program for the
Iowa City Urbanized Area and authorizing the MPO Chairperson to sign associated documents
contained therein
iv. Consider a resolution certifying compliance with federal requirements for conducting the
urban transportation planning process in the Iowa City Urbanized Area
c.Update on the CRANDIC Bus Rapid Transit Study from MPO staff
5.Other Business
6.Adjournment
*Public input is permitted on any agenda item. Please indicate to the Chair if you wish to comment on an agenda item.
To request any disability-related accommodations or language interpretation, please contact MPOJC staff at 319-356-5230
or Kent-Ralston@Iowa-City.org 48 hours prior to the meeting.
MINUTES DRAFT
MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD
WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2023 – 4:30 P.M.
CITY OF CORALVILLE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1512 7TH ST. CORALVILLE, IA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Laurie Goodrich, Meghann Foster
Iowa City: Laura Bergus, John Thomas, Pauline Taylor
Johnson County: Rod Sullivan, Jon Green
North Liberty: Brian Wayson, Chris Hoffman
University Heights: Louise From
University of Iowa: David Kieft
Tiffin: Steve Berner
ICCSD: Molly Abraham
STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Emily Bothell, Hannah Neel, Sarah Walz
OTHERS PRESENT: Cathy Cutler
1.CALL TO ORDER
Thomas called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. The meeting was held in the City of Coralville
Council Chambers in Coralville, Iowa.
a.Recognize alternates
Ralston recognized David Kieft as an alternate for Erin Shane (University of Iowa).
b.Consider approval of meeting minutes
Sullivan moved to approve, and Bergus seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
c.Set next Board meeting date, time, and location
Tentatively scheduled for July 12th, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. in North Liberty, Iowa.
2.PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
3.ADMINISTRATION
a.Consider approval regarding changes to the MPOJC Transportation Technical Advisory
Committee representation.
Ralston stated that per the MPOJC bylaws, the Transportation Technical Advisory
Committee (TTAC) is a permanent standing committee intended to provide policy and
funding recommendations to the Urbanized Area Policy Board (UAPB). The Committee is
comprised of 16 voting members and four ex-officio non-voting members.
Ralston explained there is no policy established to review representation on the
Committee to ensure that it is roughly proportional to the population of MPO member
entities. However, a review after each decennial census seems appropriate and is
consistent with the requirement for the Policy Board. After reviewing the 2020 census
populations, the current representation on the Committee shows that North Liberty should
MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board Minutes
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have additional representation. Ralston shared a few options that were shared with the
Technical Advisory Committee at their May 23rd meeting. The options were intended to
balance representation while keeping the total number of representatives manageable.
Option 1: Mirror the composition of the Urbanized Area Policy Board (UAPB) – 16 voting
members.
Option 2: Remove one Coralville representative and provide one representative to North
Liberty – 16 voting members.
Option 3: Remove one University of Iowa seat and provide two representatives to North
Liberty – 17 voting members.
At their May 23rd meeting, the City of North Liberty indicated a desire to simply add one
new representative to the Committee and the Committee unanimously recommended
approval without additional changes.
Green moved to approve the Committee’s recommendation and From seconded. The
motion carried unanimously.
4.TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
a.Consider approval of Draft FY2024-2027 MPOJC Transportation Improvement Program
(TIP) projects.
Neel explained that the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is the local
programming document for federal and state surface transportation and transit projects.
Project pages from the draft FY2024 - FY2027 TIP were shared with the Board.
Neel stated that three new Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) projects (awarded
by the Policy Board in March 2023) were added to the TIP and programmed in FY27. The
projects include Coralville’s Dubuque Street NE and Forevergreen Road Roundabout
project ($675,000), North Liberty’s South Dubuque Street Reconstruction project
($1,100,000), and University Heights’ Sunset Street and Melrose Avenue project
($225,000).
Neel shared that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Program 5307 operating funds
were also apportioned by the Board in January for FY23 and the FY24 estimated funding
amounts are included in the draft TIP. The TIP also includes projects from the MPO Transit
Program of Projects, which will be considered by the Board in July.
The Transportation Technical Advisory Committee unanimously recommended approval
of the draft FY24-27 TIP list of projects at their May 23rd meeting. Neel stated that upon
approval, staff will begin the 30-day public comment period and submit the draft TIP to our
public input organization mailing list, the Iowa Department of Transportation, the Federal
Highway Administration, and the Federal Transit Administration. Upon review by these
stakeholders, staff will present a final draft of the TIP for consideration in July.
Hoffman moved to approve, and Berner seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board Minutes
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b.Consider a resolution approving the MPOJC FY2024 Transportation Planning Work
Program.
Ralston stated that the MPOJC Transportation Planning Work Program includes all locally
requested projects from member entities and general projects and procedures required by
the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the Federal Transit Administration
(FTA). Staff relies on the Work Program to organize data collection and manage project
workflow throughout the year.
Ralston asked the Board to review the attached draft and share any modifications before
staff submits the document to the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT), FHWA,
and the FTA for final approval.
Ralston reminded the Board that the MPO will continue to accept project requests as they
come up throughout the year and that the Work Program represents approximately a
quarter to a third of the total projects the MPO will complete.
At their May 23rd meeting, the Transportation Technical Advisory Committee unanimously
recommended approval of the Work Program. Ralston asked the Board to consider
approval of the FY24 Transportation Planning Work Program.
Sullivan moved to approve, and Hoffman seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
c.Update on Metro Area Bicycle and Pedestrian Collision Data.
Walz gave an update on current pedestrian and bicycle collision trends in the urbanized
area. Walz explained that despite the rapid growth in population across the Metro area
and increased vehicular miles traveled since 2012, the number of bicycle collisions
reported in 2022 is lower than any year before the COVID-19 pandemic. Trail count data
also shows an increase in people biking and walking on the trails. The number of bicycle
collisions that result in serious injury or death has been trending downward. The most
serious injuries tend to occur on higher-speed roads and two of the bicycle fatalities
happened outside of city limits on higher-speed roads.
Pedestrian collisions have begun to increase as have the severity of injuries. However,
Walz added that the investments communities have made to update intersections and
pedestrian crossings have paid off. Based on the Iowa City pedestrian collision data, the
Iowa City Metro compares very well to other cities in the state as our area has a lower
collision rate. This is a feat considering the higher bike and pedestrian numbers as
compared to other areas of the state. The pedestrian and bicycle collision data are utilized
by the MPO and Transportation Technical Advisory Committee when making funding and
policy recommendations.
d.Update from Iowa DOT District 6 staff on major projects in the urbanized area.
Cutler, from the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT), provided an update on
relevant projects in the Iowa City metro area. The Interstate 80-380 interchange is making
progress with some traffic shifts on southbound I-380. The Iowa DOT estimates that all
lanes and ramps will be open by September 2023. The 1st Avenue and Interstate 80
Interchange project will have a head-to-head configuration on the southbound lanes whilst
working on the northbound bridge. This configuration will remain for the rest of the year.
Next year it will be the opposite so work can be completed on the southbound bridge.
MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board Minutes
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Cutler explained that the Herbert Hoover Highway and the Interstate-80 project has head-
to-head traffic on the eastbound lanes with the westbound ramps currently closed. This
configuration will likely exist most or all of the construction season. Interstate-80 is also
getting graded to West Branch to prepare for future widening.
The first letting for the Interstate-380 six-lane widening project will be this December. The
Penn Street interchange reconstruction will not start until late next year and into 2025. The
Iowa DOT is also working on the Wright Brothers Boulevard interchange down to the
Swisher interchange to widen I-380 to six lanes. That section of the project is being let in
August, ahead of the Penn Street portion.
e.Update on the CRANDIC Bus Rapid Transit Study from MPO staff.
Ralston explained that MPOJC has interviewed and scored the consultant proposals for
the Bus Rapid Transit Study and has selected one. Once the funding from the communities
has been acquired, the MPO will be able to move forward. Ralston had reached out to all
the relevant entities represented on the Policy Board for funding. Iowa City’s Council will
need to approve the documentation and funding request.
5.ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn was made by Bergus; Sullivan seconded. The meeting was adjourned by
Thomas at 5:20 PM.
Date: July 5, 2023
To: Urbanized Area Policy Board
From: Emily Bothell; Senior Associate Transportation Planner
Re: Agenda Item #4(a): Consider approval of amendments to the adopted 2022-2050
MPOJC Long Range Transportation Plan
At your March 21, 2023, meeting the Policy Board approved the allocation of $9.3 million in
Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program funding for FY27-28. The approval was
contingent on an amendment to the MPOJC Long Range Transportation Plan to include
Coralville’s Dubuque Street NE and Forevergreen Road project. As a reminder, any project
receiving STBG funding is required to be included in the Long Range Transportation Plan.
