City of Grand Forks Staff Report

City of Grand Forks Staff Report Committee of the Whole November 27, 2017 City Council December 4, 2017 Agenda Item: Federal Transportation Funding Request Highway Safety Improvement Program Submitted by: Engineering Department, David J. Kuharenko, PE (Principal Civil Engineer) Staff Recommended Action: Approve the 2019 Highway Safety Improvement Program project funding request and direct staff to submit the approved list in rank order to the Grand Forks East Grand Forks Metropolitan Planning Organization for submission to the North Dakota Department of Transportation BACKGROUND: The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) is soliciting projects to be funded by their Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) program. This program provides Federal grant funding from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and administered through the NDDOT. To be considered for Federal funding these projects must be vetted and approved by City Council and forwarded onto the Grand Forks/East Grand Forks Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for consideration by December 6, 2017. After considering possible projects for funding under this program, staff recommends submitting the following projects: School Flashing Beacons Upgrade - $700,000 Traffic Signal 32 nd Ave S (Bus US 81) & S 17 th St - $800,000 The HSIP has approximately $12 million for the statewide solicitation and historically there has not been enough funding available for every application. This is a 90% reimbursement for construction and construction engineering program. If the application is approved, the project will be added to the City s Transportation Improvement Plan. Projects will compete against each other and projects submitted by other entities throughout the state. Projects that are eligible for funding under this program are those that would improve a hazardous road or address a highway safety problem with emphasis placed on intersections listed on the annual NDDOT High Crash Report, or low cost systemic improvements identified in the Local Road Safety Program (LRSP). K:\Staff Reports\2017\7676 2022 HSIP.doc

Projects previously approved for Federal funding under this program include: 2017 S Columbia Rd & 17 th Ave S Right Turn Lanes 2017 Countdown Pedestrian Heads 2018 School Sign Replacement 2019 Red Light Confirmation Indicators on Gateway Dr 2019 Advanced Pedestrian Walk Timing on Columbia Rd and 42 nd St Corridors 2019 32 nd Ave S Corridor Improvements The NDDOT compiles an annual list of the intersections in the urban and rural areas of North Dakota having the highest number and severity of crashes. These lists include the top 50 highest rated urban and the top 50 highest rated rural intersections in the state using data from the previous three years. The following is a list of intersections in Grand Forks included in the top 50 urban high crash intersection report: High Crash Intersection Report Rank Intersection 2017 2016 2015 2014 S Columbia Rd & 17th Ave S #10 #21 #33 #47 32nd Ave S & S 34th St #11 #13 #16 #10 Washington St & 17th Ave S #14 #18 #44 * Washington St & Demers Ave #24 #14 #2 #2 32nd Ave S & S 20th St #26 * #13 #17 32nd Ave S & S Columbia Rd #31 #47 #39 #33 32nd Ave S & S 31st St #40 #39 #39 #32 32nd Ave S & Washington St #44 * * * Demers Ave & S 42nd St #46 #36 #28 * S Columbia Rd & 13th Ave S * * #47 * *Intersections not ranked in the top 50 urban intersections that year Most of the intersections included in the above list have had improvements made to improve safety or have projects scheduled to improve safety. Knowing that most of these intersections have been or will soon be addressed, it is suggested to apply for a project to improve the flashing school beacon system and installation of a traffic signal. The City of Grand Forks has 22 locations with flashing school beacons throughout the city. These beacons are manually programmed at each individual location annually by city staff to flash during the morning start, lunchtime release, and afternoon release. Currently these beacons have outdated controllers installed. This project may include the following: New controllers, new pedestrian actuated beacon capabilities, conduit, electrical cable, and may include the relocation of a few controller cabinets. The intersection of 32 nd Ave S (Bus US 81) and S 17 th St is currently budgeted in the City s Capital Improvement Plan where a total of $750,000 has been budgeted in 2019 for the project. This intersection was constructed similarly to other intersections on 32 nd Ave S with negatively offset left turn lanes. Recent traffic signal warrant analysis of this intersection also indicates that a traffic signal is warranted for this intersection. This project is proposed to realign the left turn lanes, install traffic signals and pedestrian crosswalks. By applying for HSIP funding for this signal the City can better leverage its local dollars with Federal grant funding. Ideally this project would coincide with the programmed 2019 32 nd Ave Corridor Improvements; however, this project can be done as a standalone project as well. K:\Staff Reports\2017\7676 2022 HSIP.doc

ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS OF FACT: The project presented by staff is believed to meet the program requirements. Council approval is required prior to submittal to the MPO by December 6, 2017. Thereafter it will to go before the MPO Technical Advisory Committee meeting on December 13, and MPO Executive Board meeting on December 20, and then be forwarded to the NDDOT. HSIP Federal Funds may be eligible for preliminary engineering, construction engineering, and construction costs. It is anticipated that the cost sharing of the proposed flashing beacon project will be 90% Federal/10% City with the City share being funded from the Street/Infrastructure Fund 4815. It is anticipated that the cost sharing of the proposed traffic signal project will be 90% Federal/5% State/5% City with the City share being funded from the Street/Infrastructure Fund 4815. SUPPORT MATERIALS: 2018-2022 HSIP Federal Funding Project List with Cost Estimates (1 page) Project Location Map (1 page) Relevant Pages from the NDDOT Letter of October 12, 2017 Requesting HSIP Projects for Fiscal Years 2022 (3 pages) K:\Staff Reports\2017\7676 2022 HSIP.doc

HSIP REQUESTS CITY PROJECT SUMMARY 2018-2022 GRAND FORKS NORTH DAKOTA SUBMITTED IN 2017 Allen Grasser DATE: 11/21/2017 701.746.2640 FISCAL YEAR CATEGORY TYPE OF WORK PROJECT LOCATION TOTAL FEDERAL, STATE AND CITY MATCH FEDERAL SHARE STATE SHARE CITY MATCH CITY OTHER R/W MISC TOTAL CITY COST TOTAL PROJECT COST 2018 HSIP Signing Grand Forks School Sign Replacement $45,000 $40,500 $0 $4,500 $0 $0 $4,500 $45,000 2019 HSIP 2019 HSIP Signal Improvements Signal Improvements 2019 HSIP Turn Lanes 2022 HSIP-1 Flashing Beacons Grand Forks-State, Urban & City Rds inclds Red Light Confirmation Indicators on US 2 Advanced Pedestrian Walk on the 42nd St Advanced Pedestrian Walk on Columbia Rd and Retroreflective Backplates at signals Advanced Pedestrian Walk on the 42nd St and Columbia Corridors and Retroreflective Backplates at numerous traffic signals 32nd Ave S (I-29 to S Washington St) Left Turn Lane Realignment Flashing Yellow Arrows Signal Revisions Upgrading 22 flashing school crossings with pedestrian actuation and controllers (Phase 1) $126,000 $19,170 $1,955 $104,875 $0 $0 $104,875 $126,000 $152,000 $91,710 $0 $60,290 $0 $0 $60,290 $152,000 $7,373,000 $6,635,000 $369,000 $369,000 $0 $0 $369,000 $7,373,000 $700,000 $630,000 $0 $70,000 $0 $0 $70,000 $700,000 2022 HSIP-2 Traffic Signal Left Turn Lane Realignment 32nd Ave S (Bus US 81) & S 17th St Traffic Signal and Left Turn Lane Realignment $800,000 $720,000 $40,000 $40,000 $0 $0 $40,000 $800,000 2018-2022 Totals $9,196,000 $8,136,380 $410,955 $648,665 $0 $0 $648,665 $9,196,000 Note: Newly requested projects are shown in bold text.

