University Heights committee weighs narrowing $2.0–$2.6 million CMAQ signal project as NOACA deadline looms

The University Heights Service & Utilities Committee on Aug. 1 discussed whether to accept or resize a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant programmed through NOACA for a citywide traffic-signal project, with staff saying a response will be needed soon and construction must be started by about July 1, 2027, if the city proceeds.

The discussion centered on two choices: pursue the full set of signal reconstructions described in a 2017 ordinance, which committee members said could require a multi‑million‑dollar local commitment, or reduce scope to signal improvements on corridor stretches (chiefly Cedar Road and nearby intersections) to gain safety and traffic-flow benefits at lower cost.

City Engineer Brenda McBee told the committee NOACA has the project programmed for state fiscal year 2027 (July 2026–June 2027) and that “it needs to be sold to a contractor to go to construction by June 2027,” adding that the scope can be adjusted and that CMAQ funding for the city is capped at about $500,000 for this award. McBee also said staff will try to obtain and distribute the original grant application and packet from the 2017–2018 process so council can confirm the prior assumptions and obligations.

Why it matters: NOACA’s schedule and the CMAQ scoring…