Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Bridges Funding Guidance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
MPO adopts new local use‑fee guidance, approves $40,051 increase for Kimrod Road bridge
Summary
The MPO voted to adopt updated guidance combining Act 13 and local use‑fee applications with a new 5% match requirement and approved a $40,051 contract increase for the Kimrod Road bridge to cover a bid overrun and a utility relocation charge.
The Erie County MPO approved new guidance that will combine Act 13 applications and the local use‑fee process into a single application and require a 5% municipal match on all phases of projects funded under the local use fee.
Staff said the change departs from the previous approach in which the MPO programmed the local use‑fee funds by formula. Under the new guidance municipalities will apply for local use‑fee funds through the MPO, present projects to a subcommittee and provide a 5% match. "So municipalities would apply to the MPO for these funds, which is very different than what has been happening so far…there would be a 5% match on all phases of the program," staff said.
In a separate action the MPO approved a $40,051 increase to the Kimrod Road bridge project. PennDOT staff described components of the overrun: a $33,000 utility relocation charge from PEMELEC and approximately $6,391 as the contractor Thomas Construction's bid over the engineer's estimate. "Some of it was sort of kinda like you have to move electric line off of the bridge and relocate it. And then about 6,391, that was Thomas Construction's bid over estimate. So those that's how we got to the 40,051," a PennDOT presenter said.
Members discussed how the guidance will work in practice and asked whether the program would establish scoring criteria; staff said applications would be evaluated on established metrics including average daily traffic and condition for bridge projects, and that bridges must meet inspection thresholds for eligibility. The guidance also allows municipalities to request up to three amendments for increased costs if needed.
MPO members moved and seconded the guidance and the bridge increase; both motions passed on voice votes.