The City of Coralville proposed the following amendments to include the Dubuque Street NE and
Forevergreen Road project while also keeping the road and bridge project list fiscally constrained.
Fiscal constraint is a required component of long-range planning. The Plan only includes those
projects that can realistically be completed based on anticipated revenues.
Amendments
1.Project #27 Oakdale Boulevard Extension in Coralville – a 0.6-mile extension of
Oakdale Boulevard west of Jones Boulevard. Total project cost $2,465,000.
•Remove the project from the fiscally constrained road and bridge project list.
2.Project #30 Highway 6 and New Heartland Drive Intersection in Coralville – Extension
of Heartland Drive to new intersection with Highway 6 (turn lanes and traffic signal
improvements). Total project cost $1,740,000.
•Move the project to the 2022-2030 illustrative project list.
3.Project #31 Dubuque Street NE and Forevergreen Road Roundabout in Coralville /
Johnson County – Construction of a four-legged, single-lane roundabout with a 10’
shared-use path. Total project cost $2,645,000.
•Add the project to the 2022-2030 fiscally constrained road and bridge project list.
Per our adopted Public Participation Plan, a 30-day public comment period for the proposed
amendments was published in the local media and sent to interested parties. The public was also
invited to discuss the amendments in person on July 11th, 2023, between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m.
Please be prepared to consider approval of the proposed amendments. I will be available at your
July 12th meeting to answer any questions you may have.
Enclosed: Amended pages of the adopted 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan
87
FISCALLY CONSTRAINED ROAD AND BRIDGE PROJECTS
Capital infrastructure projects that did not make
the fiscally-constrained approved list of projects
(due to a lack of forecasted funding) are included
on page 95. Project descriptions and cost esti-
mates for 2022-2030 road and bridge projects
are provided on the following pages.
Fiscal constraint is a required component of
long-range planning. This plan includes only
those projects that can be realistically com-
pleted based on anticipated revenues.
The Urbanized Area Policy Board has approved
the inclusion of the following capital infrastruc-
ture projects in the fiscally-constrained list of
projects eligible to receive federal funding
through the MPOJC. For more information on
the process by which these projects were se-
lected for inclusion in the LRTP, please refer to
the Financial Planning chapter, beginning on
page 56.
Project amendments were made at the request of
the City of Coralville and approved by the Urban-
ized Area Policy Board (July 2023).
2022-2030
88
Projects 1-7, highlighted in blue are committed projects and have funding programmed in the FY22-25 MPOJC Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP).
ID Entity Project Title Project Description $ Cost Estimate
at Construction
1 University Heights Melrose Ave Complete Street Improvements Streetscape, stormwater and intersection improvements, utility relocations and construct bike lanes east of
Sunset St (0.35 miles)$1,560,000
2 Coralville 5th Street Reconstruction - 12th Ave to 20th Ave 0.6 mile reconstruction of 5th St between 12th Ave and 20th Ave $3,132,000
3 Tiffin Park Road (Highway 6 to Oakdale Boulevard)Grade & pave to a four-lane street, install curb, gutter and sidewalks or trails $4,860,000
4 Iowa City Taft Avenue Reconstruction American Legion Rd to Lower West Branch Rd $12,760,000
5 Coralville Highway 6 & Deer Creek Road Pavement widening, turn lanes, RR Xing improvements, new traffic signals $3,712,000
6 North Liberty Ranshaw Way Improvements - Phase 6 Full build out from Hawkeye Dr to Forevergreen Rd, including trails and landscaping $11,600,000
7 University Heights Sunset Street Pavement Pavement repair and pedestrian improvements $557,960
8 University Heights Melrose Avenue Preventative Maintenance Pavement repair within city limits $174,000
9 Coralville 5th Street & 10th Avenue Roundabout Reconstruct intersection as a roundabout and reconstruct 10th Ave to Highway 6 $1,450,000
10 Iowa City Park Road Reconstruction Reconstruct Park Rd between Riverside Dr and Templin Rd $7,772,000
11 Coralville 1st Avenue North Phase 1 0.5 mile reconstruction of 1st Ave between southerly E. Grantview Dr and Auburn East Ln from rural to
urban cross section $1,537,000
12 Coralville 12th Avenue at I-80 Overpass Reconstruct road approach sections to bridge over I-80, extend shared use path from south end of bridge
to 11th St, construct shared use path north of bridge to Ozark Ridge share use path $754,000
13 Iowa City Benton Street Bridge This project is a replacement of the Benton St bridge over Ralston Creek $1,624,000
14 Tiffin Highway 6 (Main Street to Park Road)Grade & pave street, install curb, gutter and sidewalks or trails and install center turn lane $3,190,000
15 Coralville Heartland Drive - Commerce Drive to Jones
Boulevard 0.42 mile reconstruction of Heartland Dr from Commerce Dr to Jones Blvd $1,740,000
16 North Liberty Dubuque Street Reconstruction - Phase 5 Full reconstruction with curb and gutter from Penn St to Main St $657,720
17 North Liberty Forevergreen Road / Jasper Avenue Roundabout Full build out, including trails and landscaping $4,194,560
18 Coralville Commerce Drive - Coral Ridge Avenue to
Commercial Park 0.25 mile reconstruction Commerce Dr from Coral Ridge Ave to Commercial Park $1,044,000
19 University Heights Sunset Street Preventative Maintenance and
Crosswalk Improvements Pavement repair between Benton St and Melrose Ave, and Oakcrest Ave crosswalk visibility improvements $174,000
20 North Liberty Dubuque Street Reconstruction - Phase 4 Full reconstruction with curb and gutter from Juniper St to North Liberty Rd $861,880
21 Coralville 1st Avenue - Auburn Hills Drive to Auburn East
Lane Roundabout Reconstruction of intersection into a roundabout with pedestrian facilities $1,450,000
22 North Liberty Dubuque Street Reconstruction - Phase 2 Full reconstruction with curb and gutter from Zeller St to Juniper St $2,494,000
23 North Liberty Dubuque Street Reconstruction - Phase 3 Full reconstruction with curb and gutter from Cherry Street to Zeller Street.$3,087,920
Fiscally Constrained Road & Bridge Projects 2022-2030
89
2022-2030 projects (continued from previous page)
ID Entity Project Title Project Description $ Cost Estimate
at Construction
ID Entity Project Title Project Description $ Cost Estimate
at Construction
1 DOT/ Iowa City Dodge Street Reconstruction Reconstruct Dodge St between Governor St and Burlington St $19,040,000
2 DOT/Coralville Reconfigure I-80 / 1st Avenue Interchange Upgrade to diverging diamond interchange $30,420,768
3 DOT/ North Liberty Replace Penn Street Bridge over I-380
Replace Penn Street bridge over I-380; including a trail on the south side of the bridge (separated by
barrier rail), a sidewalk on the north side of the bridge (separated by barrier rail) and right turn lane
onto Kansas Ave
$17,400,000
Total Costs 2022-2030 $66,860,768
Estimated State and Federal Funding $95,418,942
Remaining State and Federal Funding $28,558,174
Fiscally Constrained Iowa DOT Projects 2022-2030
July 2023 Amendments
•Project #27 removed from the Plan.
•Project #30 moved to the 2022-2030 Illustrative Project list. The cost estimate for
this project is not included in the “Total Costs” calculation.
•Project #31 was added to the Plan.
21 Coralville 1st Avenue - Auburn Hills Drive to Auburn East
Lane Roundabout Reconstruction of intersection into a roundabout with pedestrian facilities $1,450,000
22 North Liberty Dubuque Street Reconstruction - Phase 2 Full reconstruction with curb and gutter from Zeller St to Juniper St $2,494,000
23 North Liberty Dubuque Street Reconstruction - Phase 3 Full reconstruction with curb and gutter from Cherry Street to Zeller Street.$3,087,920
24 Tiffin Highway 6 (Park Rd to I-380)Grade & pave street, install curb, gutter and sidewalks or trails $1,160,000
25 Coralville Heartland Drive - Commercial Park to Commerce
Drive 0.23 mile reconstruction of Heartland Dr from Commercial Park to Commerce Dr $812,000
26 Coralville 1st Avenue & Oakdale Boulevard Roundabout Reconstruction of intersection as a roundabout with pedestrian facilities $2,320,000
27 Coralville Oakdale Boulevard Extension 0.6 mile extension of Oakdale Blvd west of Jones Blvd $2,465,000
28 Coralville 12th Avenue & Oakdale Boulevard Intersection Reconstruct intersection as a roundabout $1,160,000
29 Tiffin Park Road (Highway 6 south to I-80) Phase One Grade & pave street, install curb, gutter and sidewalks or trails $5,800,000
30 Coralville Highway 6 & new Heartland Drive Intersection Extension of Heartland Dr to new intersection with Hwy 6. Turn lanes and traffic signal improvements $1,740,000
31 Coralville Dubuque Street NE & Forevergreen Road
Roundabout Construction of a four-legged, single-lane roundabout with a 10' shared use path $2,645,000
Total Costs 2022-2030 $84,284,040
Estimated State and Federal Funding $93,240,028
Remaining State and Federal Funding $8,955,988
90
FISCALLY CONSTRAINED ROAD AND BRIDGE PROJECTS
Project descriptions and cost estimates for 2031-2040 road and bridge
projects are provided on the following pages.
