CCRPC executive committee approves TIP amendments shifting funds for Champlain Parkway and other local projects

The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) Executive Committee on Sept. 15 approved a package of amendments to the FY2020–2023 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) that re-schedules federal and state funding for the Champlain Parkway and multiple bicycle, pedestrian and rail projects across Chittenden County.

Eleni Churchill, CCRPC transportation program manager, directed members to a previously distributed TIP amendment memo and asked Matthew Langham of VTrans to summarize the proposed changes. Christine Forde, CCRPC senior transportation planner, thanked Langham and said he “summarized the information appropriately.”

The largest single change re-schedules construction funding for the Champlain Parkway (Project HC001A). The amendment transfers $1,000,000 from construction to preliminary engineering in FY2021, moves $5,227,121 in federal construction funds from FY2021 to FY2022 (leaving $100,000 for FY2021), adds $5,227,121 to FY2022 (bringing FY2022 construction to $9,389,581), adds $10,000,000 for construction in FY2023 and adds a $9,960,419 balance for construction in FY2024. Staff told the committee these moves match the project’s expected late-September advertising date and an anticipated construction schedule in FY2022–FY2024; the amendment does not increase the overall construction cost.

The committee also added 2021 VTrans Bicycle and Pedestrian Program awards to the TIP. Changes approved included:

• VT15/Underhill Flats Sidewalk, Underhill (BP077): add $76,000 in additional federal funds to construct sidewalk along VT15 from Park Street to Dumas Street; the project previously received $347,022 in a 2013 Bicycle and Pedestrian award.

• Intervale Road shared-use path, Burlington (BP115): add $207,490 in federal funds for design in FY2022 for a 10-foot curb-separated path from Riverside Avenue to the Intervale Center; Burlington was awarded $1,162,000 in federal funds for construction as part of the 2021 VTrans awards.

• Riverside Village sidewalk, Jericho (BP116): add $112,000 in federal funds for design in FY2022 for a sidewalk on the east side of VT15 between the Jericho Market and Park Street; the project received a $600,000 2021 VTrans award.

Rail-related amendments included adjustments to TIGER VII and Section 130 funding lines and project descriptions:

• Burlington Train Station platform (RR007): reduce TIGER VII federal funds in FY2021 by $480,000 (to $400,000) and add $294,200 in TIGER VII funds in FY2022.

• Vermont Railway switch replacement, Burlington (RR013): revise the comment to note two switches (not three), update the cost estimate to $2,417,813 (53.94% Federal TIGER VII), remove $1,874,500 in TIGER VII funds from FY2021 and add $2,469,055 in FY2022.

• Amtrak siding, Burlington (RR014): update VTrans project number to VTRY(51); the latest cost estimate is $4,577,411 and the project is funded 100% with state funds, so no federal funds are shown in the TIP; construction is scheduled in FY2022.

• Intervale Road rail crossing improvements (RR015): because the FY2022 TIP had not yet been approved by FHWA, this amendment adds the project to the current TIP and adds $135,000 in federal Section 130 funds for preliminary engineering in FY2022 and $405,000 in Section 130 funds for construction in FY2022.

• Mallets Bay rail crossing improvements, Winooski (RR011): reduce Section 130 funds in FY2021 from $315,000 (construction) to $31,500 (preliminary engineering) and add $380,880 in Section 130 funds for construction in FY2022.

After the staff review, Immediate Past Chair Mike O’Brien moved and Treasurer John Zicconi seconded a motion “to approve the TIP amendments on behalf of the board.” The motion carried unanimously.

Under other business, O’Brien reminded members that the regular board meeting that evening was canceled because it fell on the Yom Kippur holiday. Executive Director Charlie Baker said staff would review the meeting calendar to avoid scheduling board meetings on significant holidays; members agreed. Jacki Murphy moved to adjourn at 5:09 PM, Zicconi seconded, and the meeting adjourned.

The amendments will be reflected in both the current FY2020–2023 TIP and the draft FY2022–2025 TIP as noted in staff materials.