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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-017 - WA State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) - I-405 Congestion Relief and Bus Rapid Transit• • ACS 04-D17 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ESTABLISHING A COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY OF TUKWILA AND THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE I-405 CONGESTION RELIEF & BUS RAPID TRANSIT PROJECTS -ch THIS Memorandum of Understanding is made this 2S day of /csrrrl 9, between the City of Tukwila (hereinafter referred to as CITY) and the Washington State Department of Transportation (hereinafter referred to as WSDOT). 1. BACKGROUND WSDOT is a department of state government with all powers, duties, and functions to coordinate transportation modes and to develop and maintain a statewide transportation system meeting the needs of the State of Washington as provided in RCW chs. 47.01. WSDOT owns and operates an extensive system of highways, high occupancy vehicle lanes, park and ride lots, and access ramps serving transit and carpools. On April 27, 2003 the Washington State Legislature approved a statewide transportation - funding plan called the "Nickel Package", which includes $485 million to bring congestion relief to three critical I-405 hotspots in Renton, Bellevue and Kirkland. The funding provides for environmental, design and construction of "Nickel" projects as well as "5%" design of a long-range mobility strategy called the I-405 Master Plan. The phasing and funding of the I-405 Master Plan consists of the Phase I "Nickel" projects, the Phase II "Implementation Plan", and Phase III "Master Plan". Planning, designing, constructing and operating these improvements is a complex task, requiring maximum cooperation between CITY and WSDOT. "Nickel" Projects The new facilities and services included within the South Renton "Nickel" project are described in Appendix A. Elements of this plan contained within the City of Tukwila include a portion of a proposed northbound auxiliary lane between SR -181 (West Valley Highway) and SR -167 (East Valley Highway). Implementation Plan The I-405 Executive Committee endorsed an Implementation Plan on October 2, 2003. The Implementation Plan, described in Appendix B, represents projects that could be built over a ten-year period if major transportation funding decisions occur. This phase may be partially funded through the Regional Transportation Investment District (RTID). It is anticipated that if the RTID passes in a timely manner, the South Renton "Nickel" funds will be rolled into the Implementation Plan, rather then used for construction of the Tukwila — WSDOT MOU Page 1 ,2,,s,_ ORtEkit'ALS • • South Renton "Nickel" project. Elements of the Implementation Plan contained within the City of Tukwila include the following: • One additional eastbound general-purpose lane under I-5, connecting SR -518 to I- 405 with a two-lane section. • One additional lane in each direction of I-405. • Replacement of the 61st Avenue South structure over I-405 to accommodate the widened I-405, including exploring bridge replacement locations. • Replacement of the 66th Avenue South (Christensen Road) structures over I-405 to accommodate the widened I-405. In replacing this structure, aligning the 66th Street replacement structure with E. Andover Parkway will be considered. • Removal of the Tukwila Parkway to northbound I-405 "slip" ramp and extension of the Tukwila Parkway east over the Green River to a new intersection with SR - 181. This improvement will provide traffic on Tukwila Parkway access to northbound I-405 through the reconstructed south half of the I-405/SR-181 interchange. • Reconstruction of the south half of the I-405 SR -181 (northbound only) interchange to connect the I-405 northbound off -ramp to the proposed Tukwila Parkway extension. • Improving SR -181 to 6 lanes at I-405. It is anticipated that the I-405 facilities included in the Implementation Plan will accommodate the proposed Master Plan improvements to the extent feasible. Master Plan The I-405 Master Plan, which was developed through an extensive public involvement process with an encompassing Environmental Impact Statement, reached a Federal Record of Decision (ROD) in October 2002. The ROD identified a selected alternative, which is the basis for the I-405 Master Plan. The Master Plan, described in Appendix C, is a 20 -year vision of multi -modal improvements to the freeway, transit system, and arterials along the I-405 corridor, stretching from Tukwila to Lynnwood. Elements of this plan contained within the City of Tukwila include the elements listed above for the Implementation Plan and the following additions: • One additional lane (plus the one additional lane included with the