2031-2040
91
ID Entity Project Title Project Description $ Cost Estimate
at Construction
1 Iowa City Burlington Street Bridge - South This project is a replacement of the Burlington St bridge over the Iowa River that will also increase the
number of lanes $36,966,400
2 Iowa City Highway 1 / 6 Intersection Reconstruction Reconstruction of the Hwy 1 / 6 / Riverside Dr intersection $8,360,000
3 Iowa City Gilbert Street / US 6 Intersection Left Turn Lanes Reconstruct the intersection to include dual left turn lanes on Gilbert St $7,356,800
4 Iowa City South Gilbert Street Improvements Reconstruction from Benton St to Stevens Dr. This project does not include improvements to the Gilbert St.
US 6 intersection $9,994,790
5 Coralville 1st Avenue & 1st Street Intersection Traffic signals and pedestrian facilities $1,140,000
6 Coralville Highway 6 & relocated 2nd Avenue Intersection Traffic signals and pedestrian facilities $1,140,000
7 Iowa City Sycamore Street - East / West Leg from "L" to
South Gilbert Street
This project will reconstruct Sycamore St to arterial standards using the Complete Streets Policy. This phase
will be the east / west leg of Sycamore St $7,023,616
8 Coralville Highway 6 & Lucas Avenue Intersection Traffic signals, pedestrian facilities extending west on Hwy 6 $760,000
9 Tiffin Ireland Avenue (Village Drive south to Frontage
Road south of I-80)Grade & pave street, install curb, gutter and sidewalks or trails and install center turn lane $4,180,000
10 Coralville Forevergreen Road & Ridgeway Drive Roundabout Reconstruct intersection as a roundabout $1,900,000
11 Coralville 1st Avenue North Phase 3 0.6 mile reconstruction of 1st Ave between Rustic Ridge Rd and future Forevergreen Rd from a rural to
urban cross section $2,128,000
12 Coralville 1st Avenue North Phase 4 0.6 mile reconstruction of 1st Ave between Forevergreen Rd and Dubuque St $2,128,000
13 Coralville Forevergreen Road & Front Street Roundabout Reconstruct intersection as a roundabout $1,900,000
14 University Heights Melrose Avenue Preventative Maintenance Pavement repair within city limits $281,200
15 Iowa City Linn Street Reconstruction - Burlington Street to
Iowa Avenue
Part of the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan, this project reconstructs Linn St from Burlington St to Iowa
Ave. Project also improves sidewalk pavement, addresses critical update to water main, and replaces and
relocates storm sewer between Washington St and Iowa Ave
$4,470,624
16 Coralville 1st Avenue North Phase 2 0.5 mile reconstruction of 1st Ave (and North Liberty Rd) between Auburn East Ln and Rustic Ridge Rd NE $2,014,000
17 Coralville 1st Avenue & Rustic Ridge Road Roundabout Reconstruction of intersection into a roundabout with pedestrian facilities $1,520,000
18 Coralville 12th Avenue & 10th Street Intersection Turn lanes and traffic signals, or roundabout $1,520,000
19 Coralville Oakdale Boulevard Median and Turn Lane
Improvements
0.32 mile of raised medians and turn lane improvement from Crosspark Rd to University Pkwy; creates
pedestrian refuge for North Ridge Trail crossing Oakdale Blvd.$760,000
20 Tiffin Highway 6 (Roberts Ferry Road) to West City Limits Grade & pave street, install curb, gutter and sidewalks or trails and install center turn lane $5,320,000
21 Coralville Highway 6 / Westcor Drive / kansas Avenue
Intersection Traffic signals, north leg addition, pedestrian facilities $760,000
22 Coralville Heartland Drive & Commerce Drive Intersection Conversion to mini-roundabout, roundabout or traffic signals $912,000
Fiscally Constrained Road & Bridge Projects 2031-2040
92
ID Entity Project Title Project Description $ Cost Estimate
at Construction
ID Entity Project Title Project Description $ Cost Estimate
at Construction
1 DOT I-80 6 Lane Project (East)Six lane I-80 from east of Iowa Hwy 1 to eastern MPO boundary $28,211,200
2 DOT I-380 6 Lane Project (North)Six lane I-380 from north of Forevergreen Rd to the north MPO boundary $64,774,800
Total Costs 2031-2040 $92,986,000
Estimated State and Federal Funding $169,310,253
Remaining $76,324,253
Fiscally Constrained Iowa DOT Projects 2031-2040
23 Coralville Oakdale Boulevard & Brown Deer Road
Roundabout Reconstruct intersection as a roundabout $1,900,000
24 Coralville 1st Avenue and Russell Slade Boulevard
Roundabout Reconstruct intersection as a roundabout $2,280,000
25 Coralville 10th Street Reconstruction #1 0.42 mile reconstruction of 10th St from 12th Ave to 20th Ave $2,280,000
26 Coralville 10th Street Reconstruction #2 0.24 mile reconstruction of 10th St from 20th Ave to 22nd Ave $1,140,000
27 University Heights Sunset Street Preventative Maintenance Pavement repair between Benton St and Melrose Ave $281,200
28 Coralville Oakdale Boulevard & Crosspark Road Roundabout Reconstruct intersection as a roundabout with pedestrian facilities added across Oakdale Blvd $2,280,000
29 Coralville Oakdale Boulevard & University Parkway
Intersection Roundabout or traffic signal improvements $1,140,000
30 Coralville Highway 6 & Jones Boulevard Intersection Pedestrian facilities to connect Jones Blvd shared use path to Clear Creek Trl $608,000
31 Coralville Forevergreen Road Extension .52 mile extension of Forevergreen Rd from Naples Ave NE to North Liberty Rd NE $4,560,000
32 Tiffin Roberts Ferry Road Grade & pave street, install curb, gutter and sidewalks or trails from Ridgeway Dr north to City limits $6,840,000
33 North Liberty Forevergreen Road Extension Extension of Forevergreen Rd from 12th Avenue to Naples Ave NE $4,560,000
34 Tiffin Park Road (1-80 to City Limits - includes kansas
Avenue) Phase Two Grade & pave street, install curb, gutter and sidewalks or trails $4,560,000
35 Iowa City Iowa Avenue Culvert Repair This project will repair a box culvert that carriers Ralston Creek under Iowa Ave $804,019
36 Coralville Deer Creek Road Bridge over Clear Creek Bridge replacement $1,368,000
37 Coralville 12th Avenue and Holiday Road Roundabout and
bridge over CRANDIC Railroad
Full reconstruction at 12th Ave and Holiday Rd with replacement of bridge over CRANDIC Railroad to
provide necessary offset of roundabout east of 12th Ave.$7,600,000
Total Costs 2031-2040 $144,736,650
Estimated State and Federal Funding $146,493,960
Remaining State and Federal Funding $1,757,310
93
FISCALLY CONSTRAINED ROAD AND BRIDGE PROJECTS
2041-2050
Project descriptions and cost estimates for 2041-2050 road and bridge
projects are provided on the following page.
