Title
Transportation Update
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Summary and Background Information:
Transportation issues in and near Commerce City continue to be a focal point for staff. Progress continues to be made on these projects, and staff wants to update the City Council on the status of these projects. Project areas include the following topics:
• CDOT RAMP (new): There are a number of projects that staff initially considered for submission. CDOT has published criteria to gauge our project ideas against. All projects will be presented, and how our project ideas measure up will be discussed.
1. Highway 2 Widening - 72nd to I-76: This project will widen Highway 2 to 4 lanes and the City would take over ownership and maintenance of the highway. The project is estimated to cost $25.5 million.
2. 104th Widening - Highway 85 to Riverdale Road: This project will widen 104th Avenue to 4 lanes, and the City will take over ownership and maintenance from Highway 2 west to Brighton Boulevard. Adams County, Thornton, and Commerce City are submitting this project jointly, and all will take ownership of their respective sections of the roadway at the conclusion. The project is estimated to cost $70 million.
3. Hwy 6/85 - 60th Avenue Interchange: The project will reconstruct the intersection with a grade separation to improve the overall flow of traffic. This project is proposed to be tied in with the I-270 widening. The project is estimated to cost $38.5 million.
4. I-76 and Highway 224 (E. 74th Ave) Interchange: This project will add the two ramps missing to make this a complete interchange. The cost for this project is to be determined.
5. Highway 85 and 120th Avenue Interchange: This project will provide a grade separation of Highway 85 from 120th Avenue and improve the overall traffic flow on both roadways. Traffic on 120th Avenue will be elevated over both Highway 85 and the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR). This is a joint project between Adams County, Brighton, and Commerce City. The project is estimated to cost $33 million.
6. I-270 Widening: This project will add two managed-lanes (toll lanes) to I-270. Initially, the lanes will be used as the extra capacity needed for the detour route during the reconstruction of I-70. The cost of the project is to be determined.
• RTD FasTracks (existing): RTD has determined that an unsolicited proposal to construct the North Metro Line is viable and is proceeding with a Request for Proposal (RFP). This has implications for the Commerce City station.
o There are a total of 8 stations on the North Metro rail line
o Stations Locations:
- National Western (funded, design underway)
- East 72nd Avenue (funded, design underway)
- East 88th Avenue (EIS/ROD approval, no design or funding)
- East 104th Avenue (" " ")
- East 112th Avenue (" " ")
- East 124th Avenue (" " ")
- East 144th Avenue (" " ")
- East 162nd Avenue/SH 7 (end of line) (" " ")
o The rail line is 18 miles in length
o Jurisdictions involved:
- Denver
- Commerce City
- Thornton
- Northglenn
- Adams County
o Total estimated cost: $909 to 918 million
o Funding is set for the first segment; Denver Union Station (DUS) to National Western Stock Show
- Cost is estimated to be $150 million
o Design has started from the National Western Stock Show to East 72nd Avenue
- Cost is estimated to be $200 million
o The remaining section from East 72nd Avenue to East 162nd Avenue is waiting for funding
- Cost is estimated to be $559 to 568 million
Local Government Match:
o As part of the original vote, local governments are collectively responsible for 2.5% local match cost sharing
o Five jurisdictions along the North Metro Line (Adams County, Thornton, Commerce City, Denver, and Northglenn)
o Collectively, responsible for approximately $22.725 million local match
o Match can be in kind services or required capital improvements
MOU Highlights:
o The total local match is based on a project cost of $909 million (2010 APE)
o Using 2.5% the total local match is $22.725 million
o Jurisdictions took the approach of identifying projects and in-kind improvements, use tax, staff time, etc.
o Commerce City identified a major improvement (secondary access) at a cost of $4.7 million
o There is an initial commitment to use $7.4 million in TIP funds from DRCOG to be used towards local match
o The amount of funds from DRCOG will be allocated to each jurisdiction for projects, but will require a 20% local match for TIP funding
o Other jurisdictions local match:
- Denver - $5 million
- Thornton - $7.5 million
- Adams County - $3 million
- Northglenn - $2.525 million
o Here is how it breaks down for Commerce City:
- $4.7 million investment transportation and pedestrian mobility improvements around the station (currently $4 million in CIPP)
- Projected collection of $2.74 million in use tax collected from RTD (based on estimated construction costs)
- $1.53 million from DRCOG TIP funds (20% local match of $306,000)
- Balance of $430,000 due to complete funding improvements (may be used for DRCOG local match)
• DIA - Tower/Pena Ramp (existing): Progress was made with federal officials during the NLC conference in Washington DC. Meetings are continuing at the local level.
As projects in these areas progress, decisions will need to be made. Cost sharing by the City may be necessary in order to facilitate an improvement, and in some cases, the City may take ownership and maintenance responsibility.
Staff Responsible (Department Head): Jim Hayes/Chris Cramer/Daren Sterling
Staff Member Presenting: Jim Hayes, Deputy City Manager
Financial Impact: N/A
Funding Source: N/A
Staff Recommendation: Discussion only