City Notes
I-270/US 33 Interchange Update
The Ohio Department of Transportation announced last week that a number of high profile construction projects will be pushed back several years due to a looming budget crisis. ODOT staff alerted the Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) –a bi-partisan group responsible for approving funding for the State's largest transportation projects – that shrinking state and federal motor fuels tax revenues means fewer dollars to pay for Ohio's infrastructure.
This actually comes as no surprise. ODOT has been beating the drum for some time that it is out of money, and that competition for funding will only get stiffer.
The TRAC received 72 applications in 2011 for new transportation projects totaling nearly $10 billion. Planning, design and construction of various phases of additional projects totaling $2 billion is already underway – including on the I-270/US 33 interchange. However, ODOT only has roughly $100 million per year to spend on new construction.
Dublin and its Union and Franklin County partners have been working closely with ODOT for several years to replace the I-270/US 33 interchange. Because the preliminary engineering phase is currently underway, Dublin did not ask TRAC for funds this year, but did request that we remain a high priority on the "tier 2" (unfunded, for now) list.
Despite the negative headlines, the I-270/US 33 project retained its high ranking on TRAC's tier 2 list (http://www.dot.state.oh.us/trac/TRAC List/Recommended-DRAFT-TRAC-List-1-17-11.pdf).
While funding is limited and competition stiff, we remain confident the I-270/US33 interchange will continue to be a funding priority. Why? This nearly 40-year old "failing" interchange is ranked in the top 100 locations in the state for crashes due to congestion and outdated freeway design. The interchange facilitates $1.2 billion in current economic activity and is projected to help spur 32,000 new jobs and an additional $2.3 billion in investments when it is completely rebuilt in about 20 years. Finally, Dublin's impressive local funding contribution and regional support demonstrates to ODOT and federal officials how committed our community is to replacing this outdated, vital interchange.
2012-2016 Five Year Capital Improvements Program
Each year the city identifies projects for investment in its capital infrastructure. This document, known as the Five-Year Capital Improvements Program (CIP), ensures that the city's long- and short-term capital investments are made in the context of careful consideration of the city's needs as well as the resources available to fund all projects.
Dublin City Council approved the 2012-2016 Five Year Capital Improvements Program at its Sept. 12 meeting. The CIP is a five-year outlook for anticipated capital projects and is reviewed and updated annually to maintain the city's priorities. These projects are primarily related to improvements in transportation, parks, utilities and facilities, and represent $81.4 million in potential investment over the next five years, including $35.1 million set aside for 2012.
Projects expected to get underway next year include the design of the extension of Tuttle Crossing Boulevard from Wilcox Road to Avery Road; the widening of Emerald Parkway from Rings Road to Tuttle Crossing Boulevard in a partnership with the City of Columbus; the installation of a roundabout at the intersection of Cosgray Road and Shier Rings Road; and LED streetlight replacements. The CIP also allocates funding for the final phase of Emerald Parkway and Dublin's share of the I-270/US 33 phase 1 upgrades, and anticipates construction expenditures for the development and redevelopment of the Bridge Street Corridor.
In developing the 2012-2016 CIP, the following elements were taken into consideration: City Council goals, commitments made by the City of Dublin, economic development opportunities, the Dublin Community Plan, grant funding opportunities, the community survey of our residents and plans for the Bridge Street Corridor.
The most significant funding source for the CIP is the city's income tax revenue. Projects associated with water and sewer systems are funded in whole or in part by revenues from those systems, such as user charges or tap permit fees. In addition to these funding sources, Dublin seeks federal, state and local grants, low-interest loans and cost-sharing opportunities to fund projects. Assessments may also be considered for projects, which have a well-defined group of beneficiaries or legally lend themselves to this type of financing. The city also considers user fees and economic development incentives, such as tax increment financing or TIFs.
It is our goal to continue to maintain Dublin's assets, while addressing current and future needs and to complete as many needed capital improvement projects as financially possible while providing flexibility to adapt to changes as they occur. For an overview of funded projects, I encourage you to view the CIP.
City Manager
The City Manager, Marsha Grigsby is the chief administrative and law enforcement officer of the City of Dublin, responsible to City Council for the day-to-day operations for the City. Other responsibilities include advising Council regarding the financial status and future needs of the City, reporting to Council on the general operating of City departments, divisions, offices, boards, commissions, bureaus and agencies, as well as exercising leadership in the development of City projects.
Revised Charter of Dublin, Ohio