TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute Funding Agreement No. MOU.MR306.22, and any amendments as necessary, between the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and the City of Long Beach (City), to provide design funding for widening the Atlantic Avenue and Willow Street intersection. (District 6)
DISCUSSION
The Atlantic Avenue and Willow Street Intersection Project (Project) will improve existing traffic congestion and address impacts of the I-710 Corridor Project by adding a left and right turn lane to the northbound and southbound approaches of the intersection. The Project improves existing traffic deficiencies and addresses projected traffic volume growth by adding capacity to the turning movements. The proposed intersection widening is shown on the attachment.
On June 19, 2013, the I-710 Project Committee recommended $300,000 in Measure R "Early Action" funds for the Atlantic Avenue and Willow Street Widening Project for pre-design, design and right-of-way engineering. Atlantic Avenue and Willow Street were identified in the EIR as an impacted intersection in the I-710 Early Action Report. At its meeting on June 27, 2013, the Metro Board of Directors programmed $300,000 in Measure R funds to the City of Long Beach for the design of the Project, subject to the terms of a Funding Agreement. In order to proceed with the release of these funds from Metro, the City must enter into a Funding Agreement (Agreement). The Agreement specifies each agency's roles of the Measure R funds, which includes designing, reviewing, approving, and invoicing for the Project. The Agreement calls for the City to be responsible for the preparation of the plans, specifications, and estimates of the Project to widen the intersection and improve traffic congestion to meet projected traffic volumes by the year 2040. It is envisioned that the design will begin in Fiscal Year 2015 (FY 15), and construction will proceed after all right-of-way impacts have been identified and addressed, and construction funding has been secured.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Vu on January 30, 2014 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on February 6, 2014.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on March 4, 2014, to allow the City and Metro to proceed with the Project upon execution of the Funding Agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT
Upon the execution of the Funding Agreement, staff will return to City Council to request appropriations for the design funding. Design is anticipated to begin in FY 15. The Agreement does not constitute an approval for construction of the Project. Construction costs are currently unknown; staff will pursue additional funding for construction after the design plans have been completed and return to the City Council to request appropriations for the construction costs when funding is secured.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
ARA MALOYAN, PE
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER