CITY OF MOSCOW IDAHO GRANT APPLICATION

CITY OF MOSCOW IDAHO GRANT APPLICATION

FY2017 TIGER

East Moscow Multimodal Infrastructure Partnership (EMMIP)

EAST MOSCOW MULTIMODAL INFRASTRUCTURE PARTNERSHIP (EMMIP)

LEGISLATORS Senator Mike Crapo Senator James Risch Congressman Raul Labrador Representative Caroline Nilsson Troy

COMMUNITY PARTNERS Chamber of Commerce Disability Action Center NW Palouse Clearwater Environmental Institute (PCEI) Larry Clott, ADA Advocate Safe Routes to School SMART Transit AVISTA Utilities

PROJECT PARTNERS Moscow School District (MSC) Latah County North Latah County Highway District (NLCHD)

PUBLIC SAFETY & HEALTH Moscow Volunteer Fire Department Moscow Police Department Public Health – Idaho North Central District Officer Newbill Kids Safety Fair Gritman Medical Center

STATE AGENCIES University of Idaho (UI) Idaho Department of Commerce (IDOC) Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC Idaho Transportation Department (ITD)

LOCAL AGENCIES Clearwater Economic Development Association (CEDA) Partnership for Economic Prosperity (PEP) Moscow Urban Renewal Agency (MURA) Moscow Pathways Commission Moscow Transportation Commission Moscow Sustainable Environment Commission Letters of support from the above listed organizations are located in Attachment 15.

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Bill Lambert, Mayor

Kathryn Bonzo

Art Bettge

Jim Boland

Walter Steed

Gina Taruscio

John Weber

CITY STAFF Gary J. Riedner

City Supervisor

Jen Pfiffner

Assistant City Supervisor

Alisa Anderson

Grants Manager

Bill Belknap

Community Development Director

Les MacDonald

Public Works Director

Carey Edwards

Senior Engineering Technician

Nate Suhr

Senior Engineering Technician


Table of Contents

Project Description 1

Project Location 5

Project Parties 11

Grant Funds and Sources/ Uses of Project Funds 14

Merit Criteria 16

Primary Selection 16

Safety 16

State of Good Repair 16

Economic Competitiveness 18

Environmental Sustainability 19

Quality of Life 19

Secondary Selection Criteria 21

Innovation 21

Partnership 22

Project Readiness 23

Technical Feasibility 23

Project Schedule 24

Required Approvals 23

Project Risk and Mitigation Strategies 27

Results of Benefit-Cost Analysis 27

Cost Share 28

Federal Wage Certification 29


List of Attachments

Attachment 1 Project Information

Attachment 2 Narrative

Attachment 3 Narrative References

Attachment 4 Maps of Project Area

Attachment 5 Photos of Project Area

Attachment 6 Project Area Demographics

Attachment 7 Public Transportation Route Map & Ridership

Attachment 8 ITD Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan

Attachment 9 Detailed Costs Estimate

Attachment 10 Project Schedule

Attachment 11 Farmers Market & Farm Route Data

Attachment 12 ITD Project Area Crash Data

Attachment 13 BCA Report

Attachment 14 BCA Spreadsheet & Technical Data

Attachment 15 Letters of Participation and Support


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I. Project Description The lack of system connectivity and capacity in the transportation network on the east side of the City of Moscow, Idaho (City) has been a challenge recognized by community leaders for many years. In response to this deficiency, the East Moscow Multimodal Infrastructure Partnership (EMMIP) was formed. The EMMIP has resulted in a series of multimodal transportation related projects focused on improving facilities, infrastructure, functionality, and most importantly, the overall safety of the transportation network in the eastern half of the City.

The EMMIP planning area encompasses all of Mountain View Road, a north/south minor arterial, from State Highway 8 north to the city limits and the area of city impact in the eastern region of Moscow, Latah County, Idaho. Planned transportation improvements in this section of Moscow are focused on improving safety with an emphasis on intersections and creating multimodal access to accommodate all users. The Mountain View Corridor (Corridor) includes projects to install and/or improve vehicular transportation, multimodal bridge systems, transit systems, bicycle networks, pedestrian facilities, and access to recreational facilities. The intent of these projects is to focus on safety for all modes of transportation and to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the overall network including the Corridor and its connections to the remainder of the City and state highway systems.

One element of these projects has been preparation for, and the implementation of multimodal transportation improvements surrounding Moscow schools to serve all Moscow School District (District) students who use the year-round indoor and outdoor recreational facilities located in the Corridor. Mountain View Road from ‘F’ Street to Sixth Street also serves as a public transportation hub for fixed-route transit services. Therefore, improvements to that hub are also focused on enhanced transit operations and bicycle/pedestrian movement to serve the entire transit system. The completed and proposed roadway improvements are projects that provide increased multimodal capacity and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility to accommodate current usage and encourage infill and outward growth. The total overall length of the Corridor is approximately 1.54 miles and many sections are currently not ADA accessible and do not have sidewalk or pathway system for safe pedestrian travel. Mountain View Road is a main connector route for east-west and north-south travel to residential neighborhoods which include apartments with low-income housing, retirement/senior and assisting living communities, a long-term care facility, affordable housing including townhomes and condominium developments, schools (public/private), daycares, indoor/outdoor recreation centers, churches, shopping, restaurants, and medical services. A majority of the land throughout the Corridor has been developed and connects to several other local destinations used daily by many Moscow and Latah County rural residents. The Corridor is also designated as a seasonal farm-haul route used to transport fresh foods, especially fruits and vegetables, during market season, from April through October, to the Moscow Farmers Market. The Moscow School District is one of five pilot schools for the Farm to School Program in Idaho. This program, funded by the USDA, promotes the use of local and regional foods in school meals. See Attachment 11 Farmers.


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As one of the most heavily traveled routes in Moscow, it is of utmost importance to improve safety and multimodal access through infrastructure improvements on Mountain View Road because of the diversity of uses along the Corridor. Upgrading road features to meet urban standards would provide a safe route to accommodate continuously increasing demand for all modes of transportation. Specific EMMIP projects within the Corridor that have recently been completed or will be completed by October 2018 include the following:

EMMIP PROJECTS 2015-2018

Pro

ject

s C

omp

lete

d 2

015-

2016

Project Costs

City Funds

Other Funds

Other Source

'D' Street Community Choices - Moscow Middle School

540,000 42,000 498,000 Federal

TAP

Parking Lot Repaving - Between 'D' & 'E' Streets - Moscow Middle School

149,000 - 149,000 District

'D' Street Water Line, Grind & Inlay 132,000 132,000 - N/A

'D' Street @ Eggan Youth Center - ADA Access - Facility Improvements

44,500 44,500 - N/A

Multimodal Path System Extension - Moscow Community Play Fields

16,500 16,500 - N/A

Community Play Fields - Ball Park 3,590,096 1,918,220 1,671,876 District

Subtotal - Projects Completed 2015-2016

$4,472,096 $2,153,220 $2,318,876

Pro

ject

s to

be

Com

ple

ted

201

7-20

18

Public Transportation Bus Shelter @ 'D' Street & Mountain View Road

25,000 5,000 20,000 Federal 5311

& 5339

Mountain View Corridor - Bicycle Network Improvements*

12,100 1,200 10,900 Federal 5339

Multimodal Bridge - Third Street & Mountain View Road*

600,000 600,000 - N/A

State Hwy 8 - Paradise Path Underpass - & Multimodal Path Extension*

539,380 39,590 499,790 Federal TAP

Subtotal - Projects Completed 2017-2018

$1,176,480 $645,790 $530,690

TOTAL PROJECT COSTS 2015-2018 $5,648,576 $2,799,010 $2,849,566


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This FY2017 TIGER funding request includes surface transportation improvements along the Corridor and a segment on adjacent Sixth Street for the replacement of a non-ADA compliant bridge. The proposed project will widen Mountain View Road from a two-lane rural-road section to an urban standard minor arterial road. The infrastructure improvements will include the widening of the asphalt road sections and installation of curbs and gutters, sidewalks, bridge, roundabout, storm drainage, and underground utilities. The project will include acquisition of additional right of way of varying widths throughout the length of the corridor as a pre-obligation activity. A Mountain View Road Vicinity Map with project areas broken into groups is shown below and as included in Attachment 4. Photos of entire project area are shown in Attachment 5.

The proposed TIGER project includes widened road sections to accommodate two dedicated bicycle lanes, two vehicular travel lanes, and left turn lanes at major intersections where appropriate. Also included is the installation of a roundabout at the intersection of Joseph Street and Mountain View Road, a bridge replacement on Sixth Street near Mountain View Road, and at the intersection of State Highway 8 and Mountain View Road a traffic signal if warrants are met in the planned construction year of 2023-2024 (see above Vicinity Map Groups 1, 2, 4, and 5).


