Title
Independence Boulevard Busway Restoration Project
Action
Action:
A. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute an amendment for $950,000 to the Municipal Agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation for the design and construction of the busway entrance and exit on Independence Boulevard to cover the updated project cost, and
B. Adopt a budget ordinance appropriating an additional $950,000 from the CATS Revenue Reserve Fund to the CATS Capital Projects Fund for the Independence Boulevard Busway restoration project.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Brent Cagle, CATS
Kelly Goforth, CATS
David McDonald, CATS
Explanation
* The Independence Boulevard Busway was closed during the construction of the Hawthorne Lane Bridge for the CityLYNX Gold Line Phase 2 project and was anticipated to remain closed while the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) converted the busway to a toll facility as part of the Independence Boulevard widening project.
* NCDOT funding shortfalls have delayed the busway conversion to a toll facility, leaving the busway needing interim work to restore busway operation.
* On February 28, 2022, Charlotte City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into a Municipal Agreement with NCDOT to design and construct a project to reopen the busway at an estimated total cost of $750,000.
* The design of the project is complete, and NCDOT advertised the project for bid on July 19, 2023. No bids were received, so the project was readvertised on October 3, 2023. Two bids were received.
* Due to higher unit costs and contractor shortages, the project cost exceeds the previously authorized budget.
* On November 15, 2023, the Metropolitan Transit Commission approved an amendment to the FY2024 Capital Investment Plan to authorize additional funding to cover the updated cost of the project, now totaling $1,700,000.
* Construction is estimated to begin in early 2024 and be completed by mid-2024.
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