17th AVE N N 48th ST I29 N 42nd ST 27th AVE N US 2 GATEWAY DR N COLUMBIA RD CH 81 STATE MILL RD Gateway Dr Corridor Red Light Confirmation Indicators N 55th ST UNIVERSITY AVE DEMERS AVE 25th ST N DEMERS Columbia Rd Corridor Leading Pedestrian Interval UNIVERSITY AVE AVE N 5TH ST 42nd St Corridor Leading Pedestrian Interval S 48th ST S 30th ST 10th AVE S I29 17th AVE S S 42nd ST S COLUMBIA RD 24th AVE S S WASHINGTON ST 32nd AVE S BELMONT RD 2022-32nd Ave S & S 17th St Traffic Signal & Left Turn Lane Realignment 32nd Ave S Corridor Improvements 36th AVE S 40th AVE S 2018- Retro Reflective School Sign Citywide Retro Reflective Back Plates Citywide 2022- Flashing Pedestrian School Crossing Upgrades S COLUMBIA RD 47th AVE S S WASHINGTON ST BELMONT RD PROJECTS CURRENTLY PROGRAMMED PROJECTS PROPOSED TO BE PROGRAMMED 62nd AVE S CITY OF GRAND FORKS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Highway Safety Improvement Program Requests City Project Summary 2018-2022 Grand Forks North Dakota Submitted in 2017 DATE 11/21/2017 SCALE NTS CITY PROJECT 7676 PAGE 1 of 1

MEMO TO: All NDDOT Districts NDDOT Safety Division NDDOT Local Government Division ND LTAP City Engineers (12 major cities) MPO / COG, ND Counties, ND League of Cities Spirit Lake Reservation Clarence Greene Standing Rock Nation Ron His Horse is Thunder Three Affiliated Tribes Richard Hall Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Ron Trottier Theodore Roosevelt National Park Bill Whitworth FROM: Shawn P. Kuntz, Traffic Operations Engineer DATE: October 12, 2017 SUBJECT: Solicitation for 2022 Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) You are invited to submit project applications for the 2022 Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). Included with this solicitation is documentation that will further explain the HSIP program, assist in the identification of eligible project types, and lead you through the HSIP application process; What is HSIP? Instructions for the application process for HSIP and LRSP projects Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Project Application SFN 59959 HSIP Project Applications Summary for 2018-2021 Solicitation Approved 2018-2021 HSIP Projects is a complete list of previously submitted HSIP projects currently approved for funding and construction 2012-2016 Rural Intersection High Crash Locations Listings and Map 2014-2016 Urban High Crash Locations Listings and Maps for Bismarck, Fargo and West Fargo, Williston, Minot, and Grand Forks. Jurisdictions with high crash locations identified by the current high crash listings are invited to review and provide strategies, activities, and projects regarding updates to the status of crash locations within their jurisdictions. Those same jurisdictions are also encouraged to consider HSIP project applications that address highway safety problems identified by the high crash location listings. For more information regarding the application process and other questions about the HSIP program, contact Shawn Kuntz at skuntz@nd.gov or (701) 328-2673. 35/spk/ C: Jane Berger, NDDOT Programming Engineer Chad M. Orn, NDDOT Assistant Programming Engineer

