HomeMy WebLinkAboutTIC 2019-04-02 Item 2C - Grant Applications - Sound Transit System Access Funds for Non-Motorized Connections to Tukwila International Boulevard Station and Tukwila StationTO:
City of Tukwila
Allan Ekberg, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
FROM: Henry Hash, Public Works Director 7
Jack Pace, Community Development Director
BY: Minnie Dhaliwal, Planning Supervisor
CC: Mayor Ekberg
DATE: March 21, 2019
SUBJECT: System Access grant applications
ISSUE
Should the city apply for the System Access Funds to improve access to Sound Transit
facilities?
BACKGROUND
The System Access Fund is the major component of the $100 million System Access Program
included in the voter -approved Sound Transit 3 (ST3) system plan. The System Access Fund is
allocated equally among Sound Transit's five subareas and will help fund improvements that
make it easier and more convenient for people to get to Sound Transit facilities.
Cities can apply to Sound Transit for System Access Funds to help implement projects that
improve connections to stations. At this time up to $10 million is available in each of Sound
Transit's five subareas. Sound Transit will allocate this round of funds between 2019 and 2025.
Each jurisdiction can submit up to two applications in this round. Capital projects that have
advanced to the design/engineering or construction phase and that demonstrate a clear link with
a Sound Transit -served facility such as safe sidewalks, protected bike lanes and shared use
paths are eligible for these funds. Additionally, cities must show how ongoing operations and
maintenance costs will be sustained once System Access Funds are expended.
DISCUSSION
Last month Sound Transit issued a call for projects and requested cities to submit screening
forms for potential projects to determine whether the projects were eligible to apply for the
System Access Funds. Tukwila submitted screening forms for two projects; one at each of the
City's Sound Transit stations:
1. Non -Motorized Connections and Wayfinding for Tukwila International Boulevard Station:
Design and construct sidewalks along both sides of S 152nd Street from 42nd Ave S to
Tukwila International Blvd including wayfinding signs at key locations. This provides
sidewalks for residential area within % mile of the station connecting to existing
sidewalks on Tukwila Intl Blvd and 42nd Avenue S, connecting into the TIBS station.
Amount requested is $3,135,700.
This project has the potential to connect to the light rail station via a future mid -block
north -south path, partially located on the proposed Bellwether site. S 152nd St is also a
safe route to school, and is a project in Tukwila's Transportation Improvement Program
(TIP) and Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
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INFORMATIONAL MEMO
Page 2
2. Tukwila Station (Commuter Rail) Non -Motorized Connectivity and Safety
1) Construct new ped-activated signal across SR 181 near new Ped-Bike Bridge.
2) Construct new Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) across Longacres
Way @ Interurban Trail
3) Construct pedestrian & bike improvements on Longacres Way from Tukwila
Station to SR 181
4) Add wayfinding within 1/2 mile of Tukwila Station.
5) Widen Green River Trail portion with illumination & safety improvements.
This request dovetails with other projects in the immediate vicinity that are either complete or
underway. The ped-activated signal across SR 181 and the pedestrian & bike improvements on
Longacres Way will be designed as part of the West Valley Highway (Strander Blvd to 1-405)
project. Transportation Improvement Board funds have been awarded for the design and
construction of the West Valley Highway project. Design and permitting have been completed
on the Green River Trail section between the new Ped Bridge and Christensen Rd as part of the
Ped-Bike Bridge design. Amount requested is $2,582,900. The overall project cost is
$17,455,900, which includes the Ped Bridge ($10.7M), Baker Boulevard Non -Motorized
Improvements ($1M), West Valley Highway Project ($3.8M).
Sound Transit has confirmed that both projects meet eligibility requirements and the city can
submit an application for these projects by April 12, 2019. Following an evaluation by Sound
Transit staff and an open public comment period, the Sound Transit Board will select projects to
receive System Access Funds in mid-2019.
Sound Transit will evaluate applications based on how projects address the following policy and
technical factors.
• Policy factors
o Customer experience — How will the project make it easier and more convenient
for riders to connect to stations?
o Equity — Will the project improve connections for people who rely on transit?
o Safety & Human Health — How will the project improve safety for riders and
provide opportunities for active travel?
o Connectivity — How will the project improve connections between the station and
neighborhoods and activity centers (jobs, schools, community services, etc.)?
• Technical factors
o Funding plan — Does the applicant have all funding necessary to deliver the
project or a realistic plan to do so?
o Delivery plan — Does the applicant have a realistic plan to deliver the project by
their proposed completion date?
FINANCIAL IMPACT
n/a
RECOMMENDATION
Approval to apply for System Access Funds for non -motorized connections to Tukwila
International Boulevard Station and Tukwila Station.
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