Resolution 11-017 Requesting ADOT&PF add Main Street /Sterling Highway Intersection Improvments to the STIP and Expanding the Project

CITY OF HOMER
HOMER, ALASKA

City Manager

RESOLUTION 11-017

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, REQUESTING THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES ADD THE PROPOSED MAIN STREET / STERLING HIGHWAY INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT TO THE STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (STIP), EXPAND THE PROJECT TO INCLUDE BRINGING MAIN STREET UP TO URBAN ROAD STANDARDS AND ADDING TRAFFIC CONTROL IMPROVEMENTS AT MAIN STREET AND PIONEER AVENUE, AND STIPULATING THAT IN RETURN, THE CITY WILL COMMIT $2 MILLION IT RECEIVED FROM A LEGISLATIVE GRANT FOR THE PROJECT AS A MATCH AND ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR OWNERSHIP AND MAINTENANCE OF MAIN STREET.

WHEREAS, The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT/PF) produced a Homer Intersections Study several years ago which identified the Main Street / Sterling Highway intersection as the intersection most in need of traffic control; and

WHEREAS, The City of Homer received a legislative grant in the amount of $2 Million dollars for Main Street and Main Street / Sterling Highway Improvements in 2008; and

WHEREAS, The City has been working with DOT/PF for several years in an attempt to secure upgrades for Main Street and has stated that it will assume ownership and maintenance responsibility for Main Street if the State brings it up to urban road standards similar to what occurred at Bartlett Street; and

WHEREAS, In 2009, DOT/PF informed the City again that it preferred to construct a roundabout at the Main Street / Sterling intersection, that $2 Million was not enough for a roundabout, and that it was not enough to improve both the intersection and Main Street itself; and
WHEREAS, The City Council subsequently determined that this intersection was dangerous and needed traffic control as quickly as possible and requested that DOT/PF install a traffic signal using the funds available; and
WHEREAS, DOT/PF has informed the City that $2 Million is not enough even for a traffic signal because significant intersection improvements would be required including underground utility work, curb and gutter work, turning lanes, and land acquisition; and

WHEREAS, DOT/PF recently informed the City that it would like to nominate the project for the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP List) so that it could obtain the additional federal funding necessary to complete the project and invited the City to help define the project parameters.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Homer City Council hereby requests that the ADOT/PF place the Main Street / Sterling Highway Intersection Improvements Project on the STIP List and that the project scope be expanded to include bringing Main Street up to City urban road standards and installation of the promised traffic control improvements at the Main Street / Pioneer Avenue intersection.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED in exchange, the City agrees to commit the $2 Million it received in a legislative grant for the Main Street / Sterling Highway Intersection to the project as a match and assume ownership and maintenance responsibility for Main Street.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council this 15th day of February, 2011.

CITY OF HOMER

_____________________________
JAMES C. HORNADAY, MAYOR
ATTEST:

______________________________
JO JOHNSON, CMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: N/A