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As listed in the EMMIP Projects 2015-2018 chart on Page 2, improvements funded by a current Federal-aid grant award through the Idaho Department of Transportation (ITD) and managed by the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC) include the same types of improvements from Sixth Street to Joseph Street with a roundabout at Sixth Street and Mountain View Road (Group 3). Other current FTA Federal grant awards from ITD are to complete infrastructure improvements in the Corridor include a new public transit bus shelter at ‘D’ Street and Mountain View Road in addition to bicycle corridor improvements (Groups 1-4).

As previously discussed, the project also includes the replacement of a bridge that crosses Paradise Creek at and Sixth Street (Group 5). The new replacement bridge will be ADA-compliant and accommodate two travel lanes, two bicycle lanes, and two sidewalks in a complete streets application. The existing non-ADA compliant bridge system comprised of culverts, paved road and metal railing is shown in the pictures below:

Throughout the Corridor a shared-use path system called “Paradise Path,” also known as a linear park system, parallels Mountain View Road (see map in Attachment 4). The proposed project will complete a section of the path system where it borders the roadway (Group 4). Paradise Path is a growing system of designated connections in and around Moscow for pedestrians, wheelchairs, bicycles, tricycles, rollerblades, skates, skateboards, tandem cycles and other non-motorized modes to safely and conveniently move in and around Moscow. Because Paradise Path connects developed and undeveloped areas of Moscow as well as completely built-up areas, it is considered an evolving, organic part of the City’s Parks and Recreation system. Paradise Path continues to develop along its identified corridors and is open to new connectors to enhance its safety, access, and convenience. To the east, Paradise Path leads to the Latah Trail with connections throughout rural areas of Latah County and to the west the system connects with the Bill Chipman Trail leading to Pullman, Washington and other rural areas in Whitman County, Washington.

The City has long recognized its responsibility to address transportation needs throughout the community. This recognition has resulted in numerous programs, projects, and planning efforts to identify and implement transportation network improvements. The City’s Comprehensive Land Use Plans have included sections on mobility and transportation since the 1970’s. The Transportation Commission was formed in the late 1990’s to provide recommendations to the City Council regarding long-range transportation issues. The Paradise Path Task Force (now Moscow


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Pathways Commission), Bike Commission, Active Living Task Force, Mobility Task Force, and other efforts have all contributed to a broader understanding of the City’s desire for a complete multimodal transportation network to serve all users. A significant advancement in the overall transportation system planning efforts was completed in July 2014 with the adoption of the City’s first Multimodal Transportation Plan (Plan) titled “Moscow on the Move” (Nelson Nygaard, DKS Associates, Alta Planning, 2014).

Guiding principles and goals of the Plan are reflected in the following excerpts:

“Cultivating a balanced, sustainable, and efficient multimodal transportation system is a high-priority goal of the City. This Plan acts as an implementation tool for the policies established in the City Comprehensive Plan (Kendig Keast, 2009). The Comprehensive Plan, along with several prior planning efforts such as the Downtown Revitalization Plan, seek to improve mobility options and opportunities to access Moscow’s wealth of cultural, retail, civic, and university destinations (Dufresne-Henry, Inc., Hatchmueller, P.C., 2002).”

“The Moscow on the Move Plan will guide transportation investments within Moscow over the next 20 years. It establishes policies and strategies that promote a range of attractive and viable transportation options” (Nelson Nygaard, DKS Associates, Alta Planning, 2014). “This document identifies projects and programs that help address Moscow’s community needs as well as current and future mobility challenges facing the City. Projects and programs underlined in the Plan are prioritized and detailed to move them from plan to implementation. The Plan also provides policy guidance to help meet not only the goals of Moscow on the Move, but also broader community goals adopted in the Comprehensive Plan.” Chapter 2 of the Plan, “Getting around Moscow Today,” summarizing the current state of Moscow’s transportation system, including roadway network and performance, parking supply, the bicycle and pedestrian network, and transit services and needs (pp. 2-1). Key issues, challenges, and barriers for each mode are highlighted and address barriers and strategies for improvement throughout the Plan.

As with many rural communities, the most significant barrier is a lack of resources including local and state funding options. In addition, as home to the University of Idaho, Moscow experiences a much lower property tax base given the size of the campus and its exclusion from property tax

The City has previously developed a concept to transform Mountain View

Road into a complete street corridor that will be designed and operated to enable access for all users. When the project is

finished, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists of all ages and abilities will be

able to maneuver throughout the corridor. The project will widen the

existing 24-foot-paved, 2-lane rural road section to a 36-foot-wide, 2-lane, urban street with bicycle lanes, storm drainage

improvements, illumination upgrades, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, green strips, and roundabouts at the intersections of Mountain View Road at Sixth Street and

at Joseph Street. The City’s vision of installing roundabouts and a new bridge

and replacement of a deteriorating bridge has the potential to improve

traffic flow and reduce the likelihood and severity of crashes.


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commitments. Some of the decreased revenue is offset by sales tax revenue; however, at a much lower rate than the neighboring city of Pullman just eight miles west. Pullman, Washington is also home to Washington State University which has approximately twice the student enrollment of the University of Idaho.

The EMMIP Project Supports and Provides Ladders of Opportunity to Rural City and Latah County Residents as Addressed in the Moscow on the Move Plan:

Enhance Access to Work: Improve access for Americans with transportation disadvantages through reliable and timely access to employment centers, educational and training opportunities, services and other basic needs of workers (Nelson Nygaard, DKS Associates, Alta Planning, 2014).

The existing layout of the Corridor is not conducive to further development of fixed-route public transportation service in the area. The lack of sidewalks and bus stop landing pads make it difficult for existing riders and prevent potential riders from using the service. EMMIP Corridor enhancements will considerably improve the potential for fixed-route service expansion as bus amenities including curbs, sidewalks, and bus stop boarding areas, all contribute to enhanced service, increased ridership, and safety. The project will increase efficiency and safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, as well as transit riders. Improvements to the sidewalk, bike lanes, curbs and gutters will improve safety for all Moscow residents that rely on Mountain View Road.

In 2016, SMART Transit provided a total of 11,870 Dial-A-Ride trips and 5%, nearly 600 individual trips, were to or from Creekside Senior Housing on Creekside Lane off of White Avenue which intersects Mountain View Road (Group 1-2). Fifteen individuals were served from this location during 2016—many of them riding two or more times per week. The majority of these daily trips are for work, travel to the “Friendly Neighbors” senior meal site, and to various medical office destinations. Another location with high transit usage and inadequate pedestrian facilities is Eastside Market Place, a center that includes the only grocery and pharmacy serving east Moscow, vision therapy medical office, as well as the only local pediatric-only medical office, where access is limited due to the adjacent sections of Mountain View Road lacking complete sidewalks and safe crossings. See Attachment 7 for Transit Route Maps and Ridership Data.

Indirect Connections and Sidewalk Coverage. One of the most significant challenges for pedestrian travel is navigating the large number of gaps in the sidewalk network. These gaps particularly affect people with mobility or visual impairments and those walking to

access SMART Transit. Gaps in the bicycle network are significant barriers for bicyclists as well. Although circuitous routes are sometimes necessary for bicyclists due to topography,

dropped bike lanes at intersections or unnecessary detours necessitated by gaps in the

bicycle network impede trip-making.


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The improvements proposed through the EMMIP will provide mobility and ADA access to ensure people can travel to destinations using a diverse range of travel options, routes, and seamless multimodal connections. Objectives relate to providing a variety of travel options for all types of users including the provision of a connected sidewalk and pathway system; increasing transit ridership through improved transit service; establishing high-quality and affordable intercity transportation options to nearby regional centers; improving access to the Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport; and ensuring efficient goods movement and delivery access.

The City of Moscow and SMART Transit are committed to collaboration and working in partnership to improve the community.

Provide More Transportation Choices: Develop safe, reliable, and economical transportation choices to decrease household transportation costs, reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote public health (Nelson Nygaard, DKS Associates, Alta Planning, 2014, pp. 2-19).

Areas east of Mountain View Road have limited access to transit. The lack of public transportation services, sidewalk connectivity, and bikeways may lead to higher rates of driving in these areas.

Safe Streets. This project promotes safer travel behavior and awareness of different roadway users through design, traffic operations, expansion of route choices, and education. Objectives cover the design, operation, and maintenance of streets and pathways to promote safe, comfortable use for all roadway users; applying a complete streets model; targeting lighting improvements in key corridors; and expanding awareness and traffic enforcement efforts (Nelson Nygaard, DKS Associates, Alta Planning, 2014, pp. 5-14).

