Subject:
Title
Approval Re: Permission for the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization to Apply to the Rail Crossing Elimination Grant on behalf of Brevard County - Countywide
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Fiscal Impact:
To be determined once the number of crossings is determined. The match will be 20% for those crossings in Brevard County’s jurisdiction with a not to exceed (NTE) of $1.1M. The match will be budgeted in FY25 and paid for by fuel tax revenues.
Dept/Office:
Public Works Department/Finance and Contracts Administration
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested the Board of County Commissioners 1) grant approval for the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) to apply for the Rail Crossing Elimination Grant (or any subsequent opportunities) on behalf of Brevard County; 2) authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board the attached letter of support for the project; 3) authorize the County Manager to execute any necessary Supplemental Agreements (amendments), documents, and/or contracts contingent upon approval by the County Attorney’s Office; and 4) authorize the County Manager to approve any necessary Budget Change Requests associated with this request.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is anticipated to be posted for the Rail Crossing Elimination Grant administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation/Federal Railroad Administration in late May 2024. The closing date for applications is typically sixty days from the NOFO. The grant provides funding for highway-rail or pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects that focus on improving the safety and mobility of people and goods.
Staff is currently working with the TPO and its consultant to assess all Brevard County crossings for safety deficiencies and to finalize concept-level details for the subsequent grant submission. South of SR 528 where Brightline operates high-speed rail, Michigan Ave, Dixon Blvd, and Holly St were identified as needing improvements and will be included in the grant submission for those crossings maintained by Brevard County. The overall TPO grant submission is anticipated to also include crossings within the City of Melbourne and the City of Cocoa, each jurisdiction having to commit to its anticipated 20% match and subsequent maintenance costs.
As part of the County’s overall NTE of $1.1M, Staff is also looking to make various improvements North of SR 528. However, to ensure the grant submission is as competitive as possible, these improvements will not be submitted as part of the actual grant. Select safety improvements are instead being considered for Fay Blvd, a 4-lane arterial road crossing, and will be further developed by one of the County’s consultants in consultation with FEC. Additional 2-lane local road crossings are also being considered where potential low-cost safety improvements can be implemented. The specifics will be brought back to the Board either through additional details added to the Department’s subsequent Capital Improvement Program submission or in a subsequent agenda as needed.
In accordance with Administrative Order 75 - Grant Management, Board approval is needed to apply for the Rail Crossing Elimination Grant as a match is required.
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
Please return a copy of the signed Letter of Support to the Public Works Department.