Submitted By
Bill McKenna, Village Engineer
Reviewed By
LKS
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Authorizing the Submission of a United States Department of Transportation TIGER 2017 Discretionary Grant Application for the Harlem Avenue Multimodal Bridge Project
End
Overview
Overview
This resolution authorizes staff to submit an application of a United States Department of Transportation TIGER 2017 Discretionary Grant for the replacement of the Harlem Avenue Bridge between South Boulevard and North Boulevard. The application would be a joint effort with both River Forest and Forest Park.
Body
Staff Recommendation
Approve the Resolution.
Fiscal Impact
The preliminary cost estimates for the project is approximately $27 million for design and construction. The TIGER grant is requested to cover up to 80% of the costs for this project. The remaining local share of the project is proposed to be shared between the Village of Oak Park, River Forest, and Forest Park. The Village of Oak Park would provide 50% of the local match which is estimated to be approximately $2.7 million and River Forest and Forest Park would each provide a 25% match for approximately $1.35 million each. Should the grant be awarded design work would begin in 2018 with construction starting in 2020. Final expenditures for the project would likely be in 2022.
Background
The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) recently announced $500 million will be made available for transportation projects under an ninth round of Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) competitive grant program. In 2014, 2015, and 2016, the Village of Oak Park along with the Villages of River Forest and Forest Park submitted a joint application for the replacement of the Harlem Avenue viaduct between North and South Boulevards.
The grant application is due by October 16th and is currently being prepared by staff with the assistance of Sam Schwartz Engineering. This year’s application will update and revise the previous application to strengthen the case for the proposed project. The 2016 grant application is attached for reference since the current application is in draft format.
The proposed Harlem Avenue Multimodal Bridge Project consists of the replacement of the existing bridge, the lowering of the Harlem roadway to provide for required clearances, and pedestrian and aesthetic enhancements that will transform this deteriorated bridge into a gateway for the three Villages. The new bridge will feature a clear span from viaduct wall to viaduct wall with no columns. The removal of the columns will not only improve the aesthetics but also improve traffic flow on Harlem. Sidewalk, lighting, and decorative treatments will enhance the pedestrian experience under and around the bridge.
In 2006 the Village of River Forest received Federal grant funds for the phase I engineering study for this project. The Villages of Oak Park, River Forest, and Forest Park entered into an agreement to cover the 20% local share of the phase I engineering for this project which is substantially complete.
The bridge is located at the intersecting border of the three communities with ½ of the bridge located in Oak Park, ¼ located in River Forest, and ¼ located in Forest Park. Funding for the local share of this project is based on this same breakdown.
Alternatives
The Village could decline the opportunity to submit a grant application for this project.
Previous Board Action
On April 7, 2014, on May 18, 2015, and on April 18, 2016, the Village Board authorized the submission of TIGER grants for the same Harlem Avenue Multimodal Bridge Project.
On February 19, 2008 the Village entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement with River Forest and Forest Park for the Phase I engineering for this project.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
Should the Village of Oak Park be awarded a TIGER grant for this project future capital improvement budgets would need to establish funding for this project. Various agreements with the State, River Forest, and Forest Park would need to be entered into as well as engineering and construction contracts.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
The TIGER Grant application of the proposed project is a collaborative effort of the Villages of Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park.
Performance Management (MAP) Alignment
This work is in alignment with the Governance Priority for the Department of Public Works for Infrastructure/Capital Programs.