Title
Grand Canalscape Phase 3 Update
Description
This report provides the Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation Subcommittee with an update on Phase 3 of the Street Transportation Department's Grand Canalscape Shared Use Path Project.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY.
Report
Summary
Canalscape projects are designed to develop a contiguous commuter and recreational route, including safe crossing facilities where the trail crosses arterial and collector streets. They will reintegrate the canals into the surrounding communities by incorporating public art, landscaping and neighborhood access points to the path to provide better visibility, access and, ultimately, appreciation of the canal system in the Phoenix Area.
The Grand Canalscape is a 12-mile continuous, multi-use recreational trail system along the Grand Canal in Phoenix providing a commuter route for bicycle and pedestrian traffic along the Grand Canal bank to provide safe and convenient walking and cycling; access between neighborhoods, transit corridors, local employment, shopping, education and recreation centers; and safe crossings where the trail meets city streets. Salt River Project (SRP) operates the canal system and is collaborating with the City of Phoenix on this exciting project.
Phase 1 and 2 of this project were completed in February 2020. Phase 1 included improvements along the canal from 15th Avenue to 16th Street, and from 36th Street to 40th Street. Phase 2 included improvements along the canal from Interstate 17 (I-17) to 15th Avenue, from 16th Street to 36th Street, and from 40th Street to the Phoenix/Tempe border.
Phase 3 of the project will transform the dirt pathway to an upgraded concrete multi-use pathway along the northern shoulder of the Grand Canal from 75th to 47th avenues. The improvements will include:
- A concrete pedestrian and bicycle pathway along the north bank of the canal;
- Signalized crosswalks (HAWK) where the path crosses existing streets;
- Dusk-to-dawn lighting;
- Landscaping improvements where possible;
- Other amenities such as trash receptacles, seating areas and fitness stations; and
- An art component coordinated by the Office of Arts and Culture, and the Street Transportation Department.
The project is currently in design and is anticipated to be completed by early 2022 with construction to begin in 2022.
In addition to the Grand Canalscape projects, the City has initiated a project for the Western Canalscape, which will transform the Western Canal from 4th Avenue to 24th Street. This project will link neighborhoods with eight schools, four transit routes, a Park-and-Ride Facility, five churches, and the future Valley Metro South Central Light Rail extension.
Funding Opportunities
The SRP Aesthetic Program is a partnership between SRP and local municipalities that offers the opportunity to have aesthetic improvements made to existing and new SRP water and power distribution, transmission and substation facilities. It is administered by SRP and based on 0.8 percent of the annual gross revenues or $12 million, whichever is less. The annual municipal share is based on the municipality's percentage share of SRP’s total electrical facilities (9 percent) and the municipality's share of SRP’s cost of electrical system work accomplished during the prior fiscal year (81 percent).
The Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 appropriated $500 million, available through Sept. 30, 2017, for national infrastructure investments known as the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Grant. TIGER Grants were awarded on a competitive basis for projects that have a significant impact on the nation, a metropolitan area or a region. TIGER Grants have supported innovative projects, including multimodal and multi-jurisdictional projects, which are difficult to fund through traditional Federal programs.
Highway User Revenue Funds (HURF) are collected by the state of Arizona from gasoline and use-fuel taxes, motor-carrier taxes, vehicle-license taxes, motor vehicle registration fees and other miscellaneous fees, and a portion is distributed to municipalities. HURF funds can only be used in public right-of-way. Other funds consist of Capital Construction Funds (CCF), which are collected from a tax on intrastate telephone lines in the city's right-of-way. CCF funds do not have any restrictions and are typically used for drainage projects but have also been used for sidewalk and wheelchair ramps, traffic safety and neighborhood traffic mitigation projects.
The costs and funding sources of each phase of the Grand Canalscape and the Western Canalscape project are as follows:
- Phase 1 - $6,582,319 ($5,009,130 funded with SRP Aesthetic Program funds and $1,573,189 with HURF/CCF);
- Phase 2 - $15,895,670 ($5,481,501 funded with SRP Aesthetic Program funds, $8,650,700 with a TIGER Grant, and $1,763,469 with HURF/CCF); and
- Phase 3 - estimated at $8,162,599 ($7,383,700 funded with SRP Aesthetic Program funds and $778,899 with HURF/CCF); and
- Western - estimated at $7,902,462 ($6,741,437 funded with SRP Aesthetic Program funds and $1,161,025 with HURF/CCF).
It is unlikely that other grant funding would be available for canal improvement projects, but the Street Transportation Department continues to seek any opportunities when they become available.
Financial Impact
The total estimated budget for Phase 3 is $8,162,629, which will be funded using $7,383,700 in SRP Aesthetic Program funds and $778,899 in HURF/CCF.
Public Outreach
The City held a public meeting in March 2021 for Phase 3 to provide information to the public and collect feedback on the planned project improvements. Public outreach and notifications will continue throughout the project. Residents and businesses will be notified of construction activities.
Location
Grand Canal from 75th to 47th avenues
Council Districts: 4 and 5
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Street Transportation Department.