Type of Tiger Grant Application: Highway
TYPE OF TIGER GRANT APPLICATION: HIGHWAY
PROJECT LOCATION: LINDEN, ALABAMA, MARENGO COUNTY; 7TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT; SOME OF THE PROJECT IS LOCATED WITHIN A SMALL URNAN AREA BUT MOST OF THE PROJECT IS LOCATED IN RURAL AREAS.
PROJECT NAME: LINDEN BYPASS (STATE ROUTE (SR) 13 RELOCATION) FROM U.S. 43 SOUTH OF LINDEN TO SR-28 EAST OF LINDEN INCLUDING EXTENSION OF SR-69 SOUTH OF LINDEN.
GRANT FUNDS REQUEST: APPLICATION FOR $33.5 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 scope of work for the project is to construct a new four-lane roadway facility from 1.14 miles south of the State Route (SR) 69/U.S. 43 Intersection on U.S. 43 to SR-28 east of Linden, in Marengo County, Alabama. (See figure 1 for project location or access at http://www.dot.state.al.us/stimulus2009/TigerGrants.htm.)
This multi-purpose facility with typical 54 feet depressed grass median and turn lanes where applicable, will functionally serve as part of the eastern bypass of the City of Linden. As part of this project, SR-69 south of Linden will be extended to U.S. 43 to connect with the new proposed Linden Bypass and Shiloh Street would be realigned to tie in to the proposed bypass. The overall length of the proposed project is approximately 3.92 miles. All design (except for Base & Pave) and right of way acquisition for construction of the project has been acquired. The project avoids adverse environmental impacts as evidenced by the approved Programmatic Categorical Exclusion (PCE).
The project improves the long-term efficiency, reliability and cost-competitiveness by providing a safe and modern facility. The construction of the project will generally improve access to public, community, and recreational facilities, by providing a safer and more efficient transportation route to these facilities. The improvement along this corridor enhances the attractiveness for new investments in conveniences for the motoring public. In addition, facility to centers of commerce from this area lends itself to the potential development of agricultural resources found in this part of Alabama as well as the expansion of potential tourism within the state. Currently, rural features dominate this corridor and upgrading this project will afford easier access for residents traveling along U.S. 43, the principal route southward to Mobile or northward to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The project will enhance the traveling experience for motorists by providing a safer travel along this corridor. U.S. 43 is the principal mode of travel from this region to the metropolitan areas of Mobile and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Additionally, 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).
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. It is expected that the rate of accidents will decrease with completion of this project. Additionally, U.S. 43 is part of the hurricane evacuation route system deployed at Mobile and extending northward.
The entire section of this project and most of the existing U.S. 43, SR-69 and SR-28 in west Alabama is in an agricultural area known as the Black Belt, and is a severely economically depressed area. This project would provide a direct link from Mobile and
I-65/I-10 to West Alabama. The project would be a vital link to completion of a proposed West Alabama Freeway that is planned for economic development of the severely economically depressed west Alabama area. The current route is a major connector between the new Thyssen Krupp Steel Plant on U.S. 43 north of Mobile and south of Linden and also serves the State Docks in Mobile. U.S. 43 is the principal corridor for travel between Mobile, New Orleans, the Florida panhandle via I-10 and Tuscaloosa north of Linden. The project improves the long-term efficiency, reliability, and cost-competitiveness by providing a consistent north/south four-lane facility in west Alabama.
The aim of the project is to provide a new roadway around Linden, Alabama resulting in a safe, efficient, and environmentally sound intermodal transportation system for the motoring public and commercial vehicles. Currently this section of U.S. 43 through Linden is congested due to narrow roadway sections and decreased capacity at signalized intersections. Several large paper mills are in this area of the state that result in a high volume of through log trucks on U.S.43, SR-28 and SR-69 coupled with truck traffic from the State Docks in Mobile. This new roadway 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 will enhance the traveling experience for motorists by providing a consistent four-lane facility in central and west Alabama.
Project ID and Scheduled Phasing:
(See http://www.dot.state.al.us/stimulus2009/TigerGrants.htm for detail data.)
