Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution provides the required support to authorize the WisDOT Transportation Alternatives Grant for the West Towne Path project as planned within Engineering Pedestrian & Bicycle capital improvement plan (CIP). If awarded, a separate resolution will authorize acceptance of the grant funds for the project. The grant funds are currently budgeted in the CIP for path construction in years 2020-2022. The project scope in the adopted 2018 CIP for the West Towne Path construction includes a half mile long path from connecting the existing West Town Path at Struck Street to the Ice Age Junction Path at S. Junction Road.
Title
Supporting a 2018-2022 Transportation Alternatives Program grant for the West Towne Path (All Saints Segment) project.
Body
PREAMBLE
The City of Madison endeavors to provide its citizens with a robust, sustainable, multi-modal transportation system, including a major emphasis on bicycling and walking as viable and desirable modes of travel. The City has made major investments in bicycling and walking infrastructure and this priority is reflected in current budgets. Many of the City’s important existing bike-related infrastructure projects were successfully completed with Federal Transportation Enhancements (TE) funding participation in partnership with WisDOT, and the City continues to seek Federal funding for planned major bicycle or pedestrian infrastructure projects.
The West Towne Path All Saints Segment is located just southwest of the major retail commercial / employment area on the West side of Madison and immediately west of a large, predominantly multi-family residential area. At its western terminus, it will connect to the existing Ice Age Junction Path at South Junction Road and will run eastward approximately 2000 feet to a proposed path on the west side of High Point Road and north side of Watts Road. At this eastern terminus at Watts Road, the All Saints Segment will ultimately be a part of a path network extending along the Beltline and connecting to a blend of numerous business parks and retail centers including both West Towne Mall and West Gate Mall with further connections to residential neighborhoods. The All Saints Segment itself is in close proximity to commercial areas, employment centers, and multifamily residential housing including senior living facilities. The proposed path will have a 10-foot wide asphalt pavement with 2-foot wide grass shoulders on a crushed stone base and will utilize retaining walls where significant grading issues occur.
The Engineering Division has submitted an application to WisDOT for federal funding under the 2018-2022 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). Projects selected for funding applications have been planned in coordination with other city agencies and are included in City’s current adopted multi-year budget. A support resolution is required to be eligible for the grant.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Common Council fully support the grant for Federal funds under the 2018-2022 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) for the West Towne Path (All Saints Segment) project.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Engineer and Finance Director is hereby authorized to accept a Transportation Alternatives Grant for the West Towne Path (All Saints Segment) if awarded.