MPO asks Bryan for $40,000 toward South College and University Drive complete-streets study

The Bryan City Council heard a funding request from the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for a planning study that would produce a complete-streets design for South College Avenue and a prioritized analysis of grade separations on University Drive.

Dan Rudge of the MPO said the MPO will contribute $175,000 of federal carryover funds and that the consultant estimate for the work is about $300,000. "So to humbly request, $40,000 from the city of Bryan," Rudge said, adding that College Station and Texas A&M have committed $40,000 each and that unused funds at study completion would be returned pro rata to funding partners.

Rudge described the study scope as twofold: a complete-streets design for South College Avenue between University Drive and Villa Maria, and a prioritization plan for potential grade separations along University Drive. He said the MPO will use a standard RFQ through Brazos County purchasing and that Brazos County will handle fiscal management. The MPO also proposed forming an oversight committee with five appointees from each funding jurisdiction to review consultant work.

Council members asked technical questions about what a ‘‘complete street’’ would look like, whether it would require additional right-of-way, and how improvements would be paid for if the study recommended major changes. Rudge described typical complete-streets elements — shared-use paths set off from travel lanes and wider pedestrian facilities — and said implementation funding would come from a mix of MPO programming and TxDOT funds with projects built in phases.

Council did not take a vote at the meeting but indicated general support for the concept and asked staff to evaluate a $40,000 local contribution and to nominate representatives to the oversight committee.