Title
Federal Funding for the East Charlotte Connector
Action
Action:
A. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to negotiate and execute a grant agreement with the Federal Highway Administration to accept Fiscal Year 2023 Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program funds in the amount of $1,400,000 for the East Charlotte Connector, and
B. Adopt a budget ordinance appropriating $1,400,000 from the Federal Highway Administration to the General Capital Projects Fund.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Debbie Smith, Transportation
Samantha Miller, Transportation
Explanation
* This project is a result of a robust study and community engagement process conducted by the Corridors of Opportunity program in 2022 and was further refined by a multi-departmental team during the development of the East Charlotte (CLT) Connector Framework Plan in 2025.
* The program goals align with the goals in Charlotte's Strategic Mobility Plan, particularly the goal to create mode shift from single-occupancy vehicles to active modes like walking and biking and to better connect residents to essential goods and services.
* The East CLT Connector, (formerly the Albemarle Cultural Trail) is a planned, comprehensive eight-mile pedestrian and bicycle corridor intended to safely and more effectively connect surrounding neighborhoods to key destinations within the Albemarle/Central Corridor of Opportunity in Council District 5.
* The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP) competitive grant program to construct projects that provide safe and connected active transportation facilities in active transportation networks.
* As part of the ATIIP, the city was awarded a $1,400,000 planning grant to advance the feasibility design of the preferred alignment within the Albemarle/Central Corridor of Opportunity.
* Grant requirements include a 20 percent local match. The total budget for the project i...
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