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Garden City commits local funding backing for RAISE grant application for grade-separated crossing
Summary
City staff and the governing body authorized a funding-commitment letter to accompany a U.S. DOT RAISE grant application for preconstruction work on a grade-separated crossing at Spruce Street and U.S. 83/50; staff estimates preconstruction at $913,000 and seeks 100% grant funding with the city agreeing to cover overruns beyond grant contingency.
The Garden City Commission on Jan. 20 authorized the mayor to sign a funding-commitment letter for the city's RAISE grant application seeking federal funding for preconstruction activities associated with a grade-separated crossing at Spruce Street and U.S. 83/50.
Why it matters: A funded RAISE application would cover preconstruction design and alternatives analysis for a major transportation crossing; the city's commitment letter is required for the application and signals local willingness to cover cost overruns beyond the grant award.
Staff reported that Wilson and Company produced an initial technical analysis with both overpass and underpass options to be considered. The engineering and preconstruction initial budget was estimated at $748,000; staff added contingency and inflation to bring the preconstruction budget for the application to $913,000. The RAISE program treats Finney County as a rural county and can award up to 100% of eligible project costs; the city applied for 100% funding. Staff warned the commission that while the grant would cover the project if awarded, the city must commit to fund any overruns above contingency and the awarded amount.
The RAISE application deadline was Jan. 30; staff said award notifications are expected in June and that, if awarded, preconstruction work would start near the end of the year and take roughly two years.
Commissioners asked whether the city had applied to RAISE previously; staff said this is the city's first submission to this particular program. The commission approved the mayor signing the funding-commitment letter.
Ending: Staff will submit the funding-commitment letter in the Jan. 30 application package; if the city receives an award, further design decisions and any construction approvals will return to the commission.
