Please Note:  If there are supporting documents, they will be listed on the detailed sheet for each agenda item (following the overall agenda).  Clicking on these will bring up that attachment.

Centre County Metropolitan Planning Organization (CCMPO)
Coordinating Committee Meeting

Tuesday, June 23, 2009  

6:00 pm  

AGENDA

1.   Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

2.  Approval of Minutes:  May 28, 2009 Coordinating Committee meeting  

3.   Citizen Comments:  For items not on the agenda  

4.  Centre County Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP): Project Ranking Criteria

            Action:  Approve project ranking criteria  

            Action:  Establish policy about advancing project, and respond to Marion Township  

6.  Route 322 Corridor Safety Improvements (Harris and Potter Townships ):  Route 322 Corridor Safety Improvements (Harris and Potter Townships ):  Route 322 Corridor Safety Improvements (Harris and Potter Townships ):  Route 322 Corridor Safety Improvements (Harris and Potter Townships ):  Route 322 Corridor Safety Improvements (Harris and Potter Townships ):  Route 322 Corridor Safety Improvements (Harris and Potter Townships ):  Route 322 Corridor Safety Improvements (Harris and Potter Townships ):  Route 322 Corridor Safety Improvements (Harris and Potter Townships ):  Route 322 Corridor Safety Improvements (Harris and Potter Townships ):  Route 322 Corridor Safety Improvements (Harris and Potter Townships ):

Status report from PennDOT District 2-0

No action required

7.  American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) TIGER Discretionary Grant Program:

            Guidance about candidate projects for TIGER Program

            Action:  Direct staff to submit an application for a candidate project(s)

8.  Pennsylvania Community Transportation Initiative (PCTI):

a.   Moshannon Valley Park and Ride Lot Study (sponsor – CCMPO/North Central RPO)

                        Action:  Amend FY 2009-10 Unified Planning Work Program to include project funding

            b.   Old Gatesburg Road Extension (sponsor – Ferguson Township )

Action:  Approve completion of Air Quality Conformity Analysis and public comment period, in order to include project on the LRTP and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) in September 2009

9.  Announcements  

10.  Adjourn

ITEM 4  

CENTRE COUNTY LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN (LRTP)

Project Ranking Criteria

At its February 24, 2009 meeting, the Coordinating Committee authorized the Project Ranking Committee (PRC) to prepare a survey to help guide the development of the goals and objectives of the LRTP.  The goals and objectives will serve as the framework for new project ranking criteria.  The Goals and Objectives Survey was provided to Coordinating Committee members on April 3, 2009.  Nineteen of twenty-tree surveys were returned (83% response rate).  

The PRC met on April 28 and May 12 to review the survey results and begin the development of new project ranking criteria.  A summary of the survey results and the PRC’s draft project ranking criteria were discussed by the Coordinating Committee on May 28, 2009, and Committee members provided comments for consideration by the PRC.  

The PRC met again on June 10 to discuss the Coordinating Committee’s comments, prepare a final draft of the proposed project ranking criteria and perform a test run using sample projects.  In order to begin the project solicitation process by mid-summer 2009, the Coordinating Committee should consider approving project ranking criteria at this meeting.  

Staff will provide an overview of the final draft project ranking criteria.  

The Coordinating Committee should discuss the staff report, and consider approving the project ranking criteria to be used for the LRTP.  

Attached are:  

  Staff PowerPoint presentation  
  Draft project ranking criteria prepared by the PRC  

Presented by:   Mike Bloom, CCPCDO  

Action:   Approve project ranking criteria for the preparation of the LRTP.

ITEM 5  

I-80/ROUTE 26 SECTION A18 LOCAL ACCESS INTERCHANGE  

Marion Township Request to Reconsider Project  

The I-80/Route 26 Local Access Interchange is one of two new interchanges proposed to connect I-99 to I-80 in Spring and Marion Townships .  The Local Access Interchange is needed in order for a High Speed Interchange to be constructed on the site of the current Exit 161 (Bellefonte) Interchange.  The High Speed Interchange will be a “closed” interchange that provides for traffic movements directly between I-99 and I-80, but does not provide access to the local road system.  Access to local roads will only be provided by the Local Access Interchange, located approximately 3 miles north of the current Exit 161 on Route 26 (Jacksonville Road).  