23 USC 409 Documents NDDOT Reserves All Objections What is HSIP? The Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) is a core Federal-aid highway program with the purpose to achieve a significant reduction in fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. The HSIP is a Federally-funded, State-administered program. The NDDOT Programming Division Traffic Operations Section manages the HSIP program. Shawn Kuntz, the NDDOT Traffic Operations Engineer, is the main contact for HSIP questions. (Email skuntz@nd.gov or telephone at 701-328-2673) HSIP eligible project types? A highway safety improvement project means strategies, activities, and projects on a public road that are consistent with the NDDOT State strategic highway safety plan (SHSP) https://www.dot.nd.gov/divisions/safety/docs/nd_shsp_final_2013-09-09.pdf and (i) correct or improve a hazardous road location or feature; or (ii) address a highway safety problem. The current SHSP identifies 6 emphasis areas for the State of North Dakota. To be consistent with the plan, projects must relate to at least one of these six emphasis areas: Younger drivers Unbelted vehicle occupants Speeding or aggressive drivers Lane departure Alcohol related Intersections A highway safety improvement project only includes a project for 1 or more of the following: (i) An intersection safety improvement. (ii) Pavement and shoulder widening (including addition of a passing lane to remedy an unsafe condition). (iii) Installation of rumble strips or another warning device, if the rumble strips or other warning devices do not adversely affect the safety or mobility of bicyclists and pedestrians, including persons with disabilities. (iv) Installation of a skid-resistant surface at an intersection or other location with a high frequency of crashes. (v) An improvement for pedestrian or bicyclist safety or safety of persons with disabilities. (vi) Construction and improvement of a railway-highway grade crossing safety feature, including installation of protective devices. (vii) The conduct of a model traffic enforcement activity at a railway-highway crossing. (viii) Construction of a traffic calming feature. (ix) Elimination of a roadside hazard. (x) Installation, replacement, and other improvement of highway signage and pavement markings, or a project to maintain minimum levels of retro reflectivity that addresses a highway safety problem consistent with a State strategic highway safety plan. (xi) Installation of a priority control system for emergency vehicles at signalized intersections. (xii) Installation of a traffic control or other warning device at a location with high crash potential. (xiii) Transportation safety planning. (xiv) Collection, analysis, and improvement of safety data. (xv) Planning integrated interoperable emergency communications equipment, operational activities, or traffic enforcement activities (including police assistance) relating to work zone safety. (xvi) Installation of guardrails, barriers (including barriers between construction work zones and traffic lanes for the safety of road users and workers), and crash attenuators. (xvii) The addition or retrofitting of structures or other measures to eliminate or reduce crashes involving vehicles and wildlife. (xviii) Installation of yellow-green signs and signals at pedestrian and bicycle crossings and in school zones. (xix) Construction and operational improvements on high risk rural roads. (xx) Geometric improvements to a road for safety purposes that improve safety. (xxi) A road safety audit. (xxii) Roadway safety infrastructure improvements consistent with the recommendations included in the publication of the Federal Highway Administration entitled Highway Design Handbook for Older Drivers and Pedestrians (FHWA RD 01 103), dated May 2001 or as subsequently revised and updated. (xxiii) Truck parking facilities eligible for funding under section 1401 of the MAP 21. (xxiv) Systemic safety improvements. (xxv) Installation of vehicle-to-infrastructure communication equipment. (xxvi) Pedestrian hybrid beacons. (xxvii) Roadway improvements that provide separation between pedestrians and motor vehicles, including medians and pedestrian crossing islands. (xxviii) A physical infrastructure safety project not described in clauses (i) through (xxvii). This list is from Title 23 U.S.C 148 https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/uscode-2015-title23/pdf/uscode-2015-title23-chap1- sec148.pdf which includes the legislative and regulatory requirements. Additional HSIP guidance and list of project categories can be found here: https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/legislationandpolicy/fast/hsip_reporting_guidance.cfm Page 1 of 2

23 USC 409 Documents NDDOT Reserves All Objections Local Road Safety Program The Local Road Safety Program (LRSP) is a part of the HSIP program. Any project listed in your LRSP document is considered HSIP eligible. The following is a link to all of the LRSP documents. https://www.dot.nd.gov/divisions/safety/trafficsafety.htm How to apply? STEP 1: Review your LRSP document and select any desired projects. The back of each document has completed HSIP project application forms. That form is all that needs to be submitted as documentation for LRSP projects. Consider grouping forms in an application to create larger projects. STEP 2: Use your knowledge of your system and your experience. Think about any other potential locations and projects that may fit eligibility and have the potential to reduce severe crashes. STEP 3: Complete a safety engineering study. A safety engineering study is an analysis and evaluation of available information to diagnose safety concerns and the identification of countermeasures to address the concerns. A study may include but is not limited to: Location map clearly indicating where the proposed project is located. Crash data analysis (Contact skuntz@nd.gov to get crash data from NDDOT). Not all projects have to be high crash locations, projects may address a reduction in crash potential for an identified crash issue. Traffic volume data if applicable. Input from stakeholders such as law enforcement, EMS, roadway maintenance, schools, etc. Information from a site visit to document items such as sight lines, physical limitations, traffic movements, and adjacent land uses. Explanation of safety concern and how proposed countermeasure will address concern. STEP 4: The level of study will depend on the scope and complexity of the proposed project. Use NDDOT traffic operations resources found at the following link to assist in completion of studies. https://www.dot.nd.gov/divisions/programming/traffic-operations.htm#resources Identify scope of project and prepare cost estimate. STEP 5: Complete your HSIP project application by completing the form provided by this link http://www.dot.nd.gov/forms/sfn59959.pdf and submit with your safety engineering study by email to hsip@nd.gov no later than December 31, 2017. Feel free to contact Shawn Kuntz (skuntz@nd.gov or 701-328-2673), for assistance regarding questions you may have about project eligibility and/or the application process. Page 2 of 2