WORK SESSION ITEM City Council

DATE: STAFF: October 25, 2016 Mark Jackson, PDT Deputy Director WORK SESSION ITEM City Council SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION I-25 Northern Colorado Improvements. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of this item is to update Council on current and planned improvements to Interstate 25 (I-25) in northern Colorado, and to review Fort Collins efforts in support of regional collaboration to accelerate the work. Representatives from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Region 4 will attend to present and discuss planned improvements. GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED 1. Does Council have questions or concerns for CDOT related to current or planned improvement projects on North I-25? 2. Does Council support staff bringing forward a Resolution of support to explore partnership opportunities that include the Prospect/I-25 interchange in the corridor base case project, or as an Additional Request for Enhancement (ARE)? Or would Council an additional work session on this topic before year's end? Desired Outcomes Council awareness of I-25 improvements planned and underway, and of Fort Collins commitment to regional collaboration and partnership Support to examine opportunities that maximize partnerships and extend improvements beneficial to Fort Collins made as part of the North I-25 Improvements project Recognize collaborative efforts of regional agencies and private interests to promote sustainable long-term funding for regional and statewide transportation needs. BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION Interstate 25 is the key interstate linkage in Northern Colorado, and serves as a major freight route as well as a key general travel connection between the Denver metro area to the south. Current infrastructure deficiencies, combined with increasing travel demand on the corridor result in safety and congestion issues along the Northern Colorado I-25 Corridor. Numerous efforts, initiatives, and actions have been taken or are underway to accelerate improvements to I-25. The City of Fort Collins has collaborated with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Larimer County, and other regional agencies, organizations and private interests to identify funding assistance and pursue long-term, sustainable funding for transportation needs in Colorado. Fort Collins participation in recent I-25 related efforts include: (2011) Fort Collins participation in the I-25 North Environmental Impact Statement. This multi-year, multiple-agency transportation and environmental planning effort identified roadway capacity and transit

October 25, 2016 Page 2 needs and solutions for the northern I-25 Corridor. City of Fort Collins staff participated on the project Technical Committee and its subcommittees. Significant community outreach was performed as part of the I- 25 EIS. (2012) City of Fort Collins partnered with Windsor and CDOT to rebuild and improve the I-25/SH-392 interchange. Local contribution was $2.5 million and included urban design elements. (2013-current) I-25 North Project Design (CDOT). CDOT identified three projects for design work on the northern I-25 Corridor. One segment under design is I-25 from SH-392 to SH-14. (2013-current) Fort Collins participation in I-25 Coalition. In the fall of 2013, elected officials and their designees from three counties and fourteen communities along the I-25 Corridor in Northern Colorado formed the I-25 Coalition. The I-25 Coalition has grown steadily, with a current distribution list of almost 90 including representatives. The Coalition s primary goal is to accelerate construction of a third lane in each direction of I- 25 as identified in the I-25 North Project (from State Highway 6 to State Highway 14). (2014) North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (NFRMPO) votes to allocate $5 million in regional transportation funds to two I-25 related projects: o I-25 truck climbing lane on Berthoud Hill ($3M) o Improvements to I-25 bridge over Crossroads Boulevard ($2M) (October 2015) Council passes Resolution 2015-089 (7-0) and a letter to Governor Hickenlooper urging support and submission of CDOT s application for National Disaster Resilience Competition funds. (November 2015) Council passes Resolution 2015-100 (7-0) supporting Larimer County s proposal to temporarily reallocate a portion of their General Fund Mill Levy to the County Road and Bridge Fund with the express purpose of making improvements to northern I-25. (December 15, 2015) Council passes Resolution 2015-112 (7-0) supporting the I-25 Coalition efforts urging the Colorado legislature to make timely improvements to northern I-25. (February 2016) Council appropriates $30,000 in contribution to contract with a lobbying and communications firm to advocate for solutions to Interstate 25 traffic congestion. (April 2016) Council passes Resolution 2016-035 supporting TIGER and FASTLANE grant applications seeking improvements to I-25 and authorizing the Mayor to write a letter of support. (September 2016) $2.25 million in local funds included in City Manager s recommended 2017-2018 budget in contribution to regional local match for I-25 improvements. (October 2016) Council authorizes the Mayor to enter into an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Larimer County and other local agencies to remit funds equal to an increase in local share of County road and bridge funds for a period of five years. Fort Collins contribution is estimated at $2.2 million over five years. (Spring 2017) Larimer County and Fort Collins to pursue a Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) grant for enhancements and trail connections to the Poudre River bridge at I-25. Improvements to I-25 Several projects to improve I-25 in Northern Colorado are either underway or scheduled for construction. Most notably, CDOT has identified funds, including $15 million in Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) federal grants and $25 million in local/regional/private contributions, to make improvements to I-25 between SH-14 (Mulberry) and SH-402 (Loveland). Improvements made as part of the North I-25 Improvements Project include an additional managed lane in each direction (providing toll and high occupancy vehicle use, as well as improved transit travel time), and improvements to several bridges. These improvements help address pressing safety and congestion problems plaguing I-25.