The two interchanges have advanced through the design phase.  The Local Access Interchange must be constructed first, and was previously scheduled for a bid letting in early 2009.  However, because sufficient funding was not committed for construction, both interchanges were removed from the Centre County Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and 2009-2012 Centre County Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) in July 2008.  

At the September 23, 2008 Coordinating Committee meeting, Marion Township officials expressed concern about the location and potential impacts of the Local Access Interchange.  In December 2008, the CCMPO received correspondence from Marion Township requesting that the Local Access Interchange be reconsidered.  The Township’s correspondence stated that the current roadway condition of Route 26 does not favor the proposed location of the Local Access Interchange, and stated that local access should be provided at the site of the existing Exit 161 interchange.  

The Coordinating Committee discussed the request on February 24, 2009, and requested additional information from PennDOT and MPO staff about the history and planning process relative to the project. In March, the CCMPO received additional correspondence from Marion Township .  The MPO and PennDOT District 2-0 staff prepared responses to several questions from the Township.  The staff responses and the additional information requested in February were presented to the Coordinating Committee on April 28, 2009.  No action was taken by the Coordinating Committee in April.

Because funding has not been committed for the Construction phase of either interchange, the next formal action required by the CCMPO will be related to securing funding for the projects.  If funding is committed for the projects, the CCMPO will then need to add the projects to the LRTP and TIP.  

Four potential sources of funding were noted in the Coordinating Committee’s April 28 agenda:  

·         I-80 Toll Conversion Project

·         “Spike” funding committed by Pennsylvania ’s Secretary of Transportation through the cyclical update of the Transportation Improvement Program and Twelve Year Transportation Program

·         An earmark of federal funds in the new federal authorization legislation

·         The discretionary capital funding program included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) federal stimulus legislation [Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grants Program].

      Option 1:   Proceed with the projects as planned  

      Option 2:   Stop the current projects, reopen the environmental clearance document,
and re-evaluate alternatives  

A table outlining positive and negative impacts associated with the options is attached.  The table has been updated to include comments received at the Technical Committee meeting.  

On June 10, 2009, the CCMPO Technical Committee discussed the options, and approved two motions:  

Motion #1 – The Technical Committee recommended that the Coordinating Committee approve Policy Option 1 and proceed with the Local Access Interchange project as planned.  

Motion #2 – The Technical Committee recommended that the Coordinating Committee give priority to making improvements on Route 26 ( Jacksonville Road ) between the High Speed and Local Access Interchanges, and from the Local Access Interchange to Route 150 near Howard Borough.  

Attached are:  
(click here for all supporting documents for Item #5)

      New Items  

	Staff PowerPoint presentation (adapted from April 28 Coordinating Committee meeting) [color version for members only]
	Policy Options
	Correspondence from Bellefonte Borough dated May 6, 2009
	Correspondence from the Howard Volunteer Fire Company dated June 3, 2009
	Correspondence from Spring Township dated June 8, 2009
	Correspondence from Howard Borough dated June 10, 2009
	Correspondence from Spring Township resident Vic Stewart dated June 14, 2009
	Correspondence from Marion Township resident Rick Dillon dated June 15, 2009
	Correspondence from Walker Township residents Steve and Beth Reese dated June 18, 2009
	Correspondence from Marion Township resident R. Brian McCauley dated June 18, 2009
	Example of petition being circulated by Marion Township residents.  As of June 18, 2009, six (6) residents were in favor and two hundred twelve (212) residents were opposed to the local access interchange at Shay Lane.