IOWA CITY
CORALVILLE
NORTH
LIBERTY
TIFFIN
94
ID Entity Project Title Project Description $ Cost Estimate
at Construction
1 University Heights Melrose Avenue West Improvements Streetscape and stormwater improvements, utility relocations and construct bike lanes west of Sunset St
(0.2 miles)$2,304,000
2 Coralville 5th Street Reconstruction - 10th Avenue to 12th
Avenue 0.15 mile reconstruction of 5th St from 10th Ave to 12th Ave $768,000
3 University Heights Sunset Street Improvements Streetscape and stormwater improvements, utility relocations and construct bike lanes south of Melrose
Ave (0.35 miles)$1,651,200
4 University Heights Melrose Avenue Preventative Maintenance Pavement repair within city limits $451,200
5 Coralville 22nd Avenue Reconstruction 0.45 mile reconstruction of 22nd Avenue between Hwy 6 and 10th St $3,840,000
6 Coralville 10th Street Reconstruction #3 0.5 mile reconstruction of 10th St from 22nd Ave to 25th Ave $3,168,000
7 Coralville Oakdale Boulevard Reconstruction 1 mile reconstruction of Oakdale Blvd from 12th Ave to Crosspark Rd $7,680,000
8 Iowa City Gilbert Street IAIS Underpass This project relocates the sidewalks of the Gilbert St underpass at the IAIS Railroad. The sidewalks are
moved further from the street and existing erosion problems are addressed $1,205,453
9 Coralville 12th Avenue Reconstruction #1 0.5 mile reconstruction of 12th Avenue between 8th Street and I-80 $4,032,000
10 Coralville 12th Avenue Reconstruction #2 0.4 mile reconstruction of 12th Ave between I-80 and Holiday Rd $3,840,000
11 Coralville Holiday Road Reconstruction #1 0.4 mile reconstruction of Holiday Rd between 1st Ave and Brown Deer Rd $3,840,000
12 Coralville Holiday Road Reconstruction #3 0.4 mile reconstruction of Holiday Rd from12th Ave to South Ridge Dr $3,840,000
13 University Heights Sunset Street Preventative Maintenance Pavement repair between Benton St and Melrose Ave $451,200
14 Iowa City Rohret Road - Lake Shore Drive to City Limits This project will reconstruct Rohret Rd to urban standards $6,683,443
15 Coralville Highway 6 & new 17th Avenue Intersection Extension of 17th Ave to Hwy 6 with new turn lanes and traffic signals $1,440,000
16 Tiffin 340th Street (kansas Avene to Ivy Avenue)Grade and pave street, install curb, gutter and sidewalks or trails $7,680,000
17 Tiffin Half Moon Avenue (Highway 6 north to
approximately 0.5-mile north)Grade and pave street, install curb, gutter and sidewalks or trails $7,680,000
18 Coralville Holiday Road Reconstruction #2 0.42 mile reconstruction of Holiday Rd between Brown Deer Rd and 12th Ave $4,032,000
19 Coralville Rustic Ridge Road Reconstruction 0.33 mile reconstruction of Rustic Ridge Rd from North Liberty Rd to Dubuque St $2,304,000
20 Coralville Camp Cardinal Boulevard Reconstruction 0.35 mile reconstruction of Camp Cardinal Blvd from Clear Creek to Hwy 6 $2,880,000
21 Iowa City Oakdale Boulevard - Highway 1 to Prairie Du Chien RoadThis project would construct Oakdale Blvd from Hwy 1, west to Prairie Du Chien Rd $30,375,936
22 Iowa City Oakdale Boulevard - Highway 1 to Scott Boulevard This project would construct an extension north across I-80 to a new intersection with Iowa Hwy 1 $55,296,000
23 Tiffin Village Drive (Ireland Avenue to Half Moon
Avenue)Grade and pave street, install curb, gutter and sidewalks or trails $13,440,000
24 Iowa City Traffic Signal Pre-Emption System This project will install a city-wide Geographic Information System (GIS) based traffic signal pre-emption
system for emergency vehicles.$4,501,094
Total Costs 2041-2050 $173,383,526
Estimated State and Federal Funding $175,019,431
State and Federal Funding Remaining $1,635,905
Fiscally Constrained Road & Bridge Projects 2041-2050
95
ID Entity Project Title Project Description $ Cost Estimate
at Construction
1 DOT I-80 6 Lane Project (West)Six lane 1-80 from 80/380 west to the western MPO boundary $170,496,000
Total Costs 2041-2050 $170,496,000
Estimated State and Federal Funding $253,635,314
Remaining State and Federal Funding $83,139,314
ID Entity Project Title Project Description $ Cost Estimate
at Construction
1 Iowa City Benton St - Orchard St to Oaknoll Dr This is a capacity-related improvement identified by the Arterial Street Plan $15,029,760
2 Iowa City South Arterial and Bridge - US 218 to Gilbert St Construction of a south arterial street and bridge over the Iowa River, connecting from Old Hwy 218 / US
218 interchange to the west side of the Iowa River to Gilbert St / Sycamore "L" intersection $58,934,477
Total Costs 2041-2050 $73,964,237
Illustrative Road & Bridge Projects 2041-2050
Fiscally Constrained Iowa DOT Projects 2041-2050
Date: July 5, 2023
To: Urbanized Area Policy Board
From: Hannah Neel, Associate Transportation Planner
Re: Agenda Item #4(b): Public Hearing and consideration of resolutions of adoption and
certification for the FY2024-2027 MPOJC Transportation Improvement Program
The annual Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is our local programming document for
federal and state surface transportation projects. The TIP has been updated to reflect the recent
programming of projects through federal FY2027. Since the document was published for public
comment, the Iowa DOT has submitted a few non-substantive changes that have been
incorporated. To date, we have received no public comment on the projects in the FY2024-2027
TIP.
i.Staff presentation of FY2024-2027 MPOJC Transportation Improvement Program
ii.Public Hearing
iii.Consider a resolution adopting the FY2024-2027 Transportation Improvement Program for
the Iowa City Urbanized Area, and authorizing the MPOJC Chairperson to sign associated
documents contained therein
Please be prepared to consider approval of the TIP, including the resolution of adoption
(attached).
iv.Consider a resolution certifying compliance with federal requirements for conducting the
urban transportation planning process in the Iowa City Urbanized Area
Please be prepared to consider the resolution of compliance (attached).
I will be at your July 12th meeting to present this item and answer questions.
Attached: The FY2024-2027 Transportation Improvement Program (includes resolutions and
certifications)
Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County
Fiscal Year 2024-2027
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM
Iowa City Urbanized Area
DRAFT
Adopted July 12, 2023
Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County
Fiscal Years 2024-2027
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM
For the Iowa City Urbanized Area
Adopted by the MPO Urbanized Area Policy Board
July 12, 2023
MPOJC Staff
Kent Ralston, Executive Director
Emily Bothell, Senior Associate Transportation Planner
Sarah Walz, Associate Transportation Planner
Hannah Neel, Associate Transportation Planner
Tunazzina Alam, Associate Transportation Planner
Disclaimer: The MPO prepared this report with funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s
Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration, and in part through local matching
funds of the MPO member entities. These contents are the responsibility of the MPOJC. The US
Government and its agencies assume no liability for the contents of this report or for the use of its contents.
Please call (319)356-5230 to obtain permission of use.
Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County
Urbanized Area Policy Board
Meghann Foster Mayor, Coralville
Laurie Goodrich Coralville City Council
Laura Bergus Iowa City City Council
Megan Alter Iowa City City Council
Shawn Harmsen Iowa City City Council
Pauline Taylor Iowa City City Council
John Thomas, Chair Iowa City City Council
Andrew Dunn Iowa City City Council
Jon Green Johnson County Board of Supervisors
Rod Sullivan Johnson County Board of Supervisors
Chris Hoffman Mayor, North Liberty
Brian Wayson North Liberty City Council
Steve Berner Mayor, Tiffin
Louise From, Vice-Chair Mayor, University Heights
Vacant University of Iowa
Molly Abraham (non-voting) Iowa City School Board
Transportation Technical Advisory Committee
Kelly Hayworth City Administrator, Coralville
Scott Larson City Engineer, Coralville
Vicky Robrock Manager, Coralville Transit
Darian Nagle-Gamm Director, Trans. Services, Iowa City
Mark Rummel Asst. Dir. Trans. Services, Iowa City
Ron Knoche Director, Public Works, Iowa City
Jason Havel City Engineer, Iowa City
Scott Sovers Asst. City Engineer, Iowa City
Ryan Rusnak Planning Director, North Liberty
Josiah Bilskemper City Engineer, North Liberty
Louise From Mayor, University Heights
Doug Boldt City Administrator, Tiffin
Greg Parker Johnson County Engineer
Tom Brase Director, Johnson County SEATS
Brian McClatchey Manager, University of Iowa Cambus
David Kieft Business Manager, University of Iowa
Bob Oppliger MPOJC Regional Trails & Bicycling Comm.
Cathy Cutler (ex-officio) Transportation Planner, Iowa DOT
Darla Hugaboom (ex-officio) Federal Highway Administration, Ames
Brock Grenis (ex-officio) East Central Iowa Council of Governments
Daniel Nguyen (ex-officio) Federal Transit Administration, Kansas City
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents 1
Resolution of adoption 2
Resolution certifying performance with federal transportation 3
planning process requirements
Certification of FTA financial capacity analysis statement 4
Certification of compliance with private enterprise requirements 5
Introduction 6
Project status reports 7
Regionally Significant Projects 12
Transportation Improvement Program projects 13
TIP project locations 25
Revising the Approved TIP 26
MPO Public Input Process 28
MPO project selection procedures 37
Fiscal constraint of the TIP 41
Federal Transit Administration financial analysis 47
Performance Based Planning 51
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Introduction
The MPO of Johnson County Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is the programming
document for federally funded surface transportation improvements within the Iowa City
Urbanized Area. This document includes transportation projects for all modes of surface
transportation, including street and highway, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian projects.
Transportation projects receiving federal funds are programmed in the Transportation
Improvement Program.