Implementation Plan) in each direction of I-405 from the I -405/I-5 (Tukwila) interchange to the I-405/SR-167 interchange. • Reconfigure the I -405/I-5 Tukwila Interchange by adding a freeway -to -freeway direct connector for eastbound SR -518 to northbound I-5 general-purpose traffic, and adding freeway -to -freeway HOV direct connectors in each direction between northbound and southbound I-5 and I-405 east of I-5. • Convert the SB I-405 to NB I-5 HOV direct connector connection to I-5 from a right -side on to a left side on connection. • Add I-405 HOV direct accesses at Tukwila in the vicinity of the commuter rail station. Tukwila — WSDOT MOU Page 2 of 10 February 2004 • • Design Refinement The Implementation Plan and "Master Plan" phasing descriptions described above reflect what we know today based on the current conceptual -level of design and RTID funding discussions. The design will evolve as the level of design becomes more detailed, RTID funding levels are determined and design options are evaluated. The developed design is anticipated to fit within the definition of the "Selected Alternative" as documented in the October 2002 Environmental Impact Statement Federal Record of Decision. Based on this background, it is mutually agreed as follows. 2. PURPOSE The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to establish working principles by and between CITY and WSDOT to facilitate the design, construction, and operation of capital projects of those portions of the "Nickel", Implementation and Master Plan that reside within the CITY. 3. GOALS The goal of the principles is as follows: • Describe the general relationship between WSDOT and CITY that will facilitate WSDOT's primary commitment to in deliver the "Nickel" projects within the schedule, as mandated by the Legislature, and secondly, will facilitate formulation of the Implementation Plan and Master Plan, beginning from the early stages of the NEPA Environmental Assessment through the final stages of construction. The organizational structure is contained in Appendix D. • Commit to planning, designing and constructing projects, and integrating programs in a timely manner within the defined schedule (see Section 6). • Declare intent to execute future agreements to implement the "Nickel" Project, the Implementation Plan, and the I-405 Master Plan within the City of Tukwila, as funding becomes available. 4. PRINCIPLES A. Nickel, Implementation and Master Plan investments are to provide an efficient, integrated, multimodal system of phased transportation solutions within the corridor. B. The projects and services implemented for I-405 will provide for maintenance or enhancement of livability for communities within the corridor, including maintenance or improvement of air quality, protection or enhancement of fish - bearing streams and the continued integrity of the natural environment. Tukwila — WSDOT MOU Page 3 of 10 February 2004 • • C. The CITY and WSDOT are committed to supporting a vigorous state and regional economy by responding to existing and future travel needs. D. Nickel, Implementation and Master Plan investments will accommodate planned regional growth by incorporating regional and local planning documents into the design analysis. E. WSDOT and CITY will coordinate respective capital programs to take advantage of opportunities to reduce cost and increase benefit. Allocation arrangements will be negotiated within individual agreements between relevant entities to ensure that the cost of joint projects is assigned on a proportional basis. F. WSDOT and CITY will work together to pursue additional grants or other funds where value can be added to specific capital projects or where added projects can add significant benefits to the I-405 Master Plan. G. Construction schedules will be coordinated and managed such that disruption to the public and construction contracting community is kept at acceptable levels. It is recognized that a need exists to work with the CITY to define construction limitations that address access to the Tukwila Urban Center during the Christmas holiday season. H. WSDOT will perform the lead role on I-405 Corridor community involvement. WSDOT will keep the CITY informed of the community involvement activities it is undertaking and provide involvement roles for CITY when appropriate. I. Recognizing the above principles and the complexities of the tasks involved in them, CITY and WSDOT will expedite processes as scheduled, including but not necessarily limited to: • Identify qualified representatives to ensure timeliness and effectiveness of discussions and decisions. • Organize functions to ensure good communication between team representatives and between teams and the respective organizations. • Evaluate processes on an on-going basis to minimize time required to design and