TYPE OF TIGER GRANT APPLICATION: HIGHWAY
PROJECT LOCATION: BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, SHELBY COUNTY; 6TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT; ENTIRE PROJECT IS WITHIN THE BIRMINGHAM URBANIZED AREA AND IS AN URBAN INTERSTATE SECTION.
PROJECT NAME: WIDENING OF INTERSTATE 65 FROM U.S. 31 (STATE ROUTE 3) AT ALABASTER, ALABAMA TO COUNTY ROAD 52
GRANT FUNDS REQUEST: APPLICATION FOR $46 MILLION IN 100 PERCENT ARRA TIGER GRANT FUNDING
GRANT RECIPIENT: ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, DUNNS # 837892371, CCR # 3MHR1
PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT:
JOE McINNES, TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR, 334-242-6311, , ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, 1409 COLISEUM BOULEVARD, MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36110
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The project proposes widening Interstate 65 from a four-lane facility to an eight-lane facility commencing at U.S. 31 (also known as State Route (SR) 3) to a point 3.531 miles north at County Road (CR) 52. (See figure 1 for project location or access at http://www.dot.state.al.us/stimulus2009/TigerGrants.htm.)
The completed project would complete a multi-lane connection from points south of Birmingham, at Alabaster, to the downtown Birmingham area and outlying communities and cities around the Birmingham Urbanized Area via I-65 and I-459. Shelby County is the fastest growing area in the state. This project would provide increased and safer direct access to the jobs, shopping, and social/recreational activities for regional area serving the entire state and surrounding states. Existing congestion on this section of roadway is level of service “F-”. The road user encounters extreme congestion and delay at all times of the day. The project is also designed to accommodate an increased volume of multimodal commuter, pass through, and local traffic. The BRPC MPO staff has completed a study to construct Bus Priority Commuter and HOV lanes throughout this corridor. This project would enhance the use of vehicular and bus commuter service. A proposed design element of the reconstructed roadway would be dedicated lane/lanes for High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV)/Transit use. The project is in the planning stage and will be brought online consistent with fiduciary requirements under 23 USC 103, 118, and 133.
The project improves the long-term efficiency of traffic management in a congested corridor serving a major urban center network. The roadway improvement along this corridor will enhance the prospect for new business investments in conveniences for the motoring public. Additionally, facility connections from this area to regional and national centers of commerce provide additional opportunities for existing businesses along this corridor. The potential for growth can lead to further staffing needs, thereby affording increased employment opportunities for the Birmingham area. The project will enhance the traveling experience for motorists by providing additional traveling lanes that serve to relieve the level of burgeoning congestion along this corridor.
This corridor is part of the STRAHNET network, a critical element to the Department of Defense's (DOD's) domestic operations. It is part of the currently approved Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and currently approved Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the Birmingham metropolitan area. The project would increase energy efficiency by allowing for smooth and consistent travel speeds, with a reduction in the frequency of stops, continued braking, or downshifting in the roadway section, when capacity is reached. It is expected that consistent travel at a consistent speed would improve energy efficiency. The roadway improvement along this corridor will enhance the prospect for new business investments in conveniences for the motoring public. Additionally, facility connections from this area to regional and national centers of commerce provide additional opportunities for existing businesses along this corridor.
The current route is a major south to north corridor for the motoring public and for freight movement. Due to the high volume of heavy-duty truck traffic traveling this route, it is expected to provide more safe passage to the motoring public and allow for more consistent travel and less gearing down for heavy truck traversing this route.
The project scope of work is construction to rehabilitate and upgrade the existing roadway to provide a safe, efficient, environmentally sound intermodal transportation system for the motoring public.
Project ID and Scheduled Phasing:
(See http://www.dot.state.al.us/stimulus2009/TigerGrants.htm for detail data.)
100044672 CN 2011
The above is a planned project that has not been authorized. All other phases of the project work have been authorized and/or completed. If funding is available, ALDOT will advance work on all phases of this project.
Project Schedule:
(See figure 2 for project schedule or access at http://www.dot.state.al.us/stimulus2009/TigerGrants.htm.)
Traffic: (See http://www.dot.state.al.us/stimulus2009/TigerGrants.htm for detail data.)
