CCRPC to warn TIP amendment for Champlain Parkway after bid-driven cost increases; two RAISE grant applications due

The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission’s Joint Finance & Executive Committee on April 6 agreed to warn a major Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) amendment for the Champlain Parkway for public hearing in May after staff reported sizeable cost increases.

Executive Director Charlie Baker told members the Champlain Parkway project has a sizeable cost increase after bids were reviewed. Charlie said the project remains heavily federally funded: roughly 95% federal funds, with the City of Burlington responsible for a 2% match and the State of Vermont covering the remaining 3%.

Eleni Churchill said the UPWP draft will be updated with deliverables that come from VTrans TPI guidance and noted that land use projects would be refined in coordination with the regional planning scope with ACCD. Committee members discussed whether the Burlington City Council was aligned; Charlie said the council was on board.

Charlie also reported the commission is supporting two RAISE grant applications due April 14. He said CCRPC is in a supporting role with VTrans, Winooski, and Burlington on a Main Street/Winooski River Bridge RAISE application for the maximum $25 million; VTrans will be the applicant. Charlie said CCRPC is the applicant for a Transit-Oriented Development planning RAISE grant—requesting about $2 million—to help multiple counties, including Chittenden, develop TOD plans and regional transit forecasting and governance.

The committee agreed to warn the FY23 UPWP & Budget and the TIP amendment for public hearing in May and to include a presentation from Jon Moore on proposed Green Mountain Transit service reductions at the April Board meeting.