construct projects, and when possible, run processes in parallel instead of sequentially. J. Issues of conflict will be referred to the appropriate resolution process to reach agreement expeditiously and at the lowest level of hierarchy in accordance with the "Tukwila Advisory Process" flow chart, included in Appendix D. The spirit of these discussions will ensure rapid resolution, maximum cooperation, respect for financial responsibilities, and high integrity of individual and organizational missions. Tukwila — WSDOT MOU Page 4 of 10 February 2004 • • 5. STRUCTURE A Tukwila Advisory Committee (TAC) will be formed to address I-405 project related issues. This TAC will function as indicated in the "Tukwila Advisory Process" flow chart. The CITY will provide the City Engineer and a Senior Engineer to serve on the "Tukwila Advisory Committee". WSDOT will provide the South Renton Contract Manager and the Tukwila/Renton/Bothell Segment Manager to serve on the TAC. The TAC will provide a central CITY forum by which WSDOT can bring preliminary design sketches and information to gain CITY feedback on project options. As appropriate, the TAC will form Task Forces to coordinate specific issues. The Task Force will appoint a chair to report back to the TAC. The Task Forces will cease when the reason for forming has been resolved. As the project progresses into construction, the TAC will continue to be a forum for the discussion of project related issues. 6. SCHEDULE The primary goal of the I-405 project is to deliver the "Nickel" Proj ects within the schedule as mandated by the Legislature. To accomplish this goal, the following is the anticipated I- 405 "Nickel" schedule for the Tukwila segment work: July 2003 Start "South Renton" footprint design January 2004 Mainline "Best Fit" Analysis Briefing to TAC Late January 2004 "Nickel" and Implementation Plan Evaluation and Determination of Final Mainline Configuration November 2004 Start South Renton "Nickel" design January 2005 Start South Renton "Nickel" Environmental Assessment July 2005 Complete 5% Implementation Plan footprint July 2005 Complete 15% design for South Renton "Nickel" packages July 2006 Complete South Renton "Nickel" Environmental Assessment and Design / Build RFP package 2007-2009 Construct South Renton "Nickel" Project If an RTID public vote is held and approved in the fall of 2004, it is anticipated that the "Nickel" funding will roll into funding for developing the "Implementation Plan". The following is the anticipated I-405 "South Renton" Implementation Plan scheduled for the Tukwila segment work: February 2005 South Renton EA Design Refinements Public and Agency Scoping Meetings Summer 2006 NEPA South Renton Project Clearance July TBD Begin Right of Way Negotiations and Acquisitions April TBD Award Design/Build Contract June TBD Design -Build Design Complete June TBD Project Complete Tukwila — WSDOT MOU Page 5 of 10 February 2004 • • 7. FUNDING Both WSDOT and CITY will provide staffing as needed to assist in the Tukwila Advisory Committee's work. It is further agreed that each agency will fund their respective costs associated with staff time for coordination of the committee's activities. If, due to the successful approval of the RTID, the program and staffing needs are substantially impacted, WSDOT and the CITY will re -assess how to meet the CITY's staffing needs. 8. DISPUTE RESOLUTION WSDOT and CITY will work collaboratively to resolve disagreements arising from activities performed under this Memorandum of Understanding. Disagreements will be resolved promptly and at the lowest level of hierarchy 9. TERMINATION This Memorandum of Understanding may be terminated upon the mutual consent of the parties. 10. ENDORSEMENT IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto hereby agree to the terms and conditions of this Memorandum of Understanding as of the date first written above. For Washington State Department of For City of Tukwila Transportation Craig S Project Director Tukwila — WSDOT MOU W\ r\A4Lci- Steven Mullet Mayor, City of Tukwila Page 6 of 10 February 2004 • • APPENDIX A - "NICKEL" PROJECTS Effective July 1, 2003, the nickel gas tax provides $485 million to fund Phase I of the Master Plan, which includes early -start improvements to bring congestion relief to three critical I-405 traffic hotspots in Renton, Kirkland, and Bellevue. The new facilities and services within the Renton Nickel Project: • Add one new northbound lane from SR -181 (West Valley Highway) to SR - 167 (Valley Freeway); • Add one new southbound lane from SR -169 (Maple Valley Highway) to SR - 167; and • Provides congestion relief by adding a 3rd lane at the I-405 connection to southbound SR -167. This will be accomplished by extending the southbound SR -167 HOV north past the connection point. Tukwila — WSDOT MOU Page 