Items Included in Previous Agenda Packets  

	Correspondence from Marion Township dated December 18, 2008
	Additional information about truck traffic provided by Marion Township officials
	Concerns expressed by the Bellefonte Area School District
	Correspondence from Marion Township dated March 19, 2009
	CCMPO staff response to Marion Township ’s March 19, 2009 correspondence
	Summary of information about the background and timeline of the projects
	Correspondence from Marion Township resident Rick Dillon dated April 7, 2009
	Map illustrating the interchange areas [color version for members only]

The Coordinating Committee should receive the Technical Committee’s recommendation, review the options, and consider taking action to provide policy direction about the Local Access Interchange, and to provide a response to Marion Township’s request.  

Presented by:   Tom Zilla, CRPA; Karen Michael, PennDOT District 2-0

Action:   Provide policy direction about the I-80/Route 26 Section A18 Local Access Interchange, and     provide a response to Marion Township ’s request to reconsider the interchange.

ITEM 6  

ROUTE 322 CORRIDOR SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS (HARRIS AND POTTER TOWNSHIPS)  

Status Report from PennDOT District 2-0

The 2007-2010 and 2009-2012 Centre County TIPs include funding for the Route 322 Corridor Safety Improvements project.  The intent of the project is to implement short-term improvements in the corridor until a process for planning long-term improvements can be initiated.

The CCMPO included the project on the TIP and the Centre County Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) in response to the termination of the South Central Centre County Transportation Study (SCCCTS) in spring 2004.  SCCCTS had been focused on a long-term solution to transportation needs in this part of Centre County .

The Preliminary Engineering (PE) phase for the short-term improvements began in early 2008, and a draft feasibility study was completed in November 2008.  The results of the study were presented to the Harris and Potter Township Boards of Supervisors, and to the CCMPO Technical and Coordinating Committees in November.

In January 2009, the Coordinating Committee approved a motion to request that PennDOT immediately advance two high priority projects identified in the feasibility study:

Ø Project F-MOD – Third lane near Shaner complex, and realignment of Taylor Hill Road ; and

Ø Project I – Church Hill Road/Dogtown Road intersection improvements and road closure

The CCMPO also requested that improvements recommended by Potter Township in locations east of Taylor Hill Road be incorporated into the projects.  

PennDOT District 2-0 has finalized the feasibility study, and incorporated the comments provided by the affected municipalities and other officials.  PennDOT will provide a status report about the revisions to the draft feasibility study, and the next steps in the project development process.  

Attached are:  

Revised table summarizing improvements proposed in the feasibility study (11” x 17”)

·              Revised map illustrating the improvements proposed in the feasibility study (11” x 17”)  

The Coordinating Committee should receive the report, and provide comments to PennDOT and the CCMPO staff.  

            Presented by:   Karen Michael, PennDOT District 2-0

           No action required

ITEM 7  

AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT (ARRA) TIGER DISCRETIONARY GRANT PROGRAM  

Guidance about Candidate Projects for TIGER Program  

In February 2009, the PennDOT Central Office reported that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) [federal stimulus legislation] included provisions for a discretionary funding program, with a total allocation of $1.5 billion.  On May 18, 2009, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) published a notice in the Federal Register about the solicitation of applications for funding from the ARRA through the “Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER)” Discretionary Grants Program.  

Some of the basic elements of the TIGER Program include, but are not limited to:  

·         Eligible applicants include state and local governments, U.S. territories, tribal governments, transit agencies, port authorities, other political subdivisions of state or local governments, and multi-state or multi-jurisdictional applicants.

·         Grants are awarded on a competitive basis to projects having a significant impact on the nation, a metropolitan area, or a region.

·         Grants may be no less than $20 million, and no greater than $200 million.

·         The U.S. DOT may waive the $20 million minimum grant size to fund significant projects in smaller cities, regions, or states.

·         No more than 20% ($300 million) may be awarded to projects in a single state.

·         Grants may be used for up to 100% of project costs (no required match), but priority will be given to projects which include non-federal sources of funds.

·         Grant funds must be obligated by September 30, 2011.

·         Priority will be given to projects that can be completed by February 17, 2012.

·         A cost-benefit analysis is required for all projects over $20 million.

·         The project selection criteria are extremely stringent.

