| Your E-News Update from the Transportation Policy Committee (TPC)
Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs, Chair
April 19, 2006 Meeting Summary
Message from the Chair
The TPC's recommended approval of the Draft 2007-2011 MAG Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) may have seemed fairly routine, but it represented a historic moment for the TPC. Not only was it the first TIP to be recommended for approval since Proposition 400 half-cent sales tax money began flowing in January, it is also the largest TIP ever. At $6.3 billion, it includes $2.1 billion in projects using Regional Area Road Funds alone. The Draft TIP includes all of the major elements of the first phase of the Regional Transportation Plan, plus an additional year. It contains more than 1,200 transportation projects and identifies federally-funded projects, Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) projects, transit projects (including light rail), and all regionally significant projects within the region. The Committee action recommends approval of the Draft TIP for an air quality conformity analysis as required by law. The agenda item was sent to the MAG Regional Council for approval. Once a conformity analysis is complete, the TIP will come back through the MAG process for final approval. With this action, we are again reminded of the commitment voters made to improving our regional transportation infrastructure through the extension of the half-cent sales tax. It is with great satisfaction that we move this first important phase of the Regional Transportation Plan through the MAG process. Meeting Summary Interim Closeout of Federal Fiscal Year 2006 MAG Federally Funded Program
The TPC recommended approval of a list of projects to be carried forward from FY 2006 to FY 2007 as part of requests from member agencies to defer approximately $11.2 million in projects. As a result of the deferments, the amount of funds available during the interim closeout is just over $4.3 million. The deadline for member agencies to submit requests for projects to utilize these funds was April 28, 2006. Once projects are prioritized through the committee process, they will be recommended for approval during the FY 2006 Closeout Process.
Recommended Approval for I-10 Widening
The TPC recommended approval of a request to accelerate the widening of I-10 from Loop 101 to the vicinity of Sarival Road in the West Valley, just east of the future interchange at Loop 303. The proposal would advance construction of the Loop 101 to Dysart section from 2014 to 2008, and the Dysart to Sarival section from 2011 to 2008. The accelerated project would cost about $130 million. The cost of the acceleration would be financed primarily through Grant Anticipation Notes, which are used to leverage future federal funds. The notes will be paid back at the time the project was originally scheduled in the Plan. Participating jurisdictions (Goodyear, Avondale and Litchfield Park) will be responsible for about $10 million in interest expense.
Proposed Material Cost Increases
The TPC recommended approval of material cost increases for 12 projects in FY 2006. State law requires that MAG approve any change in priorities, new projects or changes that would materially increase program costs in the Regional Transportation Plan. ADOT has requested cost increases for a dozen projects totaling approximately $28.1 million. The request reflects recent cost increases in right-of-way, construction materials, and overall project bid levels, as well as design considerations. The cost increases can be accommodated within the current cash flow by the deferral of other projects that were not yet ready for funding.
FY 2006 MAG Mid-Phase Public Input Opportunity
Under MAG's adopted public involvement process, members of the public are provided the opportunity to comment on transportation plans and programs during four phases: Early Phase, Mid-Phase, Final Phase and Continuous Involvement. The Mid-Phase Public Input Opportunity was conducted from February 2006 through March 2006. Input opportunities included meetings of the MAG Management Committee, Transportation Policy Committee and Regional Council, several special events, and a Joint Transportation Open House and Public Hearing. Events and opportunities were held in conjunction with ADOT, Valley Metro and METRO. A report summarizing comments received during the phase was presented.
Draft MAG Regional Transportation Plan 2006 Update
Along with the recommended approval of the Draft TIP as noted above, the TPC recommended approval of the Draft MAG Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) 2006 Update for an Air Quality Conformity Analysis. The analysis is required under the 1990 Clean Air Act, which mandates that transportation plans and programs be in conformance with applicable air quality plans. The major new items in the 2006 RTP Update are revised revenue estimates, and inclusion of the life cycle programs for freeways/highways, arterial streets, and transit.
Future Meetings and Events
The MAG Offices are located at 302 N. 1st Avenue, Phoenix. Meeting rooms are on the second floor. Let's Keep Moving E-Update is a monthly electronic newsletter providing information about the Transportation Policy Committee and the implementation of the Regional Transportation Plan. For questions regarding this publication, or to be removed from the distribution list, contact Kelly Taft at (602) 254-6300, or via e-mail at ktaft@mag.maricopa.gov. |