The following organizations have contributed to the preparation of this planning document:
• City of Coralville
• City of Iowa City
• City of North Liberty
• City of Tiffin
• City of University Heights
• Iowa Department of Transportation
• Johnson County
• University of Iowa
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Project Status Reports
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Each of the three fixed route transit providers in the metropolitan area use different mechanisms
to produce the local funding to match FTA/STA funds for local projects. Coralville Transit uses
general fund, transit levy dollars, and income from their intermodal facility to cover the local match
for projects, Iowa City Transit uses transit levy funds and intermodal facility income, and University
of Iowa Cambus uses student and parking fees. All transit projects listed in the TIP include local
funding.
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Regionally Significant Projects
Regionally Significant Projects are submitted in the TIP to ensure environmental review
throughout the project development process. Inclusion of a project in the TIP does not guarantee
federal-aid eligibility or funding. Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis when project
authorization is requested from the FHWA and the FTA. The following projects and cost estimates
represent regionally significant projects:
Coralville
• I-80/1st Avenue Interchange: $32.2 million
• Forevergreen Road extension from 12th Avenue to Naples Avenue: $3 million
• Kansas Avenue from Forevergreen Road to Highway 6: $7.5 million
Iowa City
• Dodge Street from Governor Street to Burlington Street: $14.2 million
• Taft Avenue from Lower West Branch Road to American Legion Road: $11 million
Tiffin
• Park Road from Hwy 6 to Forevergreen Road: $7.8 million (one phase remaining)
North Liberty
• Ranshaw Way (Highway 965) Corridor Forevergreen Road to Hawkeye Drive: $5.8
million (one phase remaining)
• Forevergreen Road extension from Naples Avenue to North Liberty Road: $3 million
Iowa DOT
• I-80 widening approximately from Highway 1 to County Road X 30: $53 million
• I-80/I-380 Interchange: $348 million
• I-380 widening from Forevergreen Road to Swan Lake Road: $63 million
University Heights
• Melrose Avenue improvements from Sunset Street to east city limits: $1.5 million
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*MPOJC tracks projects using the cost estimate at the time of funding allocation. The project costs are not inflated.
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TIP Project Locations
The following map shows the general project locations for all Iowa DOT projects and projects
funded with regional STBG, and TAP funds in the Iowa City Urbanized Area.
(Map produced by Iowa Department of Transportation/TPMS)
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Revising the Approved TIP
Revisions are defined as any changes to the TIP that occur outside of the annual updating
process. There are two types of changes that occur under the umbrella of revision. The first is a
major revision or “Amendment.” The second is a minor revision or “Administrative Modification.”
The MPO uses the following definitions and thresholds when determining an amendment vs. an
administrative modification.
Amendments: An amendment is a revision to the TIP that involves a major change to a project
included in the TIP, the creation of a new project, a major change in design concept, or a change
in scope or project cost.
The following criteria define the need for an amendment:
• Project Cost: Projects in which the recalculated project costs increase federal aid by more
than 30% or increase total federal aid by more than $2 million from the original amount.
• Schedule Changes: Projects added or deleted from the TIP.
• Funding Sources: Adding an additional federal funding source.
• Scope Changes: Changing the project termini, project alignment, the number of through
lanes, type of work from an overlay to reconstruction, or a change to include widening of
the roadway.
Procedural Requirements for an Amendment: Amendments are considered major
revisions and therefore have additional procedural requirements. When the TIP is amended,
MPOJC is required to conduct our adopted amendment process, including public review and
comment, re-demonstration of fiscal constraint or a conformity determination (non-exempt
projects in nonattainment and maintenance areas), review by the Transportation Technical
Advisory Committee (TTAC), and Policy Board approval. Notices announcing TIP amendments
are published in the Iowa City Press-Citizen a minimum of 15 days prior to an Urbanized Area
Policy Board meeting.
Iowa DOT sponsored projects located within the MPO planning boundary must also use the
MPO’s public participation process. Illustrative projects that are found to be regionally significant
must also be revised using the MPOJC adopted amendment process.
Administrative Modifications: A minor revision to a TIP is known as an administrative
modification. Administrative modifications include minor changes to project costs, minor changes
to funding sources, and minor changes to project phase initiation dates. Administrative
modifications are subject to re-demonstration of fiscal constraint of the TIP.
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The following criteria define the need for an administrative modification:
• Project Costs: Projects in which the recalculated project costs do not increase federal
aid by more than 30% or do not increase total federal aid by more than $2 million from the
original amount.
• Schedule Changes: Changes in schedules to projects included in the first four years of
the TIP.
• Funding Sources: Changing funding from one source to another.
• Scope changes: All changes to a project’s scope will require an amendment.
Procedural Requirements for an Administrative Modification: Administrative
modifications have simplified procedures which allow more flexibility when processing changes.
Public participation procedures are not required for administrative modifications (both local and
DOT projects).
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MPO Public Input Process
Providing opportunities for public input during planning processes ensures that future
development is informed by the interests of the community. As a result, residents of MPOJC
entities are routinely encouraged to participate in local planning processes. The following MPOJC
Public Participation Plan, in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations section §450.316
“Interested parties, participation, and consultation”, documents a process for providing citizens
and stakeholders with reasonable opportunities to be involved in the planning process.
The core public involvement opportunities for MPOJC work products include the development
and adoption of the Long Range Multi-modal Transportation Plan, the Transportation
Improvement Program, the Passenger Transportation Plan, the Transportation Planning Work
Program, and apportionment of Surface Transportation Block Grant Program and Transportation
Alternatives Program funds. Similarly, the entities of Coralville, Iowa City, North Liberty, Tiffin,
University Heights, Johnson County, and the University of Iowa each follow their own public
involvement processes when developing or updating local plans. The University of Iowa uses the
MPO’s Public Participation Plan process to satisfy the public participation requirements for its
annual Program of Projects for transit. The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) public
notice of public involvement activities and time established for public review and comment on the
TIP will satisfy the Transit Program of Projects requirements of the FTA Section 5307 Program.
Core Public Involvement Opportunities
MPOJC gathers public comment on each key work product and forwards the comments to the
Urbanized Area Policy Board and sub-committees for consideration during the decision-making
process. The following three methods form the foundation for public involvement during
development of key MPOJC products.
Public Comment Period
MPOJC staff initiates a formal public comment period lasting 30 days prior to the adoption
and/or amendment of the Long-Range Transportation Plan, the Transportation
Improvement Program (15 days minimum prior for TIP amendments), and the Passenger
Transportation Plan. During public comment periods, residents are encouraged to submit
written comments on the given topic. MPOJC staff then forwards these comments to the
MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board for consideration during the decision-making
process. Written public input may be submitted to:
Kent Ralston, Executive Director
Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County
410 E. Washington St., Iowa City, IA 52245
kent-ralston@iowa-city.org
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Urbanized Area Policy Board Public Meetings
In addition to written input, residents are encouraged to attend and provide comments at
regularly scheduled Urbanized Area Policy Board meetings where MPOJC work products
are adopted or amended.
Staff typically provides a brief presentation followed by a period for formal public comment.
Anyone wishing to provide input is given an opportunity. All comments become part of the
public record and are provided to the Urbanized Area Policy Board in full prior to action by
the Urbanized Area Policy Board. Public meetings of the Urbanized Area Policy Board are
open to the public and are subject to the Iowa’s Open Meetings Law.
MPO member entities may request a special meeting of the Urbanized Area Policy Board
to consider time sensitive amendments to the adopted Transportation Improvement
Program. This capability is intended to prevent costly delays in the project letting process.
Public Workshops/Open Houses
Public workshops are informal and open to all residents. The purpose of the workshop is
to provide information to the public and to solicit public comment. An attendance record is
kept and attendees are given the opportunity to sign up for the MPOJC mailing list. MPOJC
staff typically provides a brief presentation, share information using displays and
handouts, and interact with the public to answer questions. Public workshops are
frequently used for key MPOJC work products.
Accommodations for Special Populations
All meeting rooms are accessible by ADA standards. Additionally, any MPO documents
can be made available in alternative formats upon request. Individuals with disabilities
may request special accommodations by contacting MPOJC staff at (319) 356-5230.
Getting the Word Out About Upcoming Public Involvement Events
MPOJC uses five outlets to notify residents about upcoming public comment periods and public
workshops:
• Residents may sign-up to receive email notices of public input opportunities by visiting
www.icgov.org/e-subscriptions and completing the subscription form.
• Notices of public input opportunities are published in the Iowa City Press Citizen.
• The MPOJC website (www.MPOJC.org) lists upcoming meeting information.
• Posters are displayed Iowa City, Coralville, and University of Iowa Cambus buses
regarding TIP approval.
