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To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Standard Project Administration Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Central Virginia Transportation Authority for the purpose of providing funding for the Manchester Connection to James River project consisting of a ten-foot shared use path with two-foot shoulders and a new pedestrian bridge over the Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks.
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THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. That the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, be and is hereby authorized to execute a Standard Project Administration Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Central Virginia Transportation Authority for the purpose of providing funding for the Manchester Connection to James River project consisting of a ten-foot shared use path with two-foot shoulders and a new pedestrian bridge over the Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks. The Standard Project Administration Agreement shall be approved as to form by the City Attorney and shall be substantially in the form of the document attached to this ordinance.
§ 2. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
City of Richmond
Intracity Correspondence
DATE: November 13, 2023
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Levar M. Stoney, Mayor
THROUGH: J.E. Lincoln Saunders, Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Bobby Vincent Jr.; Director of Public Works
FROM: M.S. Khara, P.E.; City Engineer
RE: TO AUTHORIZE THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER OR DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE A STANDARD CENTRAL VIRGINIA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (CVTA) AGREEMENT FOR THE “MANCHESTER CONNECTION TO JAMES RIVER - PED/BIKE” PROJECT.
ORD. OR RES. No.
PURPOSE: To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer or Designee to execute a standard Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA) agreement for the ‘Manchester Connection to James River - Ped/Bike’ project.
BACKGROUND: On May l, 2020, the Virginia General Assembly adopted House Bill 1541, which created the Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA), comprising the counties and cities located in Planning District 15 to provide new funding opportunities for priority transportation investments across the region. The Central Virginia Transportation Authority is a body politic and as a political subdivision of the Commonwealth. The Authority embraces each county, city, and the nine localities are Richmond City, Hanover County, Goochland County, Powhatan County, Chesterfield County, Charles City County, New Kent County, Henrico County and Town of Ashland. The Authority administers transportation funding generated through Regional 0.7 percent sales and use tax; Wholesale tax of 7.6 cents per gallon of gasoline and 7.7 cents per gallon of diesel fuel. Localities receive 50% of the funds collected in their jurisdiction; Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA) receives 35% of the funding to disburse on regional priority projects; and GRTC receives 15%.
Manchester Connection to the James River-Ped/Bike project is a Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA) Regional funded project. The project plans to accomplish the following:
• Regional project that will provide a 10' paved shared use path with 2' shoulders and a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge crossing the Norfolk Southern Railroad (NSRR).
• Provide access across private property through acquisition of a permanent easement from Semmes Ave and the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge (T-Pot Bridge).
• Provides pedestrian and bicyclist access and improves safety along a critical 0.3 mile connection between the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge (T-Pot Bridge) and Semmes Ave, continuing adjacent to the grade-separated segment of Commerce Road and the Manchester Bridge to McDonough Street where it will tie into the Fall Line Trail (FLT) at the terminus of two of the FLT project phases; the Manchester Bridge Fall Line Trail extending north over the James River, and the Commerce Road Fall Line Trail Phase I extending southward along Commerce Road.
• This project creates a spur that links the FLT and the Manchester Community to the T-Pot Bridge, providing bicyclist and pedestrian access to destinations such as Browns Island and the Virginia Capital Trail on the north side of the James River. This project will also include crossing improvements to allow for safe crossing of Semmes Avenue at what is currently an uncontrolled midblock, unmarked crosswalk, as well as LED pedestrian-scale lighting along the trail connection.
Design will begin upon execution of the CVTA Standard Project Agreement (SPA). The Right of Way Phase is expected to be implemented in FY2025 and FY2026. The project is anticipated to be advertised for construction in FY2027.
The Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA) funded the project for a total of $6,344,831.00 from FY2023 through FY2027. The CVTA allocations for FY2023 and FY2024 need to be accepted as a budget amendment of the FY2024-FY2029 City Capital Improvement Budget to have funds to do design. The CVTA Allocations are as follows: FY2023 - $564,900.00; FY2024 - $1,034,997.00; FY 2026 - $ 2,372,467.00; FY 2027 - $ 2,372,467.00. The FY2026 and FY2027 Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA) funding allocations are being budgeted through the normal CIP budget process.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: This project was discussed at the Brown’s Island Dam Walk, Implementation Public Forum on February 18, 2014. The project was also requested as part of the Richmond Riverfront Plan. Additional public engagement will be through the City Council Land Use Committee meeting on this Ordinance.
STRATEGIC INITATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL: This project conforms to Goal 8-Equitable Transportation in the Richmond 300 master plan by expanding and improving walking and biking infrastructure. Also, the project is the “Connect to Manchester” portion of the implementation of the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge under Implementation: Phase One Projects part of the Richmond Riverfront plan adopted in 2017. No other governmental agency approval is required for the Ordinance approving the Standard Project Agreement. CPC/UDC approval will be required during project development.
FISCAL IMPACT: None. The City will receive Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA) Regional funds totaling $ 6,344,831.00 for the project. The CVTA Regional funds are 100% reimbursable. City matching funds are not required.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon Adoption.
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: November 13, 2023.
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: December 11, 2023.
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent Agenda.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee.
AFFECTED AGENCIES: Department of Public Works; Law Department; Planning and Development; Economic and Community Development; Department of Public Utilities; Finance Department; Budget and Strategic Planning; Copies also sent to: City Mayor (Levar M. Stoney); Chief Administrative Officer (J.E. Lincoln Saunders); Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Operation (Robert Steidel); and City Attorney (2).
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: None.
ATTACHMENTS: Standard Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA) Project Administration Agreement.
STAFF: Lamont L. Benjamin, P.E.; Capital Projects Administrator 804-646-6339.
Thomas A. Westbrook, P.E.; Project Manager 804-646-3421.