Title
Resolution authorizing and directing the City Engineer to enter into a State/Municipal Agreement for a Transportation Enhancement Project with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the Engineering, Right-of-Way Acquisition and Construction Cost for the Cross Town Connector Bike and Pedestrian Trail.
Body
WHEREAS, bicycling and pedestrian modes of travel play an important role in moving people in Wisconsin's metropolitan areas and represent a key alternative means of transportation; and,
WHEREAS, the Milwaukee Metropolitan area moves into the 21 Century, it is likely that even more people will be utilizing alternative means of transportation such as bicycling and pedestrian travel for commuting, utilitarian, social, recreational or exercise purposes; and,
WHEREAS, the Development Department applied for and the Wisconsin Department Of Transportation has notified the City that this project has been selected for inclusion in the Statewide Multi-Modal Improvement Program and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program; and,
WHEREAS, the project includes the reconstruction, right-of-way acquisition and development of 12,400 feet (2.3 miles) of WE Energies right-of-way as well as various on and off-street improvements to create an east-west bicycle and pedestrian trail that will extend 5 miles across the entire City and connect/intersect other existing state and county bikeways and trails. This project is most simply described as the implementation of Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission's (SEWRPC) Regional Bicycle Plan: 2010. The Cross Town Connector Trail will pass by several schools, some of the City's largest employers, several City buildings and gathering places, and five of the City's eight Tax Incremental Districts. The trail will allow for a safer regional connection by linking the Glacial Drumlin State Trail, the Waukesha County New Berlin Recreational Trail, and Milwaukee County's Oak Leaf and Hank Aaron State Trails. This project will effectively link Waukesha County, and points west, to Milwaukee County and the Lakefront. This project will provide an attractive and safe alternative connection between Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties by serving as an excellent corridor for recreational use and those commuting to work, school, baseball games, and other events.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of West Allis that the City Engineer be and is hereby authorized and directed to enter into an agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the Project (State ID 2995-07-00,50,70 and State ID 1693-43-20/70), a copy of the State/Municipal Agreement is attached hereto and by reference made a part hereof.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the total estimated project cost is $1,737,125 of which up to $1,389,700 was approved for funding by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (80% federal/state share with the remaining 20% local share to be funded by Tax Incremental Financing and/or Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.)
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Engineer will forward a certified copy of this Resolution, together with the executed Project Agreement, to the office of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.