TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Peter D. Lear, CPA, CGMA, Interim City Manager
TITLE: Update on River Road projects and funding opportunities
Recommended Action
None
Background Information
The River Road Regional Interstate Connector (formally known as the Englewood Interstate Connector EIC) is an approximately 12.7-mile road reconstruction project along River Road, from I-75 to Winchester Boulevard, and Winchester Boulevard, from River Road to Charlotte County. The project constitutes a major arterial and regional roadway improvement to correct existing road deficiencies, provide additional capacity, improve roadway elevation, add bicycle lanes, sidewalks, and landscape and also serve as a key hurricane evacuation route for southern Sarasota County and portions of the City of North Port and Charlotte County.
RELEVANT PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
River Road is a Sarasota County Commission Major Initiative and Legislative Priority for 2017.
ANALYSIS/NEXT STEPS:
Following are project investments and components completed to date:
• Winchester Blvd., Charlotte County line to River Road (2002):
$10 million
• ROW acquisition north and south of U.S. 41 (2006-present):
$21.9 million value
• West Villages Pkwy. signalized intersection (2010):
$5.9 million
• U.S. 41 to I-75 permitted construction plans (2013):
$4.5 million
• U.S. 41 ultimate intersection completion (2014):
$9.4 million
• Stormwater Development Agreement WVID (2016):
$900,000 committed value
Investments to Date: $52.6 million
Due to the condition of the roadway north of U.S. 41, the county performed a temporary resurfacing, which was completed in early 2017.
The following project elements and components represent next and/or future phases to be completed:
• River Road additional ROW acquisition: West Villages Pkwy to I-75
• River Road construction: U.S. 41 to I-75
• Winchester Boulevard: add 2-lanes for a 4-lane section
• River Road design and construction: Winchester Blvd. to U.S. 41
The county is pursuing a multifaceted funding strategy moving forward:
• River Road Regional Interstate Connector is on the Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Major Project Priorities List and Financially Feasible Plan. The majority of funding will be from Federal and/or State sources, planned in phases, years 2025 through 2040.
• The county continues to seek opportunities to advocate at State and Federal levels. The current proposed State Budget includes a $3.0 million allocation for River Road.
• The county is also working with the City of North Port and the West Villages Improvement District (WVID) on a potential partnership for the portion of River Road from north of U.S. 41 to approximately 2,000-feet north of West Villages Parkway. The agreement would be framed around Mobility Fee credit considerations.
• The county’s adopted FY 2017 CIP budget includes an allocation for an Advance Right-of-way Acquisition Program. This allows the county to continue the negotiation and acquisition process with other property owners along River Road corridor as annual funding allows (CIP 95713).
FUNDING:
Funding for this project could include Federal and State Grants, South County Road Impact Fee District funds, Mobility Fee South District funds, City of North Port Road Impact Fee District funds, ELMS Gas Taxes, Contributions from West Villages and Telecommunication Taxes, all as available.
Strategic Plan
N/A
Financial Impact
N/A
Procurement
Attachments: 1. River Road Update presentation
Prepared by: Pete Lear for Sarasota County
Department Director: Pete Lear