title
To support an application to the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program for the purpose of funding the installation of protected bike lanes on Franklin Street from Belvidere Street to Lombardy Street and to commit to the required agreements of the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond desires to submit an application for an allocation of funds through the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program to fund the installation of protected bike lanes on Franklin Street from Belvidere Street to Lombardy Street and to commit to the required agreements of the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program; and
WHEREAS, such new bike lanes provide significant infrastructure upgrades to the protected bike lanes on Franklin Street and such new protected bike lanes will expand the core downtown protected bike network west to Lombardy and connect to the Virginia Capital Trail; and
WHEREAS, Virginia Department of Transportation regulations now dictate that only local government agencies may submit proposals in response to Virginia Department of Transportation solicitations; and
WHEREAS, the City, to the extent permitted by law, agrees to provide the required 20 percent matching funds if the project is approved for funding; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the Commonwealth Transportation Board construction allocation procedures, it is necessary that, prior to an award determination, a resolution be received from the sponsoring local jurisdiction or agency requesting the Virginia Department of Transportation to establish a Protected Bike Lanes on Franklin Street from Belvidere Street to Lombardy Street project for the City of Richmond;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND:
That the Council hereby supports the application for allocation of funds through the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program to fund the installation of protected bike lanes on Franklin Street from Belvidere Street to Lombardy Street, committing to the required agreements of the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program, and requesting that the Commonwealth Board of Transportation establish a project for the implementation of the Protected Bike Lanes on Franklin Street from Belvidere Street to Lombardy project.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That, to the extent permitted by law, the City commits to providing the required 20 percent local matching funds.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the City hereby agrees to enter into a project administration agreement with the Virginia Department of Transportation and provide the necessary oversight to ensure that the project is developed in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local requirements relevant to the installation of protected bike lanes on Franklin Street from Belvidere Street to Lombardy Street.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That if the City subsequently elects to cancel the project, the City agrees to reimburse the Virginia Department of Transportation for the total amount of costs expended by the Virginia Department of Transportation through the date of notice of such cancellation. Subject to appropriation by the Council of the City of Richmond, the City agrees to repay any funds previously reimbursed that are later deemed ineligible by the Federal Highway Administration or the Virginia Department of Transportation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the Chief Administrative Officer, or his designee, is authorized to apply for funds and execute project administration agreements as well as other documents necessary for approved projects for the purpose of funding the installation of protected bike lanes on Franklin Street from Belvidere Street to Lombardy Street and to commit to the required agreements of the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program.
City of Richmond
Intracity Correspondence
DATE: March 10, 2025 EDITION: 2
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Dr. Danny Avula, Mayor
THROUGH: Sabrina Joy-Hogg, Interim Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Meghan K. Brown, Director of Budget & Strategic Planning
THROUGH: Bobby Vincent, Director of Public Works
FROM: M.S. Khara, P.E. City Engineer
RE: APPLICATION TO THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (VDOT) REQUESTING PROJECT FUNDING FROM THE BIENNIAL FY2027-FY2028 FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM FOR FRANKLIN STREET PROTECTED BIKE LANES FORM BELVIDERE STREET TO LOMBARDY STREET
ORD. OR RES. No.
PURPOSE: To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) or designee, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to formally request funding from VDOT for Protected Bike lanes on Franklin Street from Belvidere Street to Lombardy Street utilizing Transportation Alternative (TA) program projects for the FY2027-FY2028 Federal Transportation Alternatives Program and to commit to the (20%) matching funds if VDOT approves funding for this project.
BACKGROUND: The Transportation Enhancement (TE) program established under ‘SAFETEA-LU’ was replaced by the Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) with the passage of ‘MAP-21’.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) continues the Transportation Alternatives set-aside from the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program. Eligible uses of the set-aside funds include all projects and activities that were previously eligible under the Transportation Alternatives Program under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). This encompasses a variety of smaller-scale transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, recreational trails, safe routes to school projects, community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management, and environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity.
The BIL requires all TAP projects to be funded through a competitive process. This funding program mandates 20% in matching funds to be supplied by the applicant and that the City be responsible for operating and maintenance costs of TA improvements.
Although the program requires a 20% match, the City is proposing more than the 20% match with the use of Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA) Local funds on projects that are estimated to cost more than $1,000,000 to make the application more competitive in the program.
The deadline to submit the City’s application to VDOT to participate in the FY27-FY28 Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) is September 15, 2025.
FY 2027 TAP Candidate Project:
Franklin Street Protected Bike Lanes from Belvidere Street to Lombardy Street
This project constructs significant infrastructure upgrades to the City’s Downtown Protected Bike Lanes, adding more robust and permanent physical barriers to a separated two-way “cycle track” bike lane extension on Franklin Street. This new facility will expand the core downtown protected bike network west to Lombardy Street and connect to the Virginia Capital Square. This project will serve to upgrade the bike network and connect to the Fall Line Trail, which is also a physically separated design, by adding permanent protection as it passes through Richmond’s central business district. The design will reduce bike/vehicle conflicts and reduce the potential for vehicle encroachments into the bike lanes.
The total estimated cost for the project is $2,000,000.00. The City is submitting an application for a total of $1,250,000.00 for the Franklin Street Protected Bike Lanes project. The TA Program grants 80% ($1,000,000.00 being requested) in federal funds, and requires a 20% City match ($250,000.00, which will be budgeted in the CIP budget). The remaining project cost of $750,000.00 will be provided through CVTA Local funds if the project is granted TA Program funds.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Additional public hearing/engagement will be through the Land Use and Housing and Transportation Standing Committee (LUHTSC) meeting and City Council meeting on this resolution request.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL: Transportation projects receiving funds from VDOT will improve the city’s streets by expanding connectivity and enhancing safety for pedestrian and vehicular users.
Land Use and Housing and Transportation Standing Committee (LUHTSC) will review and approve this Resolution request.
FISCAL IMPACT: If the requested $1,000,000.00 in federal funding (80%) is received, the City’s share will provide 20% in the amount of $250,000.00 for a total TA Program cost of $1,250,000.00. City funds will be budgeted via future CIP budgets upon federal grant approval. Additionally, the remaining project cost of $750,000.00 will be budgeted through proposed CVTA Local funds if federal funds are approved. Additional CVTA funds are proposed to make the application more competitive in the program.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon adoption.
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: May 27, 2025
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: June 23, 2025
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee meeting (LUHTC) June 17, 2025
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 (Dr. Danny Avula); Interim Chief Administrative Officer (Sabrina Joy-Hogg).
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: None
ATTACHMENTS: FY 27-FY 28 TA Program Candidate Projects List
STAFF: Lamont L. Benjamin, PE, Capital Projects Administrator, DPW, 646-6339
Adel Edward, P.E., Project Manager, DPW 646-6584.