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CONTRACT K-1617-48: A PROJECT AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, AND THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (ODOT) FOR FEDERAL AID PROJECT STPG-214A(073)AG, STATE JOB 29008(04), FOR THE INSTALLATION OF NEW TRAFFIC SIGNAL DISPLAYS AT THIRTY (30) LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF NORMAN AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION R-1617-23.
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BACKGROUND: The 2015 - Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) federal transportation funding bill allocates approximately $21 Million in Federal funds per year for the implementation of eligible transportation improvements in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Ten percent of this appropriation is used to fund safety projects at 100% of their construction cost. Installation of pavement markings along federal functionally classified roads is eligible for this level of funding.
In 2009, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which the City has incorporated by reference in Section 20-1112 of the Code of Ordinances, was updated and established a new standard for traffic signal displays that control left turn movements. The new standard requires the use of a red turn arrow display instead of the circular red indication currently being used. The City has thirty signalized intersections with the circular red display.
On November 22, 2011 City Council approved Resolution R-1112-76, which was later forwarded to both the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), requesting federal funds to pay for 100% of the construction cost associated with the upgrade of thirty traffic signals. In the resolution the City agreed 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 local share of the construction cost, which normally is 20% but for this safety project will be 0%. The project was submitted for consideration and is currently included in the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments’ (ACOG) 2017 Regional Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP).
In July of 2016, City staff submitted final plans to ODOT with a request to include the project in their October 20, 2016 bid opening. The plans were developed “in house” by the engineering staff in the Traffic Control Division. Construction is anticipated to begin in early January of 2017 with completion of the work in March of the same year.
The estimated construction cost of $350,000 will be funded with 100% federal funds as a safety improvement project.
DISCUSSION: The Oklahoma Department of Transportation requires the City to execute a project agreement and to adopt it by resolution before letting the project to contract. The agreement addresses the responsibilities of the City and the Department during and after the construction of the project. The execution of three original documents is required. Both the resolution and agreement have been reviewed by staff and approved by the City Attorney.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of Contract K-1617-48 and Resolution R-1617-23 with ODOT for the installation of new traffic signal displays (required for MUTCD compliance) at thirty signalized intersections throughout the City.