• Notices are sent to the following MPOJC Public Input Organizations:
❖ Access 2 Independence
❖ Allen Lund Company
❖ Bicyclists of Iowa City
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❖ Chamber of Commerce
❖ Citizens for Sensible Development
❖ Clear Creek Amana School District
❖ Iowa City Area Assoc. of Realtors
❖ Iowa City Area Development Group
❖ Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission
❖ Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center
❖ Iowa City Neighborhood Services Office
❖ Iowa City Sierra Club
❖ Iowa City School Board
❖ Iowa Interstate Railroad
❖ MPOJC Regional Trails and Bicycling Committee
❖ Johnson County Historic Preservation Commission
❖ Johnson Co. Historical Society
❖ Coralville Parks & Recreation Commission
❖ CRANDIC Railroad
❖ Environmental Advocates
❖ FAIR!
❖ Friends of the Iowa River Scenic Trail
❖ Friends of Historic Preservation
❖ Goodwill of the Heartland
❖ Iowa Bicycle Coalition
❖ Johnson County Planning and Zoning Commission
❖ Johnson County SEATS
❖ League of Women Voters of Johnson County
❖ North Liberty Parks & Recreation Commission
❖ North Liberty Community Center
❖ Project GREEN
❖ Soil & Water Conservation Service
❖ Systems Unlimited
❖ Tiffin Planning and Zoning Commission
To request being added to the MPOJC Public Input Organization list, please contact MPOJC
staff at (319) 356-5230.
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Summary of Public Participation Procedures
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Official Publication
Iowa City Press-Citizen, June 13, 2023
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County will be holding a public hearing on
the “FY2024-2027 Transportation Improvement Program” (TIP) for the Iowa City Urbanized Area.
The TIP is the programming document for all surface transportation and transit projects that
receive state or federal funds, including street & highway, transit, rail, bicycle, and pedestrian
projects in the Iowa City urbanized area. The notice of public participation activities and time
established for public review of and comments on the TIP will satisfy the transit Section 5307
Program of Projects requirements.
The public hearing will be held on July 12th, 2023 at 4:30 pm at the North Liberty City Council
Chambers, 3 Quail Creek Circle, North Liberty, IA 52317.
Information about the proposed TIP can be found at www.MPOJC.org. Interested persons are
encouraged to attend the public hearing or forward written comments by 5:00 pm, July 11th, 2023
to Hannah Neel, Associate Transportation Planner, MPOJC, 410 E. Washington St., Iowa City IA
52240; or by email at hneel@iowa-city.org. For more information on the meeting, or if you require
disability related accommodations, please contact staff at least 48 hours prior to the event.
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MPO Project Selection Procedures
Funding Allocation Process for Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG)
Program, Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), and Carbon Reduction Plan
(CRP) funds
1. Application forms for the MPO Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program,
Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), and Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) funds are
distributed to members of the MPO Transportation Technical Advisory Committee. Project
sponsors must describe the project, the modes of transportation affected, and terrain and
right-of-way needs and the funding request.
2. Summaries of projects and funding requests are distributed to the MPO transportation
planning public input process organizations, and the MPO website.
3. MPO staff evaluates and assigns scores and rankings to the projects, according to the MPO-
adopted scoring criteria.
4. MPO staff evaluates the applications to ensure the proposed projects conform with the MPO
Long Range Multi-modal Transportation Plan and that the projects are federal-aid eligible.
5. Project applications and rankings are forwarded to the MPO Transportation Technical
Advisory Committee (TTAC) that considers the applications at a public meeting. In considering
a recommendation on project funding, the TTAC consider project scores and rankings, public
input, application materials and discussion from applicants. The TTAC makes a
recommendation to the MPO Urbanized Area Policy Board on project funding.
6. A summary of the applications, project scores and rankings, public input and the TTAC funding
recommendation are forwarded to the MPO Urbanized Area Policy Board for review and
ultimately a vote on project funding. The Board will also hold a public hearing to provide
additional opportunity for public input.
7. The last step is revising the MPO Transportation Improvement Program to add projects and
funding levels consistent with the MPO Board’s decision. The Transportation Improvement
Program is approved by the Board each July.
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Surface Transportation Block Grant , Transportation Alternative
Program , and Carbon Reduction Program – Scoring Criteria
MPOJC Policy Board Approved November 16, 2022
1: Economic Opportunity – Supports metro area growth, innovation, job creation, and productivity
A. Project improves/provides direct access to planned growth area, existing jobs, or retail +5
B. Project involves more than one MPO jurisdiction +1 each (Points Possible: 7)
Total Points Possible: 12 (13%)
Score:
2: Environment1 – Preserves and protects our natural resources, including land, water and air quality
A. Project promotes air quality improvements via congestion reduction through one or more of the
following: Geometric improvements (physical improvements that improve motorist operations),
ITS/signalization improvements, Reduction of Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), Improvement to
turning movements +1 each (Points Possible: 4)
B. Project preserves the natural environment through Stormwater Management practices such as:
Incorporating permeable pavements, bioretention, soil restoration, etc. +1 each (Points
Possible: 3)
Total Points Possible: 7 (8%)
Score:
3: Quality of Life – Enhances livability and creates vibrant and appealing places that serve residents throughout
their lives
A. Project directly enhances safe route(s) to school, or improves transportation choices for locations
specifically serving multi-family developments or elderly populations +5
Total Points Possible: 5 (5%)
Score:
4: System Preservation – Maintained in good and reliable condition
A. Maintenance or improvement to existing facility/infrastructure +5
Total Points Possible: 5 (5%)
Score:
5: Efficiency – Builds a well-connected transportation network and coordinating land use patterns to reduce travel
demand, miles travelled, and fossil fuel consumption
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A. Project in a corridor with existing congestion (defined as having LOS E or F during peak hours
according to the adopted MPO Travel Demand Model) +7
B. Project in a corridor with forecasted future congestion (defined as having LOS E or F during peak
hours according to adopted MPO Travel Demand Model, LOS map is attached) +7
Total Points Possible: 14 (15%)
Score:
6: Choice – Offers multi-modal transportation options that are affordable and accessible
A. Project is on existing bus route (bus route map is attached) +3
B. Separated trail or wide sidewalk (8’ or wider) +3
C. Project reduces modal conflict (pedestrian hybrid beacons, grade separation, dedicated bicycle
lanes or sharrows, bus pull-off, etc.) +3
Total Points Possible: 9 (10%)
Score:
7: Safety – Designed and maintained to enhance the safety and security of all users
A. History involving two or more documented bicycle or pedestrian collisions in the last five years
(collision maps are attached) +7
B. Top 25 highest MPO accident locations or top 10 highest accident mid -blocks in last three years
(accident tables are attached) +7
OR
C. Sight distance or related safety issue documented by an expert (planner/engineer) +7
Total Points Possible for A&B: 14 (15%)
OR
Total Points Possible for C: 7
Score:
8: Health – Invites and enhances healthy and active lifestyles
A. Project extends regional trail network (map is attached) +3
B. Project addresses critical gap in the regional trail network +5
Total Points Possible: 8 (9%)
Score:
9: Equity2 – Provides access and opportunity for all people and neighborhoods
A. Project improves transportation network in lower-income neighborhoods +5
B. Focus of the project is to correct ADA non-compliance +3
Total Points Possible: 8 (9%)
Score:
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10: Local Commitment – Gauges local commitment to the project including local and/or state funds pledged
A. Local match 20.1% - 30% +1
B. Local match 30.1% - 40% +3
C. Local match 40.1% - 50% +5
D. Local match 50.1% - 60% +7
E. Local match 60.1% - or more +9
Total Points Possible: 9 (10%)
Score:
Total Score:
1Not used to score Transportation Alternatives Program or Carbon Reduction Program projects
2Lower-income neighborhoods are defined as being at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) by block group.
Source: American Community Survey (2019)
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Fiscal constraint of the TIP
Operations and Maintenance
To ensure the entities that comprise the MPO are capable of maintaining and operating their
transportation system, the following spreadsheets show that annual operations and maintenance
costs are less than forecasted revenues from non-federal-aid sources.
STBG, TAP, and CRP Funds Allocated
The following spreadsheets summarize the allocations of regional Surface Transportation Block
Grant Program, Transportation Alternatives Program, and Carbon Reduction Program funds
allocated to MPO communities by the MPO Urbanized Area Policy Board. The MPO Board uses
Iowa DOT funding targets to apportion regional STBG, TAP, and CRP funds.
As funding targets are adjusted and the ‘final allocation’ of regional STBG, TAP, and CRP funds
for current funding years are issued by Iowa DOT, the running total of funds granted to the MPO
are adjusted. For example, if the final allocation of STBG funds issued by Iowa DOT was larger
than the total amount of funding allocation, a surplus of funds is carried forward.
While there are fluctuations in the year-to-year comparison of programmed funds vs. funding
targets, for the four-year term of the MPO TIP the regional STBG. TAP, and CRP funds allocated
by the MPO Board are always equal to or less than the funding targets issued by Iowa DOT. In
this way, the MPO TIP is fiscally constrained for project funding under the control of the MPO
Board.
