Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Grants topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bowling Green to seek $2.3 million federal grant for Russellville Road corridor design
Summary
The city authorized submission of a US DOT grant application up to $2.3 million for design and preconstruction work on the Russellville Road corridor, citing pedestrian safety, stormwater fixes and potential bridge replacement; staff said construction could cost roughly $15.5 million.
The Bowling Green City Commission unanimously approved a motion to submit a US Department of Transportation ‘‘Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development’’ grant application for up to $2,300,000 to advance design and preconstruction for the Russellville Road corridor improvement project.
City staff described the request as funding primarily for engineering and environmental work tied to a larger multimillion-dollar rebuild that could include two roundabouts, a widened underpass beneath a railroad bridge, pedestrian facilities on both sides of the roadway and stormwater improvements. ‘‘Construction estimated at approximately 15 and a half million dollars,’’ said a city staff member involved in the project.
Staff provided a cost breakdown in materials distributed to commissioners: about $900,000 for preliminary engineering, $200,000 for environmental work and roughly $1.2 million for final engineering and related preconstruction activities. City staff said prior applications for the same project were submitted under prior federal programs (RAISE and BUILD) and that this is the fourth application cycle.
Project proponents said the corridor covers four census tracts characterized as areas of persistent poverty or historically disadvantaged communities, which allows the city to apply without a local match and makes the project more competitive for federal funding. A staff-circulated survey of nearby residents reported that 79% of respondents said they would accept sustained construction closures if the project proceeds.
Commission discussion focused on safety, drainage and the potential need for significant short-term lane closures during construction. The commission voted by roll call to authorize the application; the motion carried unanimously (Hill, Perrigan, Bailey, Beasley Brown and Alcott voting yes).
If awarded, staff said the grant would be used to procure engineering services and advance the project to a shovel-ready status that could leverage additional funding for construction.
Next steps: staff will finalize the federal application and submit it for the current funding round.