Support Existing Communities: Target Federal funding toward existing communities to increase community revitalization, improve the efficiency of public works investments, and safeguard rural communities.

“Let me tell you the extent in which it would increase my quality of life and independence. I am a quadriplegic from a broken neck. For that reason I use a motorized chair as I attempt to travel around town as much as possible. This project would allow me better access to the public pool, the sports venues, the middle school where I often guest lecture, and the soccer, softball, baseball fields. The fields are places I frequently visit, having coached youth for 25 years. More importantly though is the locations it would open and make available which are important for daily living. The transit routes would allow me access to a smaller mall which

includes a grocery store and pharmacy.”

–Moscow Citizen Larry Clott, (EMMIP Letters of Support, 2017)


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Eastside Marketplace and Latah County Fairgrounds. Create great community places throughout Moscow that residents and visitors want to visit and pass through. Objectives include ensuring streets that lead to walkable, interesting, and safe indoor and outdoor public spaces such as parks; developing commercial districts such as places that encourage people to stay, eat, shop, and play; and ensuring current street connections and future related development makes car-free living an attractive and realistic option for rural residents.

Support Economic Opportunities: Improve economic opportunities by linking capital investments with local workforce development.

Economic Resilience. This project will create and enhance “Ladders of Opportunity” throughout the City by developing a transportation system that interacts with active downtown and neighborhood environments that support and create sustained economic activity. Objectives include designing walkable commercial streetscapes that promote retail activity and local business growth; reducing transportation costs and insulating residents from global economic fluctuation in oil prices by providing affordable travel options; striking a balance between safe and efficient delivery access; fostering a walkable downtown; and developing a well-connected trail system that improves access to retail and jobs, while attracting visitors to Moscow.

Support Partnerships: The formation of strong federal and local partnerships to address mobility challenges present in Moscow. This includes bringing rural and local workforce development, training, education, veterans, transportation and planning stakeholders together to formulate a plan to address building Ladders of Opportunity in an area.

As Moscow continues to grow, most of the new population centers have been and are projected to be on the east side of the City. This makes it all the more critical that the City plan for and stay ahead of this growth, including developing the infrastructure necessary to accommodate increasing demand from all modes of transportation. “According to the 2014 Moscow Biennial Citizens Survey, 95% of Moscow residents rate the quality of life in Moscow as “good” or “excellent.” Still, transportation issues are among the community’s key concerns. Residents have expressed interest in a wide range of mobility issues, from the level and quality of transit service and lack of bikeway connections to deficient street connections and sidewalk conditions. Ultimately, the City’s streets are one of Moscow’s most heavily utilized and most critical community assets. The Moscow on the Move Plan seeks to balance the competing needs of the City’s diverse travel markets and improve local quality of life through transportation investments. Therefore, the City is requesting $17,387,066 in FY2017 TIGER funding to compliment the existing $6,788,376 in other federal and state funding and $3,201,923 local matching funds from the City to construct the detailed projects within the EMMIP as described in herein.

II. Project Location

Moscow is a small but growing rural city located along the Idaho-Washington border nestled in northcentral Idaho between Moscow Mountain and the hills of the Palouse region of the Columbia


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River Plateau. The Palouse region is the home base for farmers who grow lentils, barley and canola oil. Known for its strong agricultural heritage, Moscow has grown a diverse economy that includes education and healthcare. The Moscow Mountain range lies to the northeast with Paradise Ridge and Tomer Butte to the southeast. The City is surrounded by these mountains and ridges creating beautiful scenic views. The City at 6.2 square miles is relatively compact in land area encompassing hilly terrain, especially in the neighborhoods east of downtown (see detailed vicinity map above on Page 2).

Moscow, with a population of 26,222 residents (2015 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimate) is the largest City and County seat in Latah County, Idaho. The City is also home to the University of Idaho (University), its largest employer, and is located near several regional centers including Pullman, Washington (eight miles to the west), Lewiston, Idaho (32 miles to the south), and Spokane, Washington (80 miles to the north).

The median age of Moscow residents is twenty-five (25) years old compared to a national average of thirty seven (37). Moscow is a highly educated community comparatively as fifty two percent (52%) of the population has a bachelor’s degree or above in comparison to the national average of twenty nine (29%). (Additional demographic information specific to the project area is located in Attachment 6). Moscow has eight (8) public schools consisting of six (6) elementary, one (1) middle school, and one (1) high school in addition to two (2) charter schools and three (3) parochial schools for various grades.

As home to a university and an active and engaged citizenry, Moscow enjoys hosting a variety of community, cultural, and art events including Idaho’s oldest and largest thriving Farmers Market open April through October each year. Other annual events include Artwalk, Rendezvous in the Park, and many other cultural activities contribute to the vibrant community. Moscow is also a hub for theater and music including the annual five-day Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.

Moscow and the University are leveraging the community’s intellectual and creative assets to house new and growing industries, attract a diverse residential population, and grow and diversify its economy. As such both are an integral part of the Palouse Knowledge Corridor (PKC), an economic development collaboration in south eastern Washington and north central Idaho. This collaboration was developed as a way of promoting economic growth and prosperity together for Moscow, Pullman, and the surrounding rural areas. As opposed to working independently, the collaborators work together to capitalize on


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opportunities, create alliances, and nurture the existing and emerging companies in the region. The PKC includes partners in the cities of Moscow and Pullman, Latah and Whitman counties, Moscow and Pullman Chambers, University of Idaho and Washington State University, Southeast Washington Economic Development Association, and many businesses in the region. The Alturas Technology Park Urban Renewal District (Alturas), adjacent to the project area, was established in 1996 on the southern corner of State Highway 8 and Mountain View Road to encourage business development in the area. Today, Alturas is home to a growing cluster of high-tech companies that benefit from their proximity to the University of Idaho and Washington State University. The urban renewal area has increased the value of property considerably. In 1996, when the area was formed, the assessed value of property within the revenue allocation area was approximately $6.4 million. Improvements and developments made as a result of urban renewal efforts have helped increase property values to more than $22 million. In the EMMIP Corridor project area there are six (6) low-income housing complexes. The complexes include a total of two hundred sixty-six (266) units of which fifty-four (54) qualify for Section 8 Housing Assistance and one hundred seventy-seven (175) qualify for low-income housing subsidies based on approximately thirty percent (30%) of the income of the renters. Most units rent for below $200 per month. The residents of this housing will benefit greatly from increased transportation options and safety as they seek to improve their economic future. Also in the Corridor there are two (2) senior living communities and one (1) fifty-five plus (55+) retirement living development. There are also three (3) assisted living group homes for adults with developmental disabilities directly served by Mountain View Road. These facilities house a population of twenty plus (20+) residents each with Social Security Disability benefits. Residential housing in Moscow ranges from traditional neighborhood development and planned subdivisions, higher density apartments to pre-1950’s housing developments on grid street networks. However, mid-century and more recent suburban style subdivision development has led to the construction of “loop and lollipop” style street networks—land use decisions that impact current travel behavior. Areas east of Mountain View Road have limited access to transit and the lack of public transportation services, sidewalk connectivity, and bikeways which lead to higher rates of driving in these areas. Moscow’s elevation is 2,583 feet and has a great trail system with forty six (46) miles of paved pathways including Paradise Path and the Bill Chipman rails to trails trail that connects Moscow, Idaho with Pullman, Washington. Paradise Path connects with the Latah Trail system on the east side of Moscow traveling approximately eleven (11) miles to Troy, Idaho, with additional connections being construction to reach other smaller rural communities to the south toward Lewiston, Idaho, the closest urbanized area to Moscow. The Moscow Area Mountain Bike


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Association has many avid members, and a growing population of environmentally active Moscow citizens work on stream restoration and nature-awareness projects. Included in Attachment 4 are maps showing Paradise Path and bike route system.

As shown in the following table (American Community Survey 2006-2010 5 Year Estimates), the community places a high value on walking and biking for transportation needs with twenty percent (20%) of the residents reporting walking as their primary means of transportation to work compared with the national average at three percent (3%).

In addition, six percent (6%) of the residents bike as their primary means of transportation to work whereas the national average is less than one percent (1%) (Nelson Nygaard, DKS Associates, Alta Planning, 2014, pp. 2-5).

