Title
Consider and take action on a resolution authorizing the submission of applications to Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) for construction funding related to the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program (Executive Director of Developmental Services)
Background:
Approval of this item will authorize the submission of projects made on October 7, 2024, to the H-GAC STBG program for construction funding.
H-GAC and TxDOT monitor projects within the 4-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) timeframe by conducting quarterly meetings with project sponsors. The meetings are conducted for projects funded with Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Fund (CMAQ), STBG Funds, and Transportation Alternative Set Aside Funds (TASA). H-GAC identified several projects within these funding categories that are taking longer to than expected. The delay encountered with these projects means that these funding accounts exceed 200% of the annual allocation which is against the State adopted regulations and that without viable projects in our area, the unspent funds could be reallocated to other areas in the State and/or reduce the amount of funding typically awarded to H-GAC in these funding categories.
To be eligible for these “spend down” funds, the project must be ready to move into construction no later than August 2026. H-GAC had a total of 60 eligible projects valued at approximately $335Million to review. City Staff met with H-GAC in early October to see if any projects currently listed in the City’s CIP program would be eligible for these “spend-down” funding categories. Around October 15th, Staff was notified that the following projects were eligible and would be recommended for STBG funding:
· City CIP Project #10: TxDOT Roadway Intersection Improvements. This project will design, and construct turn lane improvements at the SH 96 and FM 270 intersection and at the FM 270 intersections with Austin, Webster, Coryell. The project will also allow for ...
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