October 25, 2016 Page 3 Current I-25 improvement projects underway or scheduled include: Berthoud Hill Climbing Lane Project (underway, scheduled for completion end of 2016) Crossroads Boulevard Bridge Improvement Project (2016 thru 2018) North I-25 Improvements Project (2017-2020) Additional Request for Enhancements (ARE) The North I-25 Improvements Project presents a unique opportunity to explore additional corridor enhancements in partnership with public agencies and private development. Additional funding brought to the project, combined with cost efficiencies of integrating with the design/build process, could result in improvements that further benefit I-25 as well as local communities and development. Local agencies and private interests are expressing interest in adding interchange improvements, bridge widening, and new slip ramps and park and ride facilities through a process called Additional Requests for Enhancements (ARE). Requests for enhancements must be submitted before CDOT issues requests for project bids in January 2017. Fort Collins has identified the Prospect Road/I-25 Interchange as a potential candidate for either inclusion into the base case design/build plan or ARE. Staff is also exploring the possibility of public-private partnerships to help make the project feasible. Regional Collaboration and Fix North I-25 Efforts Finding solutions for I-25 in Northern Colorado has united the northern Front Range communities, agencies, and private interests in common purpose. Six Northern Colorado communities, Weld and Larimer Counties, CDOT, Chambers of Commerce, the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (NFRMPO) and private businesses are collaborating to accelerate improvements to I-25. The North I-25 Coalition has grown steadily, with a current distribution list of almost 90 including representatives from Adams, Larimer and Weld counties, Berthoud, Broomfield, Dacono, Erie, Firestone, Fort Collins, Frederick, Johnstown, Loveland, Mead, Northglenn, Timnath, Thornton and Windsor as well as CDOT, businesses and other interested agencies. Efforts to accelerate improvements to I-25 are not solely due to local agency support. Private interests are also making their voice heard in policy and legislative matters related to regional statewide transportation funding needs. The Fix North I-25 Business Alliance was formed by the Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance (NCLA) in 2014 with the purpose of urging CDOT and the State legislature to make timely improvements to I-25 roadway capacity in northern Colorado, and to push for sustainable, long-term funding for statewide transportation infrastructure needs. This group, in partnership with elected officials of the I-25 Coalition, is very involved in discussions with legislators, particularly related to continuing the TRANS bond issuance, and finding additional State funds for existing and unmet transportation infrastructure needs. More information on the Fix North I-25 efforts can be found at: <https://fixnorthi25.com/> The regional collaboration goes beyond political and policy issues. Six local agencies, Larimer and Weld Counties, and a private developer through Loveland s metro District, committed $25 million in funds to help CDOT meet local match requirements for the TIGER grant award and planned corridor improvements. Breakdown of local funding contributions include: City of Fort Collins $2.25M City of Loveland $2M Town of Berthoud $500K Town of Johnstown $1M Larimer County mill levy $10M Weld County $2M

October 25, 2016 Page 4 Town of Timnath $500K Town of Windsor $1M Loveland Metro District $6M Public Information Current and planned construction on the North I-25 Corridor will have an impact on local residents and businesses for several years. It is important to make sure clear and timely information is available via numerous media sources including online, print and personal communications. CDOT and the North I-25 Improvement Project team are committed to a robust public information program to help people stay abreast of the project and offer travel tips and information. In addition, the City of Fort Collins has created an I-25 information page at <http://www.fcgov.com/transportation/i25.php>. This page offers background information on I-25 related improvements and includes links to CDOT projects, Fix North I-25, and CDOT s successful Bustang regional express service to Denver. The City of Fort Collins will work closely with CDOT to help disseminate information, and provide check-in opportunities with boards and commissions and Council throughout the project, as necessary. ATTACHMENTS 1. Berthoud Hill Fact Sheet (PDF) 2. I-25 Crossroads Bridge Replacement (PDF) 3. CDOT I-25 Project Fact Sheet (PDF) 4. Powerpoint presentation (PDF)