100008386 CN 2009
100003986 CN 2009
Future work (Not part of this funding request):
100050642 PE 2010
100050543 CN 2013
100003985 CN 2013
100003999 RW 2013
100048719 UT 2016
100003989 CN 2016
100003994 PE 2017
100003988 CN 2017
The above are planned projects that have 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 a 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 – SR-69 - 1870 VPD; U.S. 43 – 9000 VPD
Commercial Vehicles – SR-69 – 240 VPD; US 43 – 900 VPD
Projected 2029 Traffic Volume – Relocated SR 69 – 3130 VPD; Bypass at SR-28 – 6600 VPD
Level of service – SR-69 – “C”; U.S. 43 – “D-”
Accidents/Injuries/Fatalities:
From January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2008
· 6 Injury Accidents
· 14 Vehicles Damaged and Disabled
· 19 Damaged, but not Disabled
· 1 Tractor/Trailer Involved Accident
· 66.64% Daylight Accidents
· 15% Night Unlighted Accidents
PROJECT PARTIES:
ALDOT 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 Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission has provided a letter of support for ALDOT efforts to secure TIGER Grant funding for this project.
The Alabama Legislature has passed resolution in support of this project along with the West Alabama Development Group made up of local business leaders, city/county officials, and minority organizations. The Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission has provided a letter of support for ALDOT efforts in securing TIGER funding for the U.S. 80 project. The project is also supported by local agencies including the City, County governments and business organizations in this area. 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 $33.5 million. TIGER Grant funds for $33.5 million would account for 100 percent of the project cost. ALDOT would be responsible for completing the design, ROW Acquisition, construction and construction management of the project. (See http://www.dot.state.al.us/stimulus2009/TigerGrants.htm for detail 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.
(See http://www.dot.state.al.us/stimulus2009/TigerGrants.htm for detail data.)
1. ALDOT is committed to ensuring projects are consistent with relevant State, local and regional efforts to maintain transportation facilities of good repair.
2. The aim of the project is to construct a new four-lane roadway facility from 1.14 miles south of SR-69 to 2,500 feet of Chickasaw State Park in Marengo County, Alabama. This facility will tie into the existing U.S. 43 north of Chickasaw State Park and the City of Linden. This multi-purpose facility with typical 54 feet depressed grass median and turn lanes where applicable, will functionally serve as part of the eastern bypass of the City of Linden. As part of this project, SR-69 will be extended to U.S. 43 to the new proposed Linden Bypass and Shiloh Street will be realigned to tie in to the proposed bypass. The overall length of the proposed project is approximately 8.19 miles. All right of way for construction of the project has been acquired.
3. The project was brought online consistent with fiduciary requirements under 23 USC 103, 118 & 133.
4. Funding allocated to 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 1.50:1. 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, and 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 safe and modern facility. The construction of the project will generally improve access to public and community facilities throughout the project corridor by providing a safer and more efficient transportation route to these facilities.
2. The improvement along this corridor enhances the attractiveness for new investments in conveniences for the motoring public. In addition, facility to centers of commerce from this area lends itself to the potential development of agricultural resources found in this part of Alabama as well as the expansion of potential tourism within the state. This corridor is currently dominated by rural features. Upgrading this project will afford easier access for residents traveling along U.S.43, the principal route southward to Mobile or northward to Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
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 safer travel along this corridor. U.S. 43 is the principal mode of travel from this region to the metropolitan areas of Mobile and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Additionally, this corridor is part of the STRAHNET network, a critical element to the Department of Defense's (DOD's) domestic operations.
2. Environmental congestion is relieved through the addition of lanes to meet the level of service demands. Safety to the motoring public is increased through the rehabilitation of existing roadway.
3. The project improves accessibility and transportation services to an area of economically disadvantaged persons and seniors. During the planning process of this project, public participation was encouraged and ALDOT held public meetings consistent with Federal and State regulations.
Sustainability:
Improving energy efficiency, reducing dependence on oil, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and benefitting 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 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 due to the increase in the level of service and the rehabilitation of existing roadway.
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. U.S. 43 is part of the hurricane evacuation route system deployed at Mobile and extending northward.
Job Creation and Economic Stimulus
Promote the creation of job opportunities:
Whether 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. According to the current U.S. Census data, approximately 26.7 percent of the population of Marengo County is living at or below the poverty level. 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 1,539 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: Include veteran-owned small businesses and service disabled veteran-owned small businesses.
1. According to the latest available U.S. Census detail, the number of veterans living in Marengo County exceeds 1,500. Of these veterans, approximately 5.6 percent are between the ages of 18 to 34, 36.1 percent are between the ages 35-54, and 23.6 percent are between the ages 55-64.