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RESOLUTION NO. R-1415-59: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, PROGRAMMING FEDERAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM FUNDS (STP/STATE) FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND MINOR ROADWAY MODIFICATIONS AT THE INTERSECTION OF U.S. HIGHWAY 77 AND HIGH MEADOWS DRIVE IN NORMAN.
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BACKGROUND: The 2012 - Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) federal transportation funding bill allocates federal funds for the implementation of eligible transportation improvement projects along the State Highway System, including intersection improvements and traffic signal modifications.
The intersection of 12th Avenue NE and High Meadows Drive was signalized in 1993, but without roadway improvements to provide a left turn lane on 12th Avenue NE onto High Meadows Drive. This intersection is located on 12th Avenue NE (U.S. Highway 77 / State Highway 77H) north of Robinson Street. High Meadows Drive provides access to Eisenhower Elementary School and surrounding residential neighborhoods. The ever increasing volume of traffic and the resulting increase of accidents have exposed the need for a dedicated turn lane and new traffic signals at this intersection. An aerial photo of this area is included in as an attachament.
Installing the southbound left turn lane will require widening of the existing four-lane section of 12th Avenue NE at the intersection. The roadway modifications also provide the opportunity for the City to upgrade the signal interconnect system along 12th Avenue NE with fiber optics cable (between Robinson Street and Rock Creek Road).
12th Avenue NE in Norman also serves as U.S. Highway 77. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) maintains jurisdiction over maintenance and improvements to the highway. However, 12th Avenue NE also serves as a major arterial street in Norman and intersects with many other city streets. While the City is responsible for the design of intersection signalization projects on 12th Avenue NE, any future construction costs must be coordinated and negotiated with ODOT.
This intersection improvement project is currently included in the City's Five-Year Capital Improvement Program. On February 26, 2013, City Council approved contract K-1213-163 with Garver LLC for the design of the roadway and traffic signal improvements needed at this intersection.
DISCUSSION: In order to request the federal funds needed for the construction of the project, City Council needs to adopt a programming resolution. In the resolution, the City agrees to the terms and conditions of a federally funded project by stating its willingness to assume the responsibility for the preparation of engineering plans, the purchase of any additional right-of-way, the relocation of public utilities and funding of the 20% local share of the construction cost.
A summary of the preliminary cost, which is accounted for in the current Capital Improvement Budget, is presented in as attachment.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends adoption of Resolution No. R-1415-59 requesting federal funds for the widening of the 12th Avenue NE and High Meadows Drive intersection and modifications to the existing traffic signal.