AADT 2008 – 68,269 VPD
Commercial Vehicles – 11,600 VPD
Projected 2035 Traffic Volume – 140,574 VPD
Level of service – “F-”
Accidents/Injuries/Fatalities:
From January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2008
· 95 Injury Accidents
· 2 Fatal Accidents
· 282 Vehicles Damaged and Disabled
· 695 Vehicles Damaged, but not Disabled
· 1 Oversized Load Accident
· 1 Hazardous Cargo Accident
· 52 Tractor/Trailer Involved Accidents
· 76.68% Daylight Accidents
· 1.84% Dusk Accidents
· 2.774% Dawn Accidents
· 12.23% Night Unlighted Accidents
Safety issues are of primary consideration on this project. Within a two-year span (2006-2008), 95 injuries and 2 fatalities have occurred in this stretch of roadway. Of key significance are the 52 tractor/trailer-involved accidents during this same period. This highway is part of the STRAHNET network.
PROJECT PARTIES:
ALDOT in cooperation with the Birmingham MPO would be recipient of the grant and would administer the contract and construction of the project. ALDOT commits to maintenance and operation of the completed roadway. The MPO has provided a letter of support for ALDOT efforts to secure TIGER Grant funding for this project. The project is also supported by local agencies including the Cities, County governments, business organization, and community organization along the corridor. The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPCGB) has provided a support letter for ALDOT efforts in pursuing TIGER Grant funding for this project. The Project has met required legislative authority and enjoys broad support from the public as evidenced by comments obtained at public involvement meetings. (Letters of support for this project are available at http://www.dot.state.al.us/stimulus2009/TigerGrants.htm.)
GRANT FUNDS/SOURCES/USES:
The total cost of this project is $46 million. TIGER Grant funds in the amount of
$46 million would account for approximately 100 percent of the project cost. The scope of work for this project is construction only. Design/Environmental Clearance, right of way acquisition and utility relocation have been completed. The project is shovel ready and can begin construction as soon as funding is available. ALDOT would be responsible for construction, and construction management of the project.
(See http://www.dot.state.al.us/stimulus2009/TigerGrants.htm for detail cost data)
SELECTION CRITERIA:
Long Term Outcomes
State of Good Repair:
Improving the condition of existing transportation facilities and systems, with particular emphasis on projects that minimize life-cycle costs. The pavement within the limits of this project is classified as fair, meaning it has a Pavement Condition Rating (PCR) between 56 and 69 (on a 100-point scale). There are no bridges on this section of roadway.
(See http://www.dot.state.al.us/stimulus2009/TigerGrants.htm for detail condition data.)
1. ALDOT is committed to ensuring projects are consistent with relevant State, local and regional efforts to maintain transportation facilities of good repair. The current route is a major south to north corridor for the motoring public and for freight movement.
2. The aim of the project is to rehabilitate and upgrade the existing project to provide a safe, efficient, environmentally sound intermodal transportation system for the motoring public. Currently the project is a four-lane interstate and the proposed project would add two additional northbound lanes and two additional southbound lanes.
3. The project was brought online consistent with fiduciary requirements under 23 USC 103, 118 & 133.
4. Funding allocated to interstate and highway maintenance will provide revenue for long-term maintenance of this project
BCA:
ALDOT conducted a benefit/cost analysis for this project using accepted practices and FHWA BCA procedures. The B/C ratio on this project was projected to be 1.53:1. The formula was corrected to reflect current and projected interest rate of 4 percent, annual inflation rate of 3 percent, annual capitalization cost, average annual maintenance cost, an annual road user costs. The AIR of 3 percent was based on an average of outputs from the 20-year Congressional Budget Office Consumer price index forecast through 2018 and for subsequent years at 2.5 percent. Highway maintenance, congestion, crash savings and delay costs were based on FHWA’s May 2000 Addendum to the 1997 Federal Highway Cost Allocation Study final Report. FHWA was consulted to verify the values used for the BCA analysis.
(See http://www.dot.state.al.us/stimulus2009/TigerGrants.htm for detail BCA analysis.)
Economic Competitiveness:
Contributing to the economic competitiveness of the United States over the medium- to long-term.
1. The project improves the long-term efficiency, reliability and cost-competitiveness by providing a greater level of service to the motoring public by allowing for greater consistency in travel. Due to the volume of heavy-duty truck traffic traveling this route, it is expected to provide more safe passage to the motoring public and allow for more consistent travel and less gearing down for heavy truck traversing this route.