III. Project Parties The City of Moscow is the FY2017 TIGER applicant and lead agency. The City employs a full-time Grants Manager who writes and administers federal, state, local, and non-profit grants. The City’s portfolio includes many Federal-aid infrastructure projects in the EMMIP Corridor. The City has had various federal awards from FTA , EPA, FEMA, USDA, and Homeland Security. The City’s portfolio also includes State grant awards funded by federal agencies from the Idaho Department of Transportation, Idaho Department of Commerce, Idaho Department of Lands, Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Idaho Commission on the Arts, Idaho Heritage Council, and Idaho Department of Energy.

The EMMIP is a unique collaboration of local, state, federal and non-profit agencies working together to provide a safe multimodal transportation system in the Mountain View Road Corridor for the rural residents of the region. Moscow as a community strives to collaborate and bring together resources to benefit the rural local and regional population that travel to and through Moscow. The EMMIP is an excellent example of pooling resources in order to create a project with far reaching impacts. Below is a brief description of the EMMIP parties and their operating entity and how they have and are contributing to the reconstruction of the Corridor:

Latah County/North Latah County Highway District

Latah County has the distinction of being the only county in the United States created by an Act of Congress. In 1887, Idaho's delegate in Congress introduced a bill for the creation of Latah County, designating the boundaries and county seat as they are today. The bill passed Congress and president Grover Cleveland approved it in 1888. The University of Idaho was founded in


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1889 and thus began the association between agriculture and higher learning in Latah County. As of the 2010 census Latah County’s population was 37,244 consisting of 14,708 households, and 8,241families residing in the county. Median income for a household in the county was $36,974 and the median income for a family was $54,172. The per capita income for the county was $20,218. About 10.4% of families and 21.5% of the population were below the poverty line including 18.7% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.

Latah County is approximately 1,078 square miles, containing 697,000 acres, of which 55% is devoted to agriculture and forest industries. The three major sources of income are agriculture, forestry and the University of Idaho. Soft white wheat, peas, oats, barley and lentils are the major crops. The Palouse Region is the pea and lentil capital of the world and the growing season is approximately 150 days.

It should be noted that Latah County is all “rural” with Moscow as the largest city in the County. Besides Moscow, Latah County encompasses nine (9) other small rural incorporated cities, six (6) unincorporated communities, and seventeen (17) ghost towns or sparsely populated areas along state highways. The Latah County Highway District manages and maintains the roads and bridges in unincorporated rural areas of the County. A small portion of Mountain View Road in the project area is located in the County in the “Area of City Impact.” The County and Highway have provided letters of support and participation for the City’s FY2017 TIGER request.

Idaho Transportation Department (ITD)

ITD’s mandate is to provide the people of Idaho with a transportation system that includes various means of travel. Safe and efficient roads, bridges, airports, railroads and ports promote the expansion of Idaho's economy. Idaho's economic performance is tied to the quality of its transportation system. ITD has six designated transportation districts and Moscow is in District 2 with the office located in Lewiston 30 miles south. District 2 covers just over 13,000 square miles of north-central Idaho and maintains 1,500 lane miles (lanes of road, on- and off-ramps, etc.) and 180 bridges. District 2 encompasses five counties, with diverse geology highlighted by the pristine Clearwater River, one of the most scenic rivers in the United States. It has robust populations of fish and wildlife, and is rich in history. The Middle Fork of the Clearwater River was one of the first rivers designated under the U.S. Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

The City works closely with ITD at the state level in Boise and also the District 2 Office in Lewiston. The EMMIP Project List 2015-2018 on Page 2 shows several of the collaborative projects the City currently has with ITD in the Mountain View Road project Corridor. As stated in the NOFA the State DOT agency will manage the project with the grantee on behalf of the federal awarding agency. For Moscow, this agency would be ITD, and a TIGER award would be a continued collaborate multimodal infrastructure project assured a timely successful completion.

Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC)

LHTAC connects Local Highway Jurisdictions in Idaho with available resources for maintenance and construction of Idaho’s Local Highway System in the most efficient and effective manner possible. LHTAC manages a variety of funding programs for ITD to assist city and county jurisdictions in utilizing the available resources for maintenance and construction of urban and rural roads and bridges with Federal-aid funds for through several safety improvement programs.


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The City also works closely with LHTAC through projects ITD has assigned to their agency to manage such as the project shown on the Vicinity Map on Page 3, Group 3 – LHTAC-STP Urban Joseph Street to Sixth Street which is also further detailed below Grant Funds and Sources. The Group 3 project would be completed in conjunction with the FY2017 TIGER funding if awarded.

Moscow School District (District)

The Moscow School District serves over 2,400 rural students in four elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, an alternative high school, and one charter school. The District is governed by a five member Board of Trustees elected by the patrons of the District. The District provides a program of public education from preschool to grade 12 including an extensive gifted talented program, developmental preschool, vocational programs, and a regional alternative high school serving students from throughout Latah County. The City and the District have a long-standing collaborate relationship in successfully working together on projects for the youth and families of Moscow. As previously stated, a majority of the District’s schools and facilities are located near or within the Corridor. All of the projects listed in the EMMIP Projects Completed in 2015-2016 shown on Page 3 were a collaboration between the District and the City (Photos of Project Area, Attachment 5). The longest and most successful project completed in 2016 is the “Community Playfields” located on the corner of Mountain View Road and Joseph Street (Vicinity Map Groups 2-3). The project was 20+ years in the making located on a 20.6 acre site which includes one (1) regulation baseball field, three (3) regulation baseball fields, two (2) soccer/lacrosse fields, a 1,183 sq. ft. restroom/concession/press box building, a 1,052 sq. ft. maintenance/operations building and a 231 stall parking area. Total project costs of $3.6 million included $1.9 million City funds and $1.7 million from the District in bond levy funds. The facility is maintained/managed by the City’s Parks and Recreation Department. During the last year the new playfields have hosted over 250+ various sporting games and practices serving over 4,000+ children. Regional Public Transportation, Inc. DBA SMART Transit

Regional Public Transportation, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation providing ADA-accessible and affordable public transportation for the people of our region. SMART Transit operates as a private non-profit corporation, with a volunteer board of directions, for the purpose of providing accessible transportation services to the general public. SMART, formerly known as Valley Transit then Moscow Valley Transit, refreshed its image with a new name and logo in 2012. In 2012, the City of Moscow, in partnership with the University of Idaho, completed the Moscow Intermodal Transit Center (ITC) as a centralized location for multiple modes of transportation within the City and as a connection hub for intercity bus service. The ITC converges Moscow’s fixed-route and demand-response services with the UI campus shuttle service, intercity bus service access, as well as bicycle and pedestrian access, as it sits adjacent to Paradise Path. In addition to the SMART Transit offices, the ITC houses the University of Idaho Parking and Transportation Services. (See Public Transit Route Maps and Ridership Graphs in Attachment 7.)

SMART and the City work in continuous collaboration as the City manages the ITC and also contributes over $100,000 annually to public transportation operations for the citizens of Moscow.


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As listed in the EMMIP Chart on Page 3 a new bus shelter will be installed on Mountain View near ‘D’ Street in 2018. The shelter was purchased by SMART with FTA 5311 grant funds and will be installed with a new ADA curb ramp and sidewalk with FTA 5339 grant funds awarded to the City. Both SMART and the City received these federal grant funds through sub-awards from the Public Transportation Division of the Idaho Transportation Department.

In summary, the $5.6 million in total project costs listed in the EMMIP Projects 2015-2018 in the Chart on Page 3 above would not be possible without the collaborative efforts of all the agencies listed above which are part of the EMMIP and have worked in coordination with the City for many years. The Partnership will continue work diligently until the entire Corridor is a safe multimodal system serving all those who live, work, shop, visit medical offices or social service agencies, attend church, school, recreational activities, etc.

III. Grant Funds and Sources/ Uses of Project Funds The total project costs for the work to be completed during the years 2018-2024 for EMMIP in Mountain View Corridor Road is $24,175,442. The City will contribute $3,204,923; Federal/State funding is $3,583,453 with proposed FY2017 TIGER funding of $17,387,066 to complete the improvements described in this request. Below is a detailed outline of the sources of all funds for the project components:

FY2017 TIGER Proposed Project Funding Sources

Total Project Contribution

Percent of Project Cost

Non-Federal Local Funds – City of Moscow - Total $3,204,923 13%

Non-Federal State Funds – Idaho Transportation Department $342,160

Other Federal/State Funds – STP Urban (ITD/LHTAC)*# $2,710,613

Other Federal/State Funds – 5311/5339 Capital Funds* $20,0000

Other Federal/State Funds – 5339 Capital Funds* $10,890

Other Federal/State Funds – TAP Capital Funds (ITD/LHTAC)*# $499,790

Other Federal/State Grant Funds - Total $3,583,453 15%

Total Other Federal/State/Local Funds $6,788,376 28%

FY2017 TIGER Funding (2023 Dollars/4%) $17,387,066 72%

Combined Funds Project Costs - Total $24,175,442 100.00%

*Federal funds awarded to ITD for local agency sub-awards

#The STP Urban project is scheduled for construction in 2023-2024 and the TAP (Transportation Alternative) is schedule for 2018-2019 construction. Both projects have been award and are listed in the Idaho Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan in Attachment 8. Links to Project Concept Reports.