ATTACHMENT 1 FACT SHEET Work to Begin on Interstate 25 Climbing Lane Project PROJECT BACKGROUND: Starting the week of May 16, crews will begin working on the Interstate 25 Climbing Lane project, spanning from mile point 245.87 to mile point 249.84. Throughout this project a third climbing lane will be added on the southbound side of Interstate 25 to provide trucks and oversized vehicles with an additional travel lane. The additional lane will provide relief to motorists and improve overall traf c operations by reducing delays caused by inade uate passing opportunities and allowing for two lanes of freeowing traf c. dditional work items include the mill and overlay of all northbound and southbound lanes, widening the bridge at Valley Road in addition to excavation, embankment and drainage improvements along the corridor. This project is expected to be completed by Spring of 2 17. S M Construction of Centennial was awarded the prime contract on this approximately $10.3 million project. TRAVEL IMPACTS: Travelers should expect shoulder closures during road improvements. Construction work hours will run from 7 a.m. to 5 30 p.m., Monday through riday. dditional night work will be re uired to complete the mill and overlay portion of the construction and is expected to begin on Sunday, May 22. Construction hours for night work will run from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. and single lane closures are anticipated for both northbound and southbound traf c. Speed limits through the project work zone will be reduced to 65 mph. No vehicle width restrictions are predicted during this project. Communicating with Us: To receive update about road conditions, construction information, or if you have uestions or concerns, please send us an email at i25climbinglane@gmail. com, call the project hotline at 970-373- 1584 or log on to the project website: www.cdot.gov/projects/. SH 56 WRC 44 To Berthoud Mead I-25 I-25 END PROJECT IM 0253 243 M.P. 249.844 STA. 259+25.00 WRC 38 BEGIN PROJECT IM 0253 243 M.P. 245.879 STA. 49+74.27 WRC 34

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ATTACHMENT 4 I-25 Northern Colorado Improvements Regional Collaboration and Project Update Mark Jackson Planning, Development & Transportation 1

Purpose Update Council on current and planned improvements to I-25 in Northern Colorado Project overview and update from Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Recognize regional collaboration leading to accelerated improvements CDOT Guests: Johnny Olson, Region 4 Transportation Director Heather Paddock, Region 4 Central Program Engineer, North I-25 Project Lead Other Guests In Attendance: 2

General Direction Sought 1. Does Council have questions or concerns for CDOT related to current or planned improvement projects on North I-25? 2. Does Council support staff bringing forward a Resolution of support to explore partnership opportunities that include the Prospect/I-25 interchange in the corridor base case project, or as an Additional Request for Enhancement (ARE)? Or would Council an additional work session on this topic before year's end? 3

Background I-25 Northern Colorado s key interstate highway linkage Critical for commuters and movement of goods Increasing demand plus aging infrastructure Long range improvements for entire corridor estimated at $1.3 billion Where to start? 4

Regional Collaboration Public and Private Collaboration Goal 1: Accelerate improvements to I-25 in Northern Colorado Goal 2: Help push for long term sustainable transportation funding solutions in CO Local agencies and interests pledged $25 million CDOT awarded $15 million in TIGER grant funds North I-25 Improvement Project moved forward by 15 years! 5

City and County Governments (Mayor Pro Tem Horak, Commissioner Donnelly) NCLA/Fix North I-25 (David May, Sandra Hagen Solin) North Front Range MPO (Terri Blackmore) Colorado Transportation Commission (Kathy Gilliland) Colorado Department of Transportation (Johnny Olson) Regional Collaboration: Key Players 6

I-25 Improvements Berthoud Hill Climbing Lane Crossroads Boulevard/I-25 Bridge Replacement North I-25 Improvements Project Managed lanes Widen/replace bridges Allow for key regional trail connections Completion 2020 7

Fort Collins Opportunity: Prospect Interchange I-25/Prospect Interchange outdated, regional growth pressures Local Opportunity: Prospect Interchange Base Case Inclusion Additional Requests for Enhancements (ARE) Staff exploring partnerships Window of opportunity 8

I-25 Information: CDOT Public Information https://www.codot.gov/projects/ I25NorthExpressLanes City of Fort Collins http://www.fcgov.com/transport ation/i25.php 9