·         The deadline for submitting applications is September 15, 2009.  

Attached is:  

  TIGER Program fact sheet  

The TIGER Program is a possible funding source for high-cost transportation projects in Centre County for which funding can be obligated by September 30, 2011, such as:  

·         I-80/Route 26 Local Access Interchange ($43 million)

·         I-99/I-80 High Speed Interchange ($119 million)

The MPO staff reviewed the 2009-2012 Centre County Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the CCMPO’s Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) to determine if there are other high-priority projects that are: 1) already advancing through the design phase; 2) could meet the obligation deadline of September 30, 2011; and 3) do not have sufficient funding for completion of the Construction phase.  

Three other potential projects were identified:  

·         Route 322 Safety Improvements ($10,952,500)

·         CATA Maintenance Facility Improvements ($5,000,000)

·         Whitehall Road/University Drive Extension Widening ($8,500,000)  

Because the total project cost of these three projects is less than $20 million, the U.S. DOT would have to waive the minimum grant size requirement.  

U.S. Representative Glenn Thompson has requested earmarked funding in the next federal transportation authorization legislation for the Route 322 Safety Improvements project, and the CATA Maintenance Facility Improvements project.  

*****  

The determination of a lead entity that would be responsible for submitting an application(s) is an item that would need to be discussed with PennDOT and CATA, which serve as the sponsors of the potential candidate projects identified by staff.  Regardless of which entity assumes the lead role for submitting an application, coordination between the CCMPO and the project sponsors will be necessary in order to prepare the information required in the application.  

*****  

The Coordinating Committee should receive the staff report, discuss potential candidate projects, and consider whether to direct staff to prepare and submit an application for a candidate project(s).  

The Committee should consider the stringent application requirements and project selection criteria, the short time period for submission of applications by September 15, 2009, and the coordination required with the lead agencies for the projects when providing direction to staff.  

(Staff notes that action on this item is not required at this meeting.  The Coordinating Committee may consider scheduling a special meeting in July 2009 to take action on this item).  

            Presented by:   Tom Zilla, CRPA  

Action:            Direct staff to submit an application for a candidate project(s) through the ARRA TIGER Discretionary Grant Program.

 ITEM 8.a.

PENNSYLVANIA COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION INITIATIVE (PCTI)  

Moshannon Valley Park and Ride Lot Study  

As reported in recent CCMPO agendas, PennDOT initiated a new program intended to advance “Smart Transportation” principles in the Commonwealth.  The “Pennsylvania Community Transportation Initiative (PCTI)” is being funded with a total of $60 million in federal and state funds from the Secretary of Transportation’s spike funding allocation in the first two years of the 2009-2012 TIP (FFY 2009 and 2010).  Eligible projects may receive up to $5 million for construction activities, or up to $300,000 for planning activities.  

Over 380 applications were received statewide.   Twelve projects in Centre County were submitted by prospective sponsors.  On May 28, the PennDOT Central Office announced that two projects in Centre County were approved:  

                  a.   Centre County MPO, in conjunction with the North Central RPO 
                        $100,000 
                        Moshannon Valley Park and Ride Lot Study  

                  b.   Ferguson Township
$2,970,000  
Construction of the Old Gatesburg Road Extension between Science Park Road and Blue Course Drive

Preliminary guidance has been received from PennDOT about how the funding will be provided to project sponsors.  Based on the preliminary guidance, staff has identified certain actions that are required to be taken by the CCMPO.  

Because the Moshannon Valley Park and Ride project is a study and is sponsored by the CCMPO, the funding will be provided through the FY 2009-10 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP).  The CCMPO must amend the FY 2009-10 UPWP to reflect the addition of this project.  A work order amendment to the FY 2009-10 Annual Agreement between PennDOT and the Centre Regional Planning Commission will then be executed, and the project will begin.  MPO staff will not provide a presentation, but will answer questions from the Coordinating Committee.  

Attached is:  

Project narrative from PCTI application submitted by the CCMPO staff  

The Coordinating Committee should amend the FY 2009-10 UPWP to include the Moshannon Valley Park and Ride Study PCTI project.  

