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Support a Paved Trails Feasibility Study Grant Application to the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
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Staff: |
Department: |
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Mary Jane Nirdlinger, Deputy Town Manager |
Manager |
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Bergen Watterson, Transportation Planning Manager |
Planning |
Overview: Adoption of the resolution is required to submit an application for a Paved Trails Feasibility Study through the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). According to the NCDOT website, the purpose of the Paved Trails and Sidewalk Feasibility Study Grant Program is to improve the pipeline of bicycle and pedestrian projects accessing state and federal funding, resulting in successful implementation of projects led by communities prioritizing multimodal infrastructure. The goal is to end up with a well-conceived project with demonstrated community support that will be competitive in the NCDOT prioritization process as well as for federal funds that do not flow through the state.
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Recommendation(s): |
That the Council adopt a resolution supporting a Paved Trails Feasibility Study grant application.
Key Issues:
• If awarded, this funding would support a step taken towards implementing Everywhere to Everywhere Greenways.
• There is $2.5 million available in grant funding through NCDOT.
• Staff has not fleshed out specifically which project(s) to include in the application, but the hope is to submit a connected network of potential greenways for evaluation rather than one corridor.
• NCDOT will prioritize projects that are included in the Great Trails State Network <https://ncdot.maps.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?useExisting=1&layers=daecddb2e6374981b3ed122305d2baf5> and that help mitigate transportation disadvantage.
• Submitted projects must be in a locally or regionally adopted plan (i.e. Mobility and Connectivity Plan, <https://www.townofchapelhill.org/home/showpublisheddocument/47405/637400951184270000> Comprehensive Transportation Plan <https://www.dchcmpo.org/what-we-do/programs-plans/comprehensive-transportation-plan>).
• The deadline for the application is January 9, 2023 and notification of award will be sometime after March 2023.
Fiscal Impact/Resources: The grant, if awarded, would not require a local match, though it could make an application stronger in a cycle with many applications.
Where is this item in its process?
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Attachments: |
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• Resolution |
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING a Paved Trails Feasibility Study Grant Application to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (2022-12-07/R-6)
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has allocated $2.5 million for Paved Trails Feasibility Study grants for local jurisdictions; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill has embraced the concept of Everywhere to Everywhere Greenways, which encompasses a robust network of connected greenways that connect people and places throughout Town and the region; and
WHEREAS, a complete network of connected greenways would increase transportation options for all residents, reduce vehicle miles travelled, improve health outcomes, address equity concerns, and support the Town’s Climate Action and Response Plan; and
WHEREAS, a feasibility study would be an important first step towards implementing Everywhere to Everywhere Greenways in Chapel Hill; and
WHEREAS, a complete feasibility study would make the project(s) competitive in the state transportation prioritization process and for other federal funding opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the grant would not require a local match.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council supports a Paved Trails Feasibility Study grant application to the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
This the 7th day of December, 2022.
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The Agenda will reflect the text below and/or the motion text will be used during the meeting. |
presenter
By adopting the resolution, the Council supports a Paved Trails Feasibility Study grant application to the North Carolina Department of Transportation.