TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the Prioritized List of Project Funding Applications Through the Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Recommended Action
Discussion and possible action to approve prioritized list of project funding applications through the Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).
Background Information
The MPO solicits project funding applications annually from Sarasota County, Manatee County and the Cities located within each county for State and Federal funding. Projects are evaluated and ranked by MPO staff using criteria in compliance with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) performance measures. The ranked project funding applications are then presented to the MPO Board for approval to submit to the State of Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for approval and allocation of State and Federal funds. The following list of projects has been submitted to the MPO as a draft list, which may be revised prior to it being taken to the MPO Board for approval.
Staff is requesting the City Commission’s endorsement of the following projects to submit funding applications through the MPO, in the following order of priority:
1. Replacement of Price Boulevard Bridge over the Myakkahatchee Creek (FDOT Bridge No, 175014):
This bridge, built in 1973, is approaching the end of its service life and has been deemed “scour critical” and in need of replacement. The construction plans for a bridge replacement are currently being prepared by a Consultant. If funding is received through the MPO, it would be applied toward the construction phase of this project.
2. Interstate 75 (I-75) Interchange Road Infrastructure Improvements at Yorkshire Street and Raintree Boulevard:
The MPO has identified several potential local improvements that will be necessary to support a future collector-distributor interchange at I-75 at Yorkshire Street and Raintree Boulevard. These projects include:
a. Constructing an intersection at Hillsborough Boulevard, Raintree Boulevard, and Veteran’s Boulevard.
b. Widening Raintree Boulevard between Price Boulevard and Blueleaf Drive.
c. Widening Yorkshire Street between Price Boulevard and Langlais Drive.
d. Extending Raintree Boulevard through Desoto County to King’s Highway.
e. Installing traffic control devices at the intersections of Raintree Boulevard and Yorkshire Street with Price Boulevard.
Funding is being requested with the intention of completing a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study to determine the feasibility of these local improvements, and to develop design alternatives for each improvement.
3. Extension of Toledo Blade Boulevard to State Road 72 (SR 72):
During Hurricane Ian (September - October 2022), flooding was experienced on both I-75 and US-41, which are the City’s only connecting roads into northern Sarasota County. The extension of Toledo Blade Boulevard would provide an additional evacuation route and reduce the likelihood of the City becoming cut off from the rest of the County in the event of simultaneous closures of I-75 and US-41. The project will also serve to provide traffic relief from I-75 and US-41 by providing an alternative route by extending Toledo Blade Boulevard northward to connect to SR 72. This project is ineligible to receive funding due to the project not being listed on the MPO’s Long Range Transportation Plan or FDOT’s Cost Feasible Plan. The application is being submitted to express the City’s interest in the project to the various stakeholders, and to take the first step toward having the project included in future iterations of these long-term improvement plans.
4. Price Boulevard extension to River Road:
Similar to the project above, the extension of Price Boulevard westward would provide an alternative route to I-75 and US-41, provide better connectivity between the City and the rest of Sarasota County, and provide an additional evacuation route to connect to River Road at its intersection with Center Road. This project is ineligible to receive funding due to the project not being listed on the MPO’s Long Range Transportation Plan or FDOT’s Cost Feasible Plan. The application is being submitted to express the City’s interest in the project to the various stakeholders, and to take the first step toward having the project included in future iterations of these long-term improvement plans.
Strategic Plan
Infrastructure & Facilities Integrity
Economic Development & Growth Management
Financial Impact
Not applicable.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Approval Document
2. Funding Application - Price Boulevard Bridge Replacement
3. Funding Application - I-75 Interchange Improvements
4. Funding Application - Toledo Blade Boulevard Extension
5. Funding Application - Price Boulevard Extension
Prepared by: Anthony Friedman, P.E., PTOE, Transportation Engineer
Department Director: Chuck Speake, Public Works Director