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PROJECTED COSTS BY GROUP

2023 DOLLARS - 4% > PER YEAR

ROW/Acquisition,

NEPA/Pre-Design* Final Design Construction Total

Group 1 – Hwy. 8 to White Avenue (including Hwy 8 traffic signal) $299,690 $377,869 $3,658,818 $4,336,377Group 2 – White Avenue to Joseph Street $251,535 $249,520 $2,416,042 $2,917,097Group 3 – Joseph Street to Sixth Street $254,880 $253,737 $2,456,876 $2,965,493Group 4 – Sixth Street to Mountain View Park $1,600,165 $839,494 $8,128,613 $10,568,272Group 5 – Sixth Street Bridge Replacement $152,853 $192,728 $1,866,141 $2,211,722Total Project Costs by Group and Phase $2,559,123 $1,913,348 $18,526,490 $22,998,961

*Pre-Obligation Phases to be Completed and Funded by City – See Attachment 9 for Detailed Project Cost Estimate for Each Group

ALL PROJECTS IN EMMIP

YEARS 2018 – 2024

Total Project Costs Non-Federal City Funds

Other Federal

/State Funds TIGER Funds

Public Transportation Bus Shelter/Sidewalk/ADA Ramp $25,000 $5,000 $20,000 $-0-Bicycle Network Improvement $12,100 $1,210 $10,890 $-0-Third Street Multimodal Bridge* $600,000 $600,000 $ -0- $-0-State Hwy. 8 – Paradise Path Underpass/Multi Path Extension $539,380 $39,590 $499,790 $-0-Group 1 – Hwy. 8 to White Avenue $4,336,377 299,690 $342,160 $3,694,527Group 2 – White Avenue to Joseph Street $2,917,098 $251,535 $ -0- $2,665,563Group 3 – Joseph Street to Sixth Street $2,965,493 $254,880 $2,710,613 $ -0-

Group 4 – Sixth Street to Mountain View Park $10,568,272 $1,600,165 $ -0- $8,968,107Group 5 – Sixth Street Bridge $2,211,722 $152,853 $ -0- $2,058,869

Total Project Costs 2018 - 2024 $24,175,442 $3,204,923 $3,583,453 $17,387,066Percentage of Total Project Costs 100% 13% 15% 72%*Third Street Bridge will be constructed in 2018 with City local funds only. Tiger Project Only $22,998,961


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IV. Merit Criteria

(1) PRIMARY SELECTION CRITERIA

(a) Safety

As a growing region of Moscow, the Mountain View Road Corridor currently hosts an average of 8,500 daily trips, a figure which is expected to grow significantly in the future. It is important to recognize that this increase in trips will come with increased danger for residents, customers and students spending time on the Corridor (see Crash Data Attachment 12). This project proposes to construct numerous elements meant to ensure the safety of all users while maintaining convenience for those drivers using Mountain View Road. In brief, this project will address the following safety measures: Sidewalks will be added to complete a nearly 2.5 mile pedestrian corridor, providing

connections between opportunities ranging from jobs and education to homes and recreation.

Bike lanes will also be added, again providing a nearly 2.5 mile, continuous north-south bicycle route to the residents and employees of eastern Moscow.

This project will add two roundabouts to intersections which have seen nearly two crashes per year over the last ten years (Sixth Street and White Avenue). NHTSA and USDOT studies have suggested that roundabouts can prevent up to 51% of injury crashes which has motivated Moscow to incorporate roundabouts to improve the safety of its citizens.

Additionally, this project will add a signalized intersection at Idaho State Highway 8. This intersection has averaged over two crashes a year, most of which were injury crashes due to the high-speed nature of traffic on a state highway. This signal will not only decrease speeds where the roadway intersects with Mountain View Road but will also provide drivers on the highway a moment to realize they are entering an urban area and they should expect to slow down and be attentive.

The City is constructing a multimodal bridge in summer of 2018 at Third Street and Mountain View Road which will reduce vehicle miles traveled along residential streets, removing over 2,000 cut-through trips from these residential areas.

This project will also replace the crumbling Sixth Street bridge which has been a priority of the City for some time. Currently, this bridge does not include pedestrian or bicycle facilities which are up to urban standards, with the edges of the bridge slowly sloughing into the creek. Replacing this bridge will include pedestrian and bicycle treatments, ensuring the safety of users. (See photos in Attachment 5.)

(b) State of Good Repair The enhancement and upgrade of the Mountain View Road Corridor has been a goal of the City for over a decade. To date, eight (8) previous projects have been completed which have made small advancements in improving the condition and functionality of the road corridor. The City’s ongoing Pavement Management Program provides funding for routine maintenance and minor surfacing activities, but is unable to meet the growing need for significant pavement restoration projects related to the rapidly deteriorating pavement condition of the corridor and other segments of the City’s street network. In an attempt to maximize the efficient use of the limited street


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funding the City has implemented a pavement inventory rating system with condition updates on a three year cycle. This has provided quantifiable information pertaining to the current condition of the entire street network as well as the effects of annual maintenance activities. This approach is used to assess the viability of differing maintenance and repair techniques on the overall street network condition and to set priorities for the limited available funding. The Pavement Management Program incorporates a variety of maintenance techniques, such as crack sealing, slurry seals, chip seals, rubberized chip seals, minor overlays, and major reconstruction to offer the greatest flexibility possible to conduct maintenance and repairs to the City streets. In recent years, the City has shifted the emphasis of the program to lower costs in order to expand the quantity of areas treated to better maintain the current condition of the street network. While this does not raise the overall condition rating of the system, it does serve to reduce the deterioration of the better condition streets and maintain their higher ratings. This program also provides information for development of the annual budget pertaining to street operations and maintenance and major repair projects.

The declining condition of the Mountain View Road Corridor is resulting in the need for reconstruction and repairs beyond the capacity of the Pavement Management Program. Unless additional funding can be secured the condition of the roadway will reach a point that it will affect the usability of the Corridor for the growing volume of vehicles, trucks, and agriculture equipment. Staff estimates operations and maintenance (O&M) expenses over the next 20 years to keep the corridor safe for use and O&M over 20 years with the project is expected to greatly decrease costs over the same period. (See Attachment 13 and 14 for the Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) Report, spreadsheets and technical analysis data.) In addition, the Corridor is part of the City’s bicycle and pedestrian network and includes ADA improvements (see Bicycle Route Maps in Attachment 4). The declining pavement conditions will be detrimental to bicycle usage and the overall lack of sidewalks requires that pedestrians use the road shoulder in many areas. The infrastructure improvements anticipated for this Corridor include the installation of a new multimodal bridge on Third Street across Paradise Creek just west of Mountain View Road. The Third Street bridge is being funded by the City and constructed in 2018. This will complete an east-west connection from the Downtown Business District to Mountain View Road which is the primary north-south arterial on the east side of the City. This connection will help to alleviate the growing burden of traffic on the existing east-west routes by providing an additional and more direct route from the urban core to the growing east side of the City. The Sixth Street Bridge portion of the project will replace an inadequately sized and functionally deficient culverted creek crossing with an appropriately sized bridge that will accommodate all modes of transportation. This work will also allow for the removal of a culvert system that is detrimental

Mountain View Road Deterioration


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to the habitat conditions of Paradise Creek. The new bridges will be designed to meet the needs of the 100 year flood events and to prevent damage to the adjacent roadway section during such events.

(c) Economic Competitiveness The EMMIP project will transform the current substandard roadways, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, bridges, and utilities in the Corridor, into a modern example of a safe, efficient, and productive multimodal transportation corridor. Mountain View Road is a critical community arterial connecting both large-scale dryland and specialty agricultural production lands surrounding Moscow to State Highway 8 and the markets of the world. Intersection improvements, roadway widening and ITD’s commitment to the signalization of the State Highway 8 intersection will increase the safety and efficiency of the roadway use by agricultural vehicles and shared roadway users.

