Subject
title
Authorization for the City Manager to execute a grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration for FY 2023 Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program for the Maryvale Park to Redgate Park Shared Use Path Study
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Department
PW - Traffic & Transportation
Recommendation
Staff recommends the Mayor and Council authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement (Attachment #1) with the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for the FY 2023 Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program.
Discussion
The Department of Public Works applied for, and was awarded, grant funding through the FY 2023 Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program for the Maryvale Park to Redgate Park Shared Use Path.
This project will evaluate the feasibility of constructing a shared use path along First Street from Norbeck Road (MD 28) to Taft Street and along Taft Street from First Street to 6 Taft Court and prepare a 65% design plan for a feasible alignment. This connection will provide separated pedestrian and bicycle access to Maryvale Park, Maryvale Elementary School, the Carl Millennium Trail, the city’s Taft Center at 6 Taft Court, and Redgate Park through an entrance at 6 Taft Court. The study will also evaluate whether it is feasible to add a crossing of MD 28 at First Street, if there were a pedestrian facility on the opposite side of MD 28.
This route covers a recommended shared-use path connection included in the 2023 Pedestrian Master Plan.
The total project cost is $270,000, of which $216,000 is grant-funded. The remaining $54,000 will be provided by the city as the local match through the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety CIP (TD26).
Mayor and Council History
This is the first time DPW staff has brought this agenda item to the Mayor and Council.
Procurement
After the agreement is fully executed, DPW staff will coordinate with Procurement to obtain a qualified consultant to carry out the technical aspects of this project.
Boards and Commissions Review
DPW staff discussed this project idea with the Rockville Pedestrian Advocacy Committee (RPAC), the Rockville Bicycle Advisory Committee (RBAC), and the Transportation and Mobility Commission (TMC) in Summer 2024. Each of these groups provided a letter of support for the grant application.
Next Steps
After the Mayor and Council authorization, the City Manager will execute the grant agreement, and DPW staff will coordinate with FHWA to fully execute the agreement and to initiate the project.