HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.21.19 TTAC MinutesMPOJC TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPROVED
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2019 – 10:30 AM
EMMA HARVAT HALL, IOWA CITY, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Dan Holderness, Vicky Robrock
Iowa City: Simon Andrew, Ron Knoche, Mark Rummel,
Scott Sovers
Johnson County: Tom Brase, Greg Parker
North Liberty: None
Tiffin: Doug Boldt
University Heights: Louise From
University of Iowa: Brian McClatchy
RTBC: Bob Oppliger
Iowa DOT: Newman Abuissa
ECICOG: None
STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Brad Neumann, Sarah Walz, Frank Waisath, Ian
Klopfenstein
OTHERS PRESENT: None
1. CALL TO ORDER; RECOGNIZE ALTERNATES; CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MEETING
MINUTES
Neumann called the meeting to order at 10:30 AM.
Scott Sovers of Iowa City was recognized as an alternate for Jason Havel. Newman Abuissa
of the Iowa DOT was recognized as an alternate for Cathy Cutler.
From moved to approve the meeting minutes, Knoche seconded the motion. The motion
carried unanimously.
2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
3. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD
REGARDING APPROVAL OF THE FY2020 MPOJC TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
WORK PROGRAM
Ralston indicated that each member was given a copy of the FY2020 MPOJC Work Program
for review. Previously, TTAC recommended approval of the project list. The Work Program
includes all projects requested by member entities as well as general projects and procedures
required by the Iowa DOT, the FHWA, and the FTA. Ralston requested that the TTAC review
the project list and indicate any modifications necessary.
Ralston further indicated that an additional project had been added to the Work Program since
the TTAC saw the project list last. The project added is the completion of a traffic study of
Forevergreen Road west of I-380 at the request of the City of North Liberty. Ralston pointed
out that the RTBC member list on page 9 of the project list included a few errors, Brian Loring
had been omitted from the list and Bob Oppliger was identified as a member of the Think
Bicycles instead of the Bicyclists of Iowa City. These have since been rectified within the final
Work Program up for consideration.
Ralston requested a recommendation of the FY2020 MPOJC Transportation Planning Work
Program to the Board. Holderness moved for approval of the recommendation. McClatchy
seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
4. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD
REGARDING AMENDMENTS TO THE ADOPTED FY2019-2022 MPOJC
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (TIP)
Neumann explained that the City of Iowa City had requested two amendments to the FY2019
TIP, which had been previously approved in July 2018. The request is to include two Highway
Bridge Program projects; one on 2nd Avenue and another on Gilbert Street. Both projects have
received funding from the Iowa DOT and the amendments need to be added to t he FY2019
TIP to accept the funding. Once approved, these project allocations will carry over to FY2020.
Neumann indicated that staff is seeking recommendation for approval of the amendments.
Brase moved to recommend approval of the amendments to the FY2019 MPOJC TIP.
McClatchy seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
5. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD
REGARDING DRAFT FY2020-2023 MPOJC TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM (TIP) PROJECTS
Neumann stated that the updated MPOJC TIP will include all federal and state transportation
projects for FY2020-2023. Any project that is included in the FY2019 program that is not
completed during FY2019 will carry over to the new TIP with 4% added to the total cost of
those projects per Iowa DOT requirements. Any project currently under contract has been
removed.
Neumann indicated that there are two new Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG)
projects which were awarded in March, including Coralville’s 5th Street project ($1.65 million
in funding) and Tiffin’s North Park Road project ($1.2 million in funding). Both projects are
programmed for FY2023. Iowa City’s Dodge Street Improvement Project was awarded $3.75
million in funding and is programmed for FY2024, which will be placed in the following year’s
TIP.
Neumann further indicated that three new Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) projects
have been added. These include Coralville’s Iowa River Trail Replacement Project ($548,000)
programmed for FY2021, Iowa City’s Hwy 6 Trail Project ($438,000) programmed for FY2021,
and Coralville’s Clear Creek Trail Connection Project ($212,000) programmed for FY2022.
North Liberty received $648,000 for their North Liberty Road Trail Project, which is
programmed for FY2024.
The Iowa River Trail Project had previously received funding and is receiving an additional
allocation. The North Liberty Road Trail Project is scheduled in FY2024.
Neumann noted that the transit TIP is also included and has been updated to reflect the
operating apportionments made in January as well as the projects approved from the Transit
Program of Projects List. The 5307/5310 funding was increased per the DOT’s request to
allow for more funding from the federal government to be received.