The same roadway corridor also provides a critical connection between the City’s residential areas and Alturas Technology Park located near the intersection of Mountain View Road and State Highway 8. Alturas Technology Park is the City’s premier technology park and home to many of the City’s fast growing and high-wage companies such as Comtech EF, Alturas Analytics, Anatek Laboratories, BioTracking and more. The export industries within the Alturas have a profound impact on the Moscow economy. In 2015-2016 these companies had an estimated total payroll of over $6 million and paid an average annual salary of over $50,000, which is significantly higher than the City’s median household income of $35,389. During that same period, Alturas contributed an estimated adjusted impact of $26.7 million to the local community. Alturas is poised to expand and increase its economic contribution to the community with six additional lots improved and available for development which the EMMIP project will provide enhanced access.

Mountain View Road also provides a critical link between four of the community’s largest affordable housing projects, many community employers and the Idaho State Department of Health and Welfare (Health and Welfare) service center located near the Mountain View Road and Highway 8 intersection. Health and Welfare offer programs that deal with complex social, economic and individual issues, often helping people in crisis situations. Their programs are designed to strengthen families and promote self-reliance. More specifically the services include child support management, child care, Medicaid/CHIP, abuse and neglect, foster care, immunizations, adoptions, and many other services for families who need assistance in the areas of health and medical issues, food, cash, and housing assistance. This office serves all of Latah County and people come via Mountain View Road and Highway 8 in wheelchairs, riding bikes, walking, public transit, single automobile, or carpools from the more rural towns within the region. Currently, Mountain View Road near the service center lacks sidewalks, bike lanes and other

The EMMIP is a significant initiative exhibiting the

importance of establishing livable communities through

partnerships & collaboration in securing strategic infrastructure

investments resulting in safe ADA accessible complete streets,

providing connectivity, enhanced mobility options and expanded

public transportation services.


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multimodal facilities which inhibits access to the facility by those without a motor vehicle. The EMMIP project will provide continuous multimodal connectivity to this important facility helping those who seek the social service benefits and assistance this center provides.

Finally, as expressed in the BCA Report in Attachment 13, vehicle O&M and vehicle delay are expected to reduce as a result of this project. Reduced vehicle miles of travel as a result of the construction of the new bridges are expected to be significant which will translate into reduced vehicle O&M. Travel time savings will be realized via increased throughput along the corridor and reduced out of direction travel stemming from the construction of the Third Street Bridge.

(d) Environmental Sustainability

The City of Moscow is implementing a city-wide bicycle network. The first phase of the project was the development of a greenway corridor on the east side of the City that was be dedicated in the in 2016. This network includes the Mountain View Road Corridor, Sixth Street, and Third Street, all located within the EMMIP project area. The upgrade of these streets and the installation of the new bridges will allow these bicycle routes to be completed in a manner that will provide safe and predictable facilities for this mode of transportation. The City currently has a commute bicycle mode share of seven percent (7%). While this is considered high in the industry it is the intent of the City to raise this to a higher level and to provide for a greater usage of the street network by bicycles and pedestrians. This will result in reductions in vehicle emissions, improvement in community health, reduced commercial district parking demands, and a reduction in overall travel times.

As part of the project, the City will explore the use of water quality treatment techniques such as bio-filtration swales, tree box filters, and filter strips to treat collected roadway storm water prior to discharge to Paradise Creek. The new bridges over Paradise Creek will be designed to place the bridge abutments outside of the normal creek channel and ordinary high water mark. This will reduce the potential impacts on the creek and any associated wetland characteristics. The replacement of the existing Sixth Street culvert creek crossing with a bridge structure will remove a potential fish barrier and provide better continuity of creek habitat at the road crossing.

As detailed in the BCA Report in Attachment 13, the anticipated pollutant reductions are expected to be significant upon completion of this project. Benefits will be realized through the reduction of vehicle miles traveled as a result of decreased out of direction travel upon the completion of the Third Street Bridge.

(e) Quality of Life

Providing more transportation choices in a rural community is key to the livelihood of the residents. The shape and design of a city can play a critical role in the length of people’s journeys, the quality of the experience, and how they chose to travel. Households make fewer trips when

This project is expected to reduce vehicle miles traveled in its first year, escalating at a rate of approximately

0.35% annually because of increasing traffic throughput. These reduced vehicle miles traveled will

improve the quality of life for residents adjacent to the project by reducing the pass-by traffic while it

improves the quality of life for drivers

by reducing their time spent driving.


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neighborhoods are designed with people’s daily needs in a few minute walk, bike ride or transit trip. In rural communities like Moscow, there is a strong correlation between clustering housing and employment and people’s transportation choices. Focusing employment and residential growth strategically where there is transportation service and multimodal travel options will help Moscow provide efficient transit service and allow people to access a majority of daily needs within a short biking or walking trip. The elements in the EMMIP project create a corridor which includes a large percentage of residents needs on a daily basis or provide a clear connection to additional services. The public transit fixed routes will also be expanded with the new ADA amenities such as curb ramps and sidewalks where new bus stops can be located.

As outlined in the Transportation Fact Book of the Moscow on the Move Transportation Plan there is a large body of research that has demonstrated the relationship between land use and transportation even in rural communities. Literature on this subject has come to characterize those features of land use and urban form that encourage more concentrated development by the shorthand of “the 5 D’s.” Attainment of the 5 D’s represents best practices in development of land use patterns that support resilient, sustainable transportation systems that accommodate different transportation modes:

Density: Even modest increases in population and employment density by geographic unit (e.g., per square mile, per developed acre) supports walking, bicycling and transit use.

Diversity: Mix of land uses, typically residential and commercial development, and the degree to which they are balanced in an area (e.g., jobs housing balance).

Design: Neighborhood layout and street characteristics, particularly connectivity, presence of sidewalks and other design features (e.g., shade, scenery, presence of attractive homes and stores) that enhance the pedestrian and bicycle friendliness of an area.

Destination accessibility: Ease or convenience of trip destinations from point of origin, often measured in terms of distance from the central business district or other major destinations.

Distance: Ease of access to transit from home or work (e.g., bus or rail stop within 1/4–1/2 mile of trip origin) and a dense network of pedestrian and bicycle connections.

Street connectivity and block length have strong relationships with walking, bicycling, and transit use. Interconnected streets organized in a grid pattern tend to shorten distances for walking and biking trips. Neighborhoods where all roads are designed to connect to arterials or collector streets also allow transit customers to reach bus stops without walking out of their way and provide more efficient routing options that can support more productive transit service. Block length and street network connectivity often represent strong qualities of community design. Short blocks and well-connected streets contribute to a higher-quality pedestrian experience and pedestrian realm.


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The EMMIP Corridor project will improve non-motorized transportation choices by increasing pedestrian and bicyclist access to many nearby community schools, employers, and community service facilities. Four of the community’s largest affordable housing projects are located within or adjacent to the project area including the Camas Village Apartments, Creekside Senior Apartments, Mountain View Apartments and Edenmoor Apartments. The addition of sidewalks, bike lanes, multimodal bridges, public transit facilities and intersection improvements will increase the transportation options available to the residents of these housing centers and increase access to important community services and provide lower cost transportation options to ensure continued affordability of these important housing resources.

The EMMIP projects represent a significant investment in the community and will preserve and enhance accessibility, livability and safety of the residents within the project area as well as the many rural Latah County and City residents that use the Mountain View Road corridor daily to access critical community services provided in the numerous schools, parks, recreation facilities and commercial services accessible via Mountain View Road. The investment made through the EMMIP project will allow the City to continue to promote appropriate infill development along and adjacent to the project area knowing that the infrastructure improvements achieved through the EMMIP projects will safely accommodate increased corridor transportation needs of all modes for many years into the future. These infill developments allow for the creation of additional housing opportunities in locations that are closer to educational, employment, and shopping centers which leverage existing pubic infrastructure and transit services reducing the cost of public service delivery and decreasing transportation costs to the community’s residents.

The EMMIP project demonstrates strong alignment with multiple, local, state and federal policies and programs as evidenced by the over 28% project match (even in light of the no match requirement for rural projects) from other federal, state, and local funding sources and programs aligned to improve community safety, mobility and livability. The EMMIP project represents an outstanding partnership of all of these agencies aligning their efforts, focus, and resources to make a significant and transformative impact in the community of Moscow. This community investment will improve safety, reduce congestion, increase non-motorized transportation utilization, and increase livability which in turn will spur continued private investment in Moscow into the future.

The EMMIP project was first envisioned by community members through the development of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Moscow on the Move Transportation Plan which envision the community connections proposed through the Third and Sixth Street bridges; the enhanced safety, capacity and aesthetic improvements proposed in the Joseph and Sixth Street roundabouts; the improved pedestrian and bicycle facilities as proposed in the new sidewalks, pathways and bike lanes; and also community mobility enhancement to critical community facilities and services that the completed project will provide. The EMMIP will not displace any residents or historic structure and will instead enhance and increase the livability of adjacent neighborhoods within increased active transportation opportunities and safety.