For Iowa DOT and earmark projects, the MPO TIP includes only those projects programmed by
Iowa DOT that have been allocated federal funds. In this way, the MPO TIP is fiscally constrained
for other federal aid projects that occur within the MPO transportation planning boundary.
Forecasts of Available Revenue
Each year prior to development of the Iowa DOT’s Five‐Year Program and the Statewide
Transportation Improvement Program both state and federal revenue forecasts are completed to
determine the amount of funding available for programming. These forecasts are a critical
component in the development of the Five‐Year Program and as such are reviewed with the Iowa
Transportation Commission. The primary sources of state funding to the DOT are the Primary
Road Fund and TIME-21 Fund. These state funds are used for the operation, maintenance and
construction of the Primary Road System. The amount of funding available for operations and
maintenance are determined by legislative appropriations. Additional funding is set aside for
statewide activities including engineering costs. The remaining funding is available for right of way
and construction activities associated with the highway program.
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Along with the state funds, the highway program utilizes a portion of the federal funds that are
allocated to the state. A federal funding forecast is prepared each year based on the latest
apportionment information available. This forecast includes the various federal programs and
identifies which funds are allocated to the Iowa DOT for programming and which funds are
directed to locals through the MPO/RPA planning process, Highway Bridge Program and various
grant programs. Implementation of a federal aid swap will increase the amount of federal funds
that are utilized by the Iowa DOT.
For more information regarding Iowa DOT projects programmed in the MPOJC FY2023-2026 TIP,
please refer to the Iowa DOT’s Office of Program Management’s Five-Year Program webpage:
https://iowadot.gov/program_management/Five-Year-Program
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Federal Funding By Program and Year
**Program numbers are in 1,000s
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FTA Financial Analysis
FTA Circular 7008.1, Federal Transit Administration Financial Capacity Policy, requires that all
recipients of FTA funding prepare an annual assessment of their financial condition and financial
capability. FTA has developed a set of guidelines that are used to assess the financial condition
and capability of the three fixed route transit systems in the Iowa City Urbanized Area. The main
factors covered in the assessment are trends in ridership, fare levels and revenues, non-fare
revenues, and unit costs. The analysis is a two-step process with the first step examining the
current financial condition of the transit system using historical data. The second step looks at the
likelihood that trends will continue to meet future operating and capital needs.
Indicators of current financial condition
1. Farebox revenue trends
Coralville Transit:
• The average passenger fare decreased by 2.8% between FY2021 and FY2022 to
$0.82. The average fare is expected to increase during the period of FY2024-2027
as Coralville Transit recovers from the effects of COVID-19.
• Ridership increased by 39.9% between FY2021 and FY2022. Ridership had been
declining steadily since peaking in FY2013 due to low fuel prices, area road
construction detours, and alternative transportation options. Due to COVID-19,
transit service was reduced in FY2021, but service has been restored, contributing
to the drastic increase in ridership. Quarterly numbers in FY2023 indicate that
ridership is increasing, even as it deals with the effects of COVID-19 on transit
service.
Iowa City Transit:
• The average passenger fare decreased by 11.0% between FY2021 to FY2022 to
$1.08. The average fare is expected to increase during the period FY2024-2027
as Iowa City Transit recovers from the effects of COVID-19.
• Ridership increased by 62.0% between FY2021 and FY2022. As with Coralville
Transit; low fuel prices, area road construction detours, and alternative
transportation options contributed to a steady decrease in ridership since FY2013.
However, Iowa City Transit’s ridership is also expected to continue to increase,
even as it deals with the effects of COVID-19 on transit service. Quarterly numbers
in FY2023 indicate that ridership is increasing.
University of Iowa Cambus:
• University of Iowa Cambus operates a no-fare system so revenue from the farebox
is not a factor.
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• Ridership increased by 72.4% between FY2021 and FY2022. As with Coralville
and Iowa City Transit; low fuel prices, area road construction detours, and
alternative transportation options contributed to a steady decrease in ridership
since FY2013. However, Cambus ridership is also expected to stabilize, even as
it deals with the effects of COVID-19 on transit service. Much of the ridership
recovery depends on what the University does with online class and work options.
Quarterly numbers in FY2023 indicate that ridership is increasing.
2. Non-farebox revenue trends
Coralville Transit:
• Coralville Transit saw an increase of about 0.7% in FTA operating funding in
FY2023. The apportionment of 5307 FTA funding is based on an approved
MPOJC formula. Due to the effect of COVID-19 on transit service, MPOJC used
the same apportionment formula used in FY2020 and may continue to use the
same apportion formula and data until service recovers.
• State Transit Assistance increased by 7.4% from FY2023 to FY2024. Due to the
COVID-19 effect on State revenues, funding levels are expected to increase for
the period FY2024-2027. Local tax/transit levy revenue will continue to provide
about 20.8% of Coralville Transit’s operating funding during the period FY2024-
2027, same as the period FY2023-2026.
Iowa City Transit:
• Iowa City Transit saw the same 0.7% increase in FTA operating funding in FY2023.
The apportionment of 5307 FTA funding is based on an approved MPOJC formula.
Due to the effect of COVID-19 on transit service, MPOJC used the same
apportionment formula use in FY2020 and may continue to use the same
apportionment formula and data until service recovers.
• State Transit Assistance saw the same 7.4% increase in funding from FY2023 to
FY2024. Due to the COVID-19 effect on State revenues, funding levels are
expected to increase for the period FY2024-2027. The local transit levy revenue
will provide about 51.5% of Iowa City Transit’s operating funding during the period
FY2024-2027, a slight decrease from 51.7% for the period FY2023-2026.
University of Iowa Cambus:
• University of Iowa Cambus experienced the same 0.7% increase as Iowa City and
Coralville in FY2023. The apportionment of 5307 FTA funding is based on an
approved MPOJC formula. Due to the effect of COVID-19 on transit service,
MPOJC used the same apportionment formula used in FY2020 and may continue
to use the same apportionment formula and until service recovers.
• State Transit Assistance increased by 7.3%, similar to Coralville and Iowa City
from FY2023-FY2024. Due to the COVID-19 effect on State revenues, funding
levels are expected to increase for the period FY2024-2027. For period FY2024-
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2027, 40.8% of Cambus funding comes from student fees that are paid each
semester by University of Iowa students and from transfers from the university
parking fund and other university departments.
3. Cost trends
When looking at operating costs from FY2021 to FY2022, Coralville Transit experienced
a 3.3% increase, Iowa City Transit experienced a 0.9% decrease, and University of Iowa
Cambus experienced a 0.03% decrease. The increases are attributed to rising wages and
benefits during pre-COVID-19 operations. With the extreme reduction in transit service in
FY21 and the subsequent recovery from COVID-19, operating costs will be difficult to
predict for all three systems during the FY2024-2027 period.
4. Cost effectiveness trends
Coralville Transit, Iowa City Transit, University of Iowa Cambus: Between FY2021 and
FY2022 as measured by cost per mile, Coralville Transit decreased by 0.5% from $8.09
to $8.05; Iowa City Transit cost per mile increased by 0.4% from $9.74 to $9.78; and
University of Iowa Cambus increased by 6.5% from $6.02 to $6.41.
The cost per hour for Coralville Transit decreased from $97.03 to $96.27; Iowa City
Transit’s cost per hour increased from $122.12 to $130.36; and University of Iowa Cambus
cost per hour increased from $59.99 to $61.73.
The cost per ride on Coralville Transit decreased from $8.01 in FY2021 to $5.92 in
FY2022. Iowa City Transit decreased from $12.75 to $7.80, and University of Iowa
Cambus decreased from $2.94 to $1.71.
All of the above trends normally vary from year to year depending on fluctuations in
ridership and operating costs. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed how transit
operates and creates uncertainty for the FY2024-2027 TIP period. That said, Coralville
Transit, Iowa City Transit, and UI Cambus remain three of the most efficient transit
systems in the state.
5. Likelihood of trends continuing
Based on the examination of each system’s revenue forecast and projected operating
expenses, Coralville Transit, Iowa City Transit, and University of Iowa Cambus will have
the financial capacity to maintain adequate levels of funding for the period covered by the
FY2024-2027 MPOJC Transportation Improvement Program. In addition to local, state,
and federal funding support, Iowa City Transit, Coralville Transit, and Cambus will also
receive federal support through three additional sources of enhancement funding.
CARES Act funding
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law on
March 27, 2020. As part of the CARES Act, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
allocated $25 billion to recipients of urbanized area (Section 5307 funding) and rural area
formula funds, with $22.7 billion for large and small urban areas. The State of Iowa
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received $35,898,003 in CARES Act funding which included $8,331,763 for the Iowa City
Urbanized Area to be apportioned to Iowa City Transit, Coralville Transit, and University
of Iowa Cambus for operating expenses incurred beginning on January 20, 2020.