            Presented by:   Tom Zilla, CRPA; Greg Kausch, CRPA  

Action:             Amend the CCMPO FY 2009-10 Unified Planning Work Program to include $100,000 from the PCTI for completion of the Moshannon Valley Park and Ride Study project.

ITEM 8.b.  

PENNSYLVANIA COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION INITIATIVE (PCTI)  

Old Gatesburg Road Extension  

The second PCTI project in Centre County that was approved by PennDOT is the Construction phase of the Old Gatesburg Road Extension project, sponsored by Ferguson Township .  The project involves the extension of Old Gatesburg Road from its current eastern terminus at Science Park Road approximately 0.6 miles to Blue Course Drive (Western Inner Loop).  A total of $2,970,000 has been approved for the Construction phase.  

Ferguson Township will complete the design and pre-construction phases of the project using 100% local funds.  The design and pre-construction phases, including environmental clearance, must be expedited to ensure that the Construction funds from the PCTI can be obligated by the September 2010 deadline specified in the PCTI program guidelines.  

For the Federal Highway Administration to grant environmental clearance and project funds to be expended for the Construction phase, the project must be included on the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).  Also, because the Old Gatesburg Road Extension will provide new lane capacity to the roadway network, an Air Quality Conformity Analysis is required prior to the project being added to the LRTP and TIP.  

The MPO staff is working with PennDOT to establish a process and schedule for completing the conformity analysis so that the CCMPO can consider action to add the project to the LRTP and TIP in September 2009.  Action on Ferguson Township ’s request is time-critical, because of the need to initiate the design of the project as soon as possible.  

Staff is requesting authorization from the Coordinating Committee to complete the Air Quality Conformity Analysis, and to hold the required 30-day comment period and public meeting prior to the September CCMPO meetings.  MPO and Ferguson Township staff will not provide a presentation, but will answer questions from the Coordinating Committee.  

Attached are:  

Project map  
PCTI application submitted by Ferguson Township  

The Coordinating Committee should consider authorizing staff to complete an Air Quality Conformity Analysis and public input efforts for the Old Gatesburg Road Extension PCTI project, in anticipation of taking action to include the project on the LRTP and 2009-2012 TIP in September 2009.  

            Presented by:   Tom Zilla, CRPA; Mark Kunkle, Ferguson Township Manager  

Action:             Authorize the MPO staff to complete an Air Quality Conformity Analysis and public input efforts for the Old Gatesburg Road Extension PCTI project.

ITEM 9  

ANNOUNCEMENTS  

1.                  Future Meeting Dates  

Additional meetings of the CCMPO Committees may be needed during July or August 2009 to address items such as applications for the ARRA TIGER Program, and the 2011-2014 TIP development process.  

*****  

            a.         Technical Committee:  Wednesday, September 9, 2009, 9:30 am; Location to be determined  

ð  Amendment to Centre County LRTP and TIP (Old Gatesburg Road)

ð  New Centre County LRTP

ð  2009-2012 Centre County Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

ð  2011-2014 Centre County TIP  

            b.         Coordinating Committee: Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 6:00 pm; Location to be determined  

ð  Amendment to Centre County LRTP and TIP (Old Gatesburg Road)

ð  New Centre County LRTP

ð  2009-2012 Centre County Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

ð  2011-2014 Centre County TIP

ð  Member reports

2.     The State Transportation Commission (STC) will hold a series of public hearings in August and September to begin the update of Pennsylvania ’s Twelve Year Program.  Development of the new 2011 Twelve Year Program will occur concurrent with the development of the CCMPO’s new 2011-2014 Centre County TIP.  On June 10, 2009, the STC provided guidance about the schedule for the public hearings.  The hearing for Centre County and several surrounding counties is scheduled for Thursday, August 20, 2009 at the Hilton Garden Inn in State College .  The guidelines for providing input and testimony will be sent to all municipalities in the next several days.  The specific schedule for the hearing will be announced at a later date.