Title
Arizona Department of Transportation Off System Bridge Program Call for Projects through Maricopa Association of Governments in Federal Fiscal Year 2023 (Ordinance S-49236)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to apply for, accept, and if awarded, enter into agreements for fiscal year 2023 transportation funding through the Maricopa Association of Governments Call for Projects for the Arizona Department of Transportation Off System Bridge Program. Further request an exemption from the indemnification prohibition set forth in the Phoenix City Code section 42-18 for a governmental entity pursuant to Phoenix City Code section 42-20. Additionally request to authorize the City Treasurer to accept and the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item. Funding for this grant opportunity is available through the Infrastructure Investment and Job Act, Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. If awarded the maximum $6.7 million, the City's estimated cost share would not exceed $381,900.
Report
Summary
On Oct. 3, 2022, the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) announced a call for projects for the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Off System Bridge (OSB) Program. The purpose of the OSB Program is to fund the design and construction for replacement, rehabilitation, preservation, and protection of roadway bridges over waterways, other topographic barriers, other roadways, and railroads and canals for bridges specifically not on the Federal-aid highway system, which means bridges over local roads or minor rural collectors.
There are two separate funding programs available for the OSB Program: the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG) and the Bridge Formula Program (BFP). Both opportunities utilize federal funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Job Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the funding can be used for replacement, rehabilitation and/or strengthening a bridge in either poor or fair condition having a load capacity rating that requires the bridge to be posted for weight restrictions based on the National Bridge Inspection Standards. Funding can also be used for preservation, prevention maintenance, or protection measures. Under the STBG program, the local participation is 5.7 percent of the total project cost. Under the BFP program, no local match is required. The maximum award under the OSB Program is up to $6.7 million of federal funds that can be used for the whole project, including both design and construction phases. All other funding must come from another source such as local funding. Staff is reviewing program details to determine which city bridge program would be most competitive.
Financial Impact
The maximum federal participation and the local match requirements vary with each program. For the STBG program, the City contribution is estimated at 5.7 percent of the total project cost. The total opportunity is up to $6.7 million. If the City were to be awarded the full amount, the City share would be up to $381,900. Funds are available in the Street Transportation Department's Capital Improvement Program. If BFP funds are pursued, there would be no local match required.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Street Transportation Department.