Knoche inquired about funding for the Coralville Iowa River Trail Project (#33926) and the
seeming discrepancy between STBG and TAP funding levels. Neumann indicated that staff
tracks allocations and that since the project is receiving funds from multiple sources, it appears
as having multiple values in the summary.
Brase moved to approve the recommendation to the Board. Holderness seconded the motion.
The motion carried unanimously.
6. UPDATE ON THE CRANDIC PASSENGER RAIL STUDY
Neumann indicated that staff is still working with HDR Consultants, Iowa DOT, and CRANDIC
to rectify issues surrounding the usage of the proposed ridership model and ridership survey.
HDR has stated that in order to complete the study the contract cost may double. The Iowa
DOT has indicated that it may provide additional funding, HDR has not indicated they would
participate financially.
The ridership survey will have to be conducted in the fall once school is back in session. Any
results are still at least a year out. Neumann indicated that the Iowa DOT Commission rode
the Hawkeye Express train from downtown Iowa City to North Liberty on May 13th. Community
stakeholders and officials were invited and the purpose of the ride was to provide visualization
for passenger rail prospects along the corridor.
7. OTHER BUSINESS
Neumann pointed out that the Railroad Revolving Loan and Grant Program funding availability
was attached in the meeting packet, along with the State Recreation Trails Program funding
availability. The BUILD grant is available (previously known as TIGER) as well as the Bus and
Bus Facility Program funding are available, both are competitive grant programs. Bus and Bus
Facility grants are due June 21st and BUILD grants are due July 15th. Ralston indicated that
the Railroad Revolving Loan and Grant Program is due on June 21st and the State
Recreational Trails Program is due on July 1st. Staff is available to answer any questions or
write any letters of support necessary.
Neumann indicated that Emily Bothell, Senior Transportation Engineering Planner, is currently
on maternity leave and will return in the fall.
Brase indicated that the county is performing routine maintenance and replacement of
roadways.
McClatchy indicated that the CAMBUS garage renovations are underway and will hopefully
be complete before the start of classes.
Oppliger stated that the Iowa City Community School District will be piloting a bic yclist
education program for fifth-grade students in the fall. The end goal of this program is to start
bicyclist education in second grade with programs continuing throughout junior high.
From indicated that the groundbreaking ceremony for the new hotel is tentatively scheduled
for June 6th.
Sovers explained that Phase II of the Pedestrian Mall Improvements kicked off the previous
week through the College Street corridor. For the Mormon Trek Boulevard 4-to-3 lane
conversion, work is being done to correct traffic signals and perform pavement patching with
the anticipated finish date being in a month. Burlington Street and Clinton Street curb ramps
have been poured and the signals are functional. W aiting on pavement markings for
completion of the 4-to-3 lane conversion. Governor Street overlays have been completed and
the project is almost complete. Improvements are underway on Riverside Drive between
Rocky Shore Drive and Benton Street. Knoche further indicated that the walls are up on the
new public works building on S Gilbert Street and that construction on that project is moving
along as expected.
Holderness indicated that the 1st Avenue improvements will be complete on Friday, May 24th.
Improvements to Coral Ridge Avenue between Oakdale Boulevard and Forevergreen Road
are underway with an anticipated completion date of the end of June. The Clear Creek Trail
has been paved through Creekside Ball Park, with the remaining connections through Tiffin
to be paved following the completion of the I-80/I-380 interchange project. The Iowa DOT
Commission confirmed that the 1st Avenue/I-80 interchange is included in their 5-year plan.
Boldt explained that Tiffin’s roundabout installation project has been delayed due to inclement
weather. At the intersection of Ireland Avenue and Highway 6, bases have been poured for
signals and full intersection signalization should come soon.
Abuissa confirmed that the ramps for the I-380/Forevergreen Road interchange are scheduled
to be built this summer. The Forevergreen Road bridge over I-380 will be rebuilt and traffic
will be diverted onto the ramps during this process. In order to accommodate for the expedition
of the I-80/I-380 Interchange Project, all non-related Iowa DOT projects have been scheduled
for FY2021 to compress the timeframe of the interchange by two years. Construction of piers
and grading is currently underway at the interchange. Abuissa further indicated that the
widening of I-80 through West Branch is scheduled for FY2021 with property owner and
stakeholder meetings scheduled for June.
Rummel indicated that Iowa City Transit is currently in the process of awarding their Transit
Route Study to a consultant and that the timeline for this project will be one to two years.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Holderness moved to adjourn. Rummel seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned by Neumann at 11:00 AM.