Title
AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF WICHITA TO MANAGE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION GRANT APPLICATIONS AND RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION FOR THE NORTH JUNCTION PROJECT (I-135,I-235, K-96 AND K-254) (R353) (DISTRICT 4).
Presented by: David C. Spears, P.E., Assistant County Manager.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the agreement, subject to approval of a supporting CIP amendment, and authorize the Chairman to sign.
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Reconstruction of the North Junction (interchange of I-135, I-235, K-96, K-254) has been a high priority for the local community and the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) for many years. KDOT lacks funding to proceed with the project and leaders from Wichita and Sedgwick County have been working to find a way to move the project forward.
Elected officials from the City and County have approached federal and state elected and appointed officials to push the project and ascertain a path forward. The City of Wichita has proposed a plan that will position the project to compete for a BUILD grant and/or INFRA grant. A key component of the plan is to dedicate local funds to be used for four tasks:
1. Contract with a consultant to prepare and submit a BUILD grant application.
2. Contract with a consultant to prepare right-of-way descriptions, tract maps, and other information needed to begin right-of-way acquisition for the gold/orange phases.
3. Begin right-of-way acquisition of strategic tracts.
4. Contract with a consultant to prepare an INFRA grant application after the federal Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is published if the project appears to be eligible.
The City has requested that the County allocate $500,000 to match a City allocation of $500,000 to create $1,000,000 in local funding to begin the project. The project agreement sets out responsibilities for the project.
Alternatives: Take such action as the Board deems appropriate.
Financial Considerations: The City and the County will each contribute $500,000 to the project for a tot...
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