7 of 10 February 2004 • - e APPENDIX B - IMPLEMENTATION PLAN The I-405 Executive Committee endorsed an Implementation Plan on October 2, 2003 that improves the I-405 multi -modal corridor continuously from I-5 in Tukwila to SR -522 in Bothell and accommodates the I-405 "Selected Alternative". The new facilities and services within the Implementation Plan include: • Adds one eastbound lane under I-5, connecting SR -518 to I-405 • Adds one lane in each direction from I-5 to SR -167 in Renton • Adds two lanes in each direction from SR -167 in Renton to I-90 • Adds one lane in each direction from I-90 in Bellevue to SR -520 • Adds two lanes in each direction from SR -520 to NE 124th in Kirkland • Adds one lane in each direction from NE 124th in Kirkland to SR -522 in Bothell • Adds one southbound lane from I-405 to SW 41st, and one northbound lane from S. 184th to I-405. • Reconstructs the SR 167 interchange as two independent overlapping interchanges: o One interchange to handle the I-405 to SR -167 system -to -system traffic by constructing a freeway -to -freeway direct connector for southbound I-405 to southbound SR -167 general-purpose traffic, and constructing freeway - to -freeway direct connectors between SR -167 and north I-405 for HOV traffic. o A second interchange to handle I-405 to local (Renton) street traffic by constructing a one-way frontage road couplet system with proposed I-405 connections to Talbot and Lind, and no connections to SR -167. o Three of the four existing I-405/SR-167 interchange "loop" ramps will be removed and replaced with the interchange improvements noted above, with only the northbound SR -167 to southbound I-405 ramp remaining in operation. • Constructs Bus Rapid Transit line with stations, HOV direct access ramps, park- and-ride lots, and bus service. • Expands the vanpool program More detailed descriptions of the above items are included in the Option C Implementation Plan, dated January 2004. Tukwila — WSDOT MOU Page 8 of 10 February 2004 • • APPENDIX C - MASTER PLAN The I-405 Record of Decision dated October 2002 defines the Selected Alternative. When fully implemented, the projects Master Plan will add up to two new lanes in each direction on I-405, create about 1,700 new vanpools, 50% more transit service, and 5,000 new park-and-ride spaces. A new Bus Rapid Transit system with stations and stops will also be part of this project and storm water runoff and salmon habitat will be substantially improved. The Selected Alternative within the cities of Tukwila and Renton includes the same elements as described in Appendix B for the Implementation Plan with the following additions: • One additional lane (plus the one additional lane included with the Implementation Plan) in each direction of I-405 from the I -405/I-5 (Tukwila) interchange to the I-405/SR-167 interchange. • Reconstruct the I -405/I-5 Tukwila Interchange by constructing a freeway -to - freeway direct connector for eastbound SR -518 to northbound I-405 general- purpose traffic, and constructing freeway -to -freeway direct connectors between I- 5 and east I-405 for HOV traffic. • Complete the I-405/SR-167 Interchange reconstruction by constructing a freeway - to -freeway direct connector for northbound SR -167 to southbound I-405 general- purpose traffic, constructing freeway -to -freeway direct connectors between SR - 167 and south I-405 for HOV traffic, realigning Rainier Avenue South (SR -167) so the section north of I-405 connects to East Valley Road south of I-405, and constructing two new ramps connecting south SR -167 with East Valley Road in the vicinity of SW 27th Street. • Construct I-405 HOV direct accesses at Tukwila in the vicinity of the commuter rail station and at Rainier Avenue South. • Construct a SR -167 HOV direct access at SW 27th Street. • Transportation Demand Management • Transit service expansion • Bus Rapid Transit Center - Tukwila Commuter Rail Station • HOV Express On I-405 with Direct Access Ramps - SR -181 (Commuter Rail Station) • Add Park & Ride Capacity - 700 spaces to the Tukwila / Renton vicinity • Add transit center capacity to meet demand - Tukwila • Expand capacity of north -south arterials o SR -181 - Strander to S. 200th o SR -181 - 144th to Grady Way o Southcenter Parkway - Tukwila Parwkay to Strander Blvd. • Upgrade Arterial Connections to I-405 - SR -181 West Valley Highway/Interurban • Corridor Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements o I -405/I-5 via or around I -405/I-5 Interchange - Add ped/bike facilities o SR -181/W. Valley Hwy - crossing I-405 from Strander Blvd to Fort Dent Way - Add bike lane Tukwila — WSDOT MOU Page 9 of 10 February 2004 • • APPENDIX D - TUKWILA ADVISORY PROCESS L J et S Tukwila — WSDOT MOU suolsiaep foil pue ssaooJd leuuoo Technical Process and Decisions Page 10 of 10 February 2004