(2) SECONDARY SELECTION CRITERIA

(a) Innovation Since 2006, the City has made major improvements to Moscow’s transportation system, including road improvements, installation of sidewalks and bicycle lanes, and bus infrastructure


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improvements. Some of these projects were made possible by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding, which is no longer available. As the federal transportation funding picture shifts, Moscow will need to develop new funding mechanisms and tap into a variety of different funding sources to implement planned improvements.

Replacement of the bridge in the EMMIP project area is proposed along Mountain View Road at Sixth Street. The City is researching the Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil–Integrated Bridge System (GRS–IBS) for construction of the bridge crossing Moscow’s Paradise Creek at Sixth Street. This construction technique is being promoted by the Federal Highway Administration’s Center for Accelerating Innovation’s “Every Day Counts” initiative as an innovative means to reduce bridge construction time and cost.

The innovative new technology uses alternating layers of compacted granular fill and geosynthetic reinforcement to provide support for the bridge. The closely spaced reinforcement and granular soil create an efficient composite material that is internally stable and capable of carrying bridge loads with predictable and reliable performance. GRS-IBS bridges can be built quickly, due to the relative ease of construction and the use of readily available materials and equipment. An accelerated construction schedule also results in less inconvenience to the traveling public and reduced exposure in the work zones, improving safety.

GRS-IBS also provides environmental advantages, as construction of the abutments is contained within the bridge footprint, and deep foundations are not needed. In addition, environmental impacts are minimized through shortened construction time and the reduced amount of steel and concrete required in the abutments. Once built, GRS-IBS bridges have been proven to be durable and easy to maintain by local forces. This, combined with fewer components compared to traditional construction, also provides the potential for lower life-cycle costs.

(b) Partnership As previously discussed under “Project Parties” the EMMIP has multiple partners comprised of the City of Moscow, Latah County, North Latah County Highway District, Idaho Transportation Department, Local Highway Technical Assistance Council, Moscow School District, and SMART Transit. This is a combination of local city and county governments, highway district, school district, local non-profit public transit agency, and a state government agency contracting with a subsidiary transportation funding organization all working together to create a complete streets corridor in Moscow. The area is populated with children attending elementary and middle schools, low income families, college students, elderly and disabled individuals living in a variety of single-family housing to low income apartments, assisted living, group homes, nursing home, retired community housing, and twin homes. The corridor also hosts the parks, youth aquatics and recreation centers, the recently completed Community Playfields ballpark, City/Rural Fire Station, County Fairgrounds, doctor, dentist, and counseling offices, multiple churches, and a community mall. All of these stakeholders and/or jurisdictional agencies are working together to improve east Moscow and to transform the Mountain View Road corridor into a safe, multimodal, community-oriented area where all who live and work there can move freely in multiple modes of healthy lifestyle options. The EMMIP is an integrated project in a corridor of various types of housing, schools, transportation services, human and health services through public and private partnerships


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coordinated through agencies that provide oversight and services in those fields. All projects proposed by the City have been strategically planned and have went through a vigorous oversight process and are publicly advertised for input, vetted, strategically approved, and listed in planning documents such as our comprehensive plan, transportation plan, water/sewer plan, and economic feasibility plan. The City recently closed an EPA Brownfields Coalition Assessment grant which assessed many properties and an EPA Brownfields Cleanup grant for a property in the Legacy Crossing Urban Renewal District located in a prior agricultural and railroad corridor in downtown Moscow. We have successfully completed projects with FTA in a TIGER II award to build an intermodal transit center on the University of Idaho campus through a public partnership. The City of Moscow as a rural city is providing sizeable matching funds for this project and has been diligent in planning financially for this FY2017 TIGER grant opportunity.

V. PROJECT READINESS As shown in the attached Project Schedule in Attachment 10 for the TIGER portion, the City will begin project activities upon award notification. The Preliminary Services Phase will commence in the summer of 2018 and consists of environmental and right-of-way assessment, appraisal, acquisition, preliminary design and public involvement activities and will be completed in the first quarter of 2020 prior to obligation. The final design phase will begin with obligation of funds no later than last quarter of 2020 continuing with design activities incorporating public involvement and final design approval in third quarter of 2022. The Construction Phase begins with public advertisement of the project in the first quarter of 2023, contract award moving into construction from April of 2023 completing in the first quarter of 2025 with project closeout completed by July 2025. The schedule is timely and well planned. The City is respected among governmental agencies in completing projects professionally and on schedule meeting all obligatory and program deadlines.

(A) Technical Feasibility The previously completed and the upcoming 2017-2018 EMMIP projects are the result of ongoing efforts to improve the existing infrastructure in the eastern portion of the City as resources allow. The past work includes the installation of a new bridge on Joseph Street over Paradise Creek, the widening and enhancement of Mountain View Road from White Avenue to the first crossing of Paradise Creek, the widening and enhancement of Mountain View Road from Sixth Street to the Third Street crossing of Paradise Creek, and sidewalk and pathway improvements at multiple locations on Mountain View Road and other streets in the initiative area. This work has provided the City with solid experience in the development of projects of a similar nature to that proposed in this FY2017 TIGER funding request. Work that is currently underway includes the Street Transportation Program Urban (STP-Urban) funded Mountain View Road Improvements project which will reconstruct Mountain View Road from Joseph Street to Sixth Street with a roadway cross section that is consistent with proposed infrastructure improvements for the remaining portion of Mountain View Road. This work includes environmental assessments, geotechnical assessments, archeological and historical assessments, and concept design alternatives assessment in accordance with Idaho Transportation Department regulations and design standards. The roadway design will be a combination of reconstruction, widening, and overlay guided by the condition of the existing road base, surface, and width conditions. A similar approach is planned for the proposed TIGER project wherein the design work will consider the existing road


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conditions, underlying and adjacent soil structure, and design parameters such as lane width, turning movements, truck loading, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and other factors.

The proposed project includes the reconstruction and widening of Mountain View Road (where not currently completed or in progress under other funding) from Idaho State Highway 8 to the northeast city limits at Mountain View Park. The road section and adjacent pedestrian facilities will vary along the route depending on intersection treatments and existing and proposed pedestrian infrastructure. The base roadway cross section will consist of two vehicular travel lanes sized to accommodate trucks and agricultural equipment, two bicycle lanes as part of the City’s bicycle network, curb, gutter, and sidewalk. In some areas, left turn lanes will be included at major intersections. In two locations roundabouts will be installed to accommodate the higher volumes of side street traffic and turning movements. For the pedestrian facilities, the infrastructure will include standard concrete sidewalks and paved pedestrian/bicycle pathways. Some segments of Mountain View Road run parallel with the City’s pathway network and in those areas asphalt pathways will be installed in lieu of the concrete sidewalks. For the bridge project, the City proposes to use either precast open span arch bridges such as those manufactured by Contech Engineered Solutions or a Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil–Integrated Bridge System (GRS–IBS). Both of these options provide a cost effective and efficient approach to small bridge installations.

This FY2017 TIGER funding request includes a cost estimate that is based on the ongoing City projects, the current STP-Urban funded design work on Mountain View Road, and other previous City projects. A planning level estimate contingency amount of 15% has been applied together with a cost escalation factor to account for an anticipated 2023/2024 construction window. The estimate also includes the overall anticipated costs for right of way acquisition, environmental assessments and permitting, design engineering, and construction engineering and inspection. In the event that grant funding at the level requested in the application is not available a lower cost reduced scope project could be addressed by removing a portion of the construction area north of “D” Street to Mountain View Park, however this is not a good solution for Moscow as funding for that section removes Group 4 construction which is $10.5 million of the projected costs in 2024 and over 40% of the funding request.

(B) Project Schedule

A Project Schedule is provided in Attachment 10 and detailed under V. Project Readiness discussed above. All pre-design activities will be completed prior to the obligation deadline and be ready to obligate the funding well before the September 30, 2020 deadline. Sufficient time is provide in the Project Schedule for unexpected delays as to not put the funding at risk. Grant funds are scheduled to be spent upon obligation approval and will be steadily expended during construction. All right-of-way and acquisition activities will be completed prior to September 30, 2020 in order to give DOT sufficient time to obligate funding prior to the statutory deadline.