The CARES Act apportionment was approved by the MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy
Board on May 27, 2020.
Iowa City Transit: $5,109,870
Coralville Transit: $1,318,918
University of Iowa Cambus: $1,902,975
Eligible expenses will be used to maintain current transit services as well as pay for
administrative leave for transit personnel due to reduced operations.
Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) funding
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021
(CRRSAA) was signed into law on December 27, 2020 and included $1,532,506 for the
Iowa City Urbanized Area to be apportioned to Iowa City Transit, Coralville Transit, and
University of Iowa Cambus. CRRSAA was part of the Federal Transit Administration’s
(FTA) $14 billion funding allocation to support the Nation's public transportation systems
during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The CRRSAA apportionment was approved by the MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board
on January 27, 2021.
Iowa City Transit: $939,886
Coralville Transit: $242,596
University of Iowa Cambus: $350,024
Eligible expenses will be used to maintain current transit services by prioritizing payroll
and operational needs.
American Rescue Plan Act funding
The American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law on March 11, 2021 as part of a $30.5
billion Federal funding allocation to continue support of public transit during COVID-19.
The funding included an additional $7,496,845 for the Iowa City Urbanized Area to be
apportioned to Iowa City Transit, Coralville Transit, and University of Iowa Cambus.
The American Rescue Plan Act apportionment was approved by the MPOJC Urbanized
Area Policy Board on May 26, 2021.
Iowa City Transit: $4,597,815
Coralville Transit: $1,186,751
University of Iowa Cambus: $1,712,279
Eligible expenses will be used to maintain current transit services as well as pay for
administrative leave for transit personnel due to reduced operations.
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Performance Based Planning
Highway Safety Improvement Program (PM I)
Rather than setting its own safety targets, MPOJC has chosen to support the Iowa DOT’s safety
targets as published in the most recent Iowa Highway Safety Improvement Program Annual
Report. The MPO supports those targets by reviewing and programming all Highway Safety
Improvement Program (HSIP) projects within the MPO boundary that are included in the DOT’s
Transportation Improvement Program.
Any Iowa DOT sponsored HSIP projects within the MPO area were selected based on the
strategies included in the Strategic Highway Safety Plan and safety performance measures and
were approved by the Iowa Transportation Commission. The Iowa DOT conferred with numerous
stakeholder groups, including MPOJC, as part of its target setting process. Working in partnership
with local agencies, Iowa DOT safety investments were identified and programmed which will
construct effective countermeasures to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries. The Iowa DOT
projects chosen for HSIP investment are based on crash history, roadway characteristics, and
the existence of infrastructure countermeasure that can address the types of crashes present.
The Iowa DOT continues to utilize a systemic safety improvement process rather than relying on
“hot spot” safety improvements.
Pavement and Bridge (PM II)
Rather than setting its own pavement and bridge targets, MPOJC has chosen to support the Iowa
DOT’s pavement and bridge targets as submitted in the most recent baseline period performance
report. The MPO supports those targets by reviewing and programming all Interstate and National
Highway System projects within the MPO boundary that are included in the DOT’s Transportation
Improvement Program.
Any Iowa DOT sponsored pavement and bridge projects within the MPO area were determined
in alignment with the Iowa Transportation Asset Management Plan (TAMP) and the pavement
and bridge performance measures. The TAMP connects Iowa in Motion 2050 and system/modal
plans to Iowa DOT’s Five‐Year Program and the STIP. Iowa in Motion 2050 defines a vision for
the transportation system over the next 20 years, while the Five‐Year Program and STIP identify
specific investments over the next four to five years. The TAMP has a 10‐year planning horizon
and helps ensure that investments in the Five‐Year Program and STIP are consistent with Iowa
DOT’s longer‐term vision. Starting in 2019, the TAMP also integrated the pavement and bridge
performance targets.
The Iowa DOT conferred with numerous stakeholder groups, including MPOJC and local owners
of NHS assets, as part of its target setting process. The methodology used to set targets used
current and historical data on condition and funding to forecast future condition. Asset
management focuses on performing the right treatment at the right time to optimize investments
and outcomes. Management systems are utilized to predict bridge and pavement needs and help
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determine the amount of funding needed for stewardship of the system. The TAMP discusses the
major investment categories that the Iowa DOT Commission allocates funding through. Once the
Iowa DOT Commission approves the funding for these categories, Iowa DOT recommends the
allocation of the funds to specific projects using the processes described in the TAMP. Pavement
and bridge projects are programmed to help meet the desired program outcomes documented in
the TAMP.
System and Freight Reliability (PM III)
Rather than setting its own system and freight reliability targets, MPOJC has chosen to support
the Iowa DOT’s system and freight reliability targets as submitted in the most recent baseline
period performance report. The MPO supports those targets by reviewing and programming all
Interstate and National Highway System projects within the MPO boundary that are included in
the DOT’s Transportation Improvement Program.
The Iowa DOT conferred with numerous stakeholder groups, including MPOJC, as part of its
target setting process. Variability within the existing travel time dataset was used to forecast future
condition. Projects focused on improving pavement and bridge condition also often help improve
system reliability and freight movement. Additional projects focused specifically on improving
these areas of system performance are developed in alignment with the target‐setting process for
related performance measures, and the freight improvement strategies and freight investment
plan included in the State Freight Plan. This plan includes a detailed analysis and prioritization of
freight bottlenecks, which are locations that should be considered for further study and possibly
for future improvements. The process also involved extensive input from State, MPO, RPA, and
industry representatives. State projects identified in the freight investment plan and programmed
in the STIP were highly‐ranked freight bottlenecks.
Transit Asset Management Performance Based Planning
Public transit capital projects included in the STIP align with the transit asset management (TAM)
planning and target setting processes undertaken by the Iowa DOT, transit agencies, and MPOs.
The Iowa DOT establishes a group TAM plan and group targets for all small urban and rural
providers while large urban providers establish their own TAM plans and targets. Investments are
made in alignment with TAM plans with the intent of keeping the state’s public transit vehicles and
facilities in a state of good repair and meeting transit asset management targets. The Iowa DOT
allocates funding for transit rollingstock in accordance with the Public Transit Management
System process. In addition, the Iowa DOT awards public transit infrastructure grants in
accordance with the project priorities established in Iowa Code chapter 924. Additional state and
federal funding sources that can be used by transit agencies for vehicle and facility improvements
are outlined in the funding chapter of the Transit Manager’s Handbook. Individual transit agencies
determine the use of these sources for capital and operating expenses based on their local needs.
As part of the development of the TAM Plan, Iowa City Transit, Coralville Transit, and University
of Iowa Cambus established performance measure targets for rolling stock, equipment, and
facilities. The targets used “useful life” and “condition” benchmarks to measure performance
annually. The performance targets included:
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• Equipment (non-revenue service vehicles over $50,000 in acquisition value) State of
Good Repair Target - Percentage of Vehicles (maintenance trucks/maintenance
equipment) that have met or exceeded their Useful Life Benchmark.
• Facilities State of Good Repair Target with an asset class rated below 3.0 (5 being
excellent) on the TERM (Transit Economic Requirements Model) Scale.
• Rolling Stock State of Good Repair Target - Percentage of Revenue Vehicles within a
particular asset class that have met or exceeded their Useful Life Benchmark.
• Infrastructure Is not applicable.
MPOJC adopted the local transit agency performance targets at the September 2017 Urbanized
Area Policy Board meeting. MPOJC will be required to reflect the adopted performance measures
and targets in all Long-Range Transportation Plans and Transportation Improvement Programs
and report on progress toward those targets. The Urbanized Area Policy Board assures that the
MPO will work cooperatively with the State of Iowa and the respective targets for regional transit
asset management and will work cooperatively with Iowa City Transit, Coralville Transit, and
University of Iowa Cambus to support the local fixed route systems’ respective targets through
the comprehensive, continuing and cooperative metropolitan transportation planning process,
including activities related to collection of data, tracking, and reporting toward attainment of critical
outcomes in the Iowa City Metropolitan Planning Area.
Transit Safety Performance Based Planning
Public transit capital projects included in the STIP align with the transit safety planning and target
setting processes undertaken by the transit agencies and MPOs. While the Iowa DOT provided
assistance with the development of initial Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans (PTASPs),
each large urban transit provider is responsible for implementing its PTASP, which includes transit
safety targets. Investments are made in alignment with PTASPs with the intent of keeping the
state’s public transit operations, vehicles, and facilities safe and meeting transit safety targets.
State and federal funding sources that can be used by transit agencies for operations, vehicles,
and facility improvements are outlined in the funding chapter of the Transit Manager’s Handbook.
Individual transit agencies determine the use of these sources for capital and operating expenses
based on their local needs.