2. The improvement along this corridor enhances the prospect of new investments in travel convenience businesses for the motoring public. In addition, access to centers of commerce from this area lends itself to potential business development. Currently, Shelby County is the fastest growing county within the State of Alabama. It is attractive as a business center due to its central location within the State as well as being convenient to Birmingham, the state’s largest urban area. Additionally, I-65 provides a central corridor of approximately 363.25 miles to the motoring public. The Level of Service (LOS) of the proposed project is inadequate and numerous accidents and fatalities have been reported.
Livability:
Improving the quality of living and working environments and the experience for people in communities across the United States.
1. The project will enhance the traveling experience for motorists by providing an eight-lane facility to accommodate the burgeoning growth within this corridor. Additionally, this corridor is part of the STRAHNET network, a critical element to the Department of Defense's (DOD's) domestic operations.
2. Congestion along this corridor is decreased because of this project because the level of service is increased. Safety to the motoring public is increased.
3. The project improves accessibility and transportation services to residents of Shelby County, including the 162,351 disabled persons and 174,953 persons for whom poverty status as determined by the U.S. Census Bureau. During the planning process of this project, public participation was encouraged and ALDOT held public meetings consistent with Federal and State regulations.
4. The project is located in an area of ozone non-attainment and is part of the currently approved Conformity Determination for the Birmingham Metropolitan Area.
Sustainability:
Improving energy efficiency, reducing dependence on oil, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and benefiting the environment.
1. The project would increase energy efficiency by allowing for smooth and consistent travel speeds, with a reduction in the frequency of stops, continued braking, or downshifting in the roadway section under study, when capacity is reached. It is expected that consistent travel at a consistent speed would improve energy efficiency. The project proposes widening I-65 from a four-lane facility to an eight-lane facility commencing at SR-3 (also known as U.S. 31) to a point 3.531 miles north at CR-52.
2. The project avoids adverse environmental impacts as evidenced by the approved Programmatic Categorical Exclusion (PCE).
Safety:
Improving the safety of U.S. transportation facilities and systems.
1. It is expected that the rate of accidents will decrease resulting from this project. Expanding the existing four-lanes to an eight-lane facility would facilitate traffic movement and reduce sudden stops along the interstate due to excessive strains to the level of service. When the level of service is incapacitated, traffic along this corridor must quickly stop from a posted speed of 70 mph.
2. This corridor is part of the STRAHNET network, a critical element to the Department of Defense's (DOD's) domestic operations. The upgrade of this project enhances the efficiency of the corridor, and if activated, will serve in the STRAHNET operation of homeland security.
3. Safety issues are of primary consideration on this project. Within a two-year span (2006-2008), 95 injuries and 2 fatalities have occurred in this stretch of roadway. Of key significance are the 52 tractor/trailer-involved accidents during this same period. This highway is part of the STRAHNET network.
Job Creation and Economic Stimulus
Promote the creation of job opportunities:
A project objective is to promote the creation of job opportunities. The project will promote the creation of job opportunities for low-income workers using best practice hiring programs and utilization of apprenticeship (including pre-apprenticeship) programs.
1. During the construction phase of the project, needs for laborers and semi-skilled workers exist, along with skilled and professional personnel. It is expected that some labor needs will be met from the available local pool of potential employees.
2. Based on Estimates of Job Creation from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 (May 2009), this project would create 497 direct, indirect and induced Job-Years as a result of the stimulus program. (See a copy of this document on the ALDOT FTP site.)
3. During the construction phase of the project, in addition to meeting the employment needs directly associated with the construction of this project, there exists a need to maintain support facilities in terms of sanitation facilities and health and safety needs.
Provide maximum practicable opportunities for small businesses and DBEs: Another project objective is to provide maximum practicable opportunities for small businesses and DBE’s, including veteran-owned small businesses and service disabled veteran-owned small businesses.
1. The latest available U.S. Census detail, Census 2005-2007, the ethnic composition of the county consists of 90.5% White, 7.5% African-American, 2.0% Hispanic, 1.2% Asian, and 0.6% Native American or Alaska Native.
2. According to the latest available U.S. Census detail, Census 2005-2007, 12,772 veterans reside in Shelby County. Of this number of veterans, 31.1 percent are ages 18 to 34, 42.2 percent are between the ages of 35 to 54, and 14.7 percent are between the ages of 55 and 64.