(C) Required Approvals (1) Environmental Permits;

(a) Information about the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) status of the

project. The NEPA process for the EMMIP project is occurring in phases with each project in the initiative area. Previous work such as the Joseph Street Bridge has included environmental assessments as required under the bridge replacement program funding. The


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current STP-Urban Mountain View Road improvements project also includes environmental assessments with the preliminary work completed and the final assessment to occur in 2017. For the FY2017 TIGER funding request for the road and bridge work, the NEPA process will begin upon award announcement in the summer of 2018 with a completion anticipated by the end of 2019. For the road work portion of the project, past experience on the corridor indicates a potential for a Categorical Exclusion or Finding of No Significant Impact. The bridge projects will involve assessment of existing wetlands and habitat conditions.

The Preliminary Services Phase of the project will include the performance of the NEPA assessment and the acquisition of right-of-way for the anticipated street system improvements. The NEPA process will include the determination of listed species which may be present in the project area, the physical assessment of the project site, analysis of the proposed project impacts upon the natural conditions, and determination of the need for mitigation associated with the project.

(b) Information on reviews, approval, and permits by other agencies. It is anticipated that a joint application will be made through the Army Corp of Engineers for a Section 404 Individual Permit and an Idaho Department of Water Quality Stream Alteration permit. In addition, a Temporary Exceedance of Water Quality Standards permit will be required from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ). The Sixth Street bridge work will include the removal of two existing culverts under Sixth Street with restoration of the creek channel under the new bridge span. Under the provisions of Federal funding the project will be subject to review by the Army Corps of Engineers for the bridge related work and by FHWA/DOT for the overall concept and design approvals. Due to the nature of the projects included within this application some regulatory permits will be required prior to construction. This will include wetlands delineation and Army Corps of Engineers construction permit for the bridge crossing of Paradise Creek. The mainline road improvements work is anticipated to qualify under the categorically exempt classification under the NEPA process.

(c) Environmental studies or other documents. Environmental studies have not yet been developed for the TIGER Program projects included in this application. Past projects within the Mountain View Road corridor have resulted in Categorical Exclusions that have not required project mitigation.

(d) A description of discussions with appropriate DOT operating administration. For the projects within the EMMIP initiative, individual State and local approvals have been obtained for each project as they have been developed. Support for the improvements included in the FY2017 TIGER is demonstrated in the state and local plans as previously described within the request. In addition, letters of support for the project have been received from multiple agencies and entities and are included Attachment 15 Letters of Participation and Support.


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(e) A description of public engagement. The Moscow on the Move Transportation Plan is a 20-year plan that prioritizes short- and long-term actions for the City to reach the vision and goals set forth by the community. Input from key stakeholders and citizen participation guided the process of development of the Plan and setting implementation priorities. The Plan’s recommended actions aim to balance residential, commercial, downtown, institutional, and regional interests through a community and stakeholder engagement process. Three community open houses were held to identify issues, understanding conditions and weighing options to finalizing recommendations. Additional information regarding the public input process is available on the City’s website.

(2) State and Local Approvals. The City has solicited and received support for the project from the Idaho Transportation Department and the North Latah County Highway District. These are the two transportation agencies that share jurisdiction with the City of Moscow along this transportation corridor. The other component of the Preliminary Services Phase is the acquisition of right-of-way for the project. To accomplish this task it is anticipated that a right-of-way needs assessment will be performed which will identify areas where insufficient right-of-way currently exists. The identification of right-of-way acquisition parcels will be followed by the right-of-way appraisal and acquisition processes. This work is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2018 with completion of the acquisition process by the end of 2019. Both of these Preliminary Services Phase components will include public outreach and input throughout the process. The State of Idaho will also review the bridge related work during the environmental permitting processes. The environmental related reviews will primarily occur between application award announcement date and the end of 2019. The concept and design approval reviews will occur during the design process which is schedule for 2020-2021. The IDEQ permitting will occur during the final design phase.

(3) Federal Transportation Requirements Affecting State and Local Planning. In the area of overall transportation planning the entire corridor is addressed in multiple long range and capital improvement planning documents. These include the following: SH8/Mountain View Road Traffic Signal – Idaho Transportation Department State

Highway 8 Corridor Plan and the Moscow on the Move Fact Book Mountain View Road Improvements – State of Idaho Surface Transportation

Improvements Program, Moscow on the Move Transportation Plan, North Latah County Highway District Transportation Plan, and the City of Moscow Land Use Comprehensive Plan, Bicycle Network Plan, and Sidewalk Improvements Plan

Sixth Street Bridge - Moscow on the Move Transportation Plan and the City of Moscow Bicycle Network Plan and Sidewalk Improvements Plan

Sidewalk and Pathway Improvements – City of Moscow Bicycle Network Plan, Sidewalk Improvements Plan, Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan, and Paradise Path Task Force plans and the Moscow Active Living Task Force Plan


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(D) Project Risks and Mitigation Strategies

The two areas currently identified as having the greatest potential for risk associated with the project are the environmental assessment and permitting and the acquisition of right of way. To address these issues the City proposes that the majority of the environmental assessment and preliminary permitting functions will occur between the time of notice of project selection and the obligation date in 2020. This work will provide insight into environmental and permitting issues that will be addressed in the design concept and final design stages. For the right of way acquisition process the area of right of way needed will be fairly easy to define as this is primarily a straight roadway section consistent with previous roadway improvements on the corridor. The past work of the City and the City’s current adopted Street Section Standards will inform the assessment of needed right of way. The appraisals for and acquisition of the needed right of way will also occur prior to the TIGER funding obligation date.

vi. Benefit Cost Analysis The BCA methodology used in this analysis is consistent with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Benefit-Cost Analysis Guidance for TIGER and INFRA Applications, July 2017 guidelines. The detailed cost and benefit assumptions are provided in the BCA Appendix, and have been prepared by independent professional engineers and economists.

Benefit-Cost Analysis Assumptions for East Moscow Multimodal Infrastructure Partnership TIGER Application

Topic Description

Current Status/Baseline & Problem to be Addressed

The East Moscow Multimodal Infrastructure Partnership will provide commuters, shippers and residents with more efficient north-south route in the rapidly growing eastern edge of Moscow. The project will reduce out-of-direction travel by replacing the 6th Street Bridge and constructing the new 3rd street bridge, reduce accidents by constructing two roundabouts and a signalized intersection at high-accident intersections, improve pedestrian and bicycle connections along Moscow's eastern edge and reconstruct a street in need of drastic O&M expenses.

Changes to Baseline/Alternatives

Alternatives in the BCA include: Alt 1: No build, Mountain View continues to deteriorate, baseline scenario of increasing O&M spending, accidents along corridor remain, 6th Street Bridge's deterioration becomes a larger expense, 3rd Street Bridge not built, connectivity remains constrained. Alt 2: Build with construction as proposed.

Type of Impacts/Benefits

Reduced travel time, reduced vehicle O&M, project residual value, pollutant reductions, reduced crash impacts, reduced roadway O&M spending.

Population Affected by Impacts

Moscow residents, workers, visitors, university students, and freight transportation providers.


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Summary of Results Estimated dollar value of time savings, reduced pollution, safety benefits, reduced vehicle O&M. Reported values over 40 years; discounted by 3% and 7% annually.

vii. Cost Share The EMMIP project is proposed to be funded with 13% by Non-Federal City, 15% by Other Federal Funds/State and 72% by TIGER Discretionary Grant funds. Each source will play a role in various project activities and project budget funding categories. A source and use of funds and project categories is provided on Pages 14 and 15 of the narrative request. (A Detailed budget is provided in Attachment 9.)

Benefit Cost Analysis of East Moscow Multimodal Infrastructure Partnership TIGER Application

Project Benefit and Cost Analysis Summary (40-year analysis)

CategoryZero Discount Rate*

Discount Rate @3%

Discount Rate @7%

Economic Competitiveness

Cost of Vehicle Delay 38,171,700$ 19,568,615$ 9,241,548$

Reduced Vehicle O&M 3,953,146$ 2,026,543$ 957,043$

Residual Value

ROW Residual Value 941,925$ 288,753$ 62,902$

Capital Investment Residual Value 5,814,925$ 1,782,605$ 388,323$

Safety

Intersection-Related-Accident Health Cost Reductions 8,256,368$ 4,232,522$ 1,998,801$

VMT-Related Accident Health Cost Reductions 2,437,882$ 1,249,757$ 590,203$

State of Good Repair

Reduced Roadway O&M 1,080,000$ 787,441$ 526,872$

Environmental Sustainability

Vehicle Delay-Related Emission Cost Reductions 493,580$ 251,316$ 117,829$

VMT-Related Emission Cost Reductions 243,222$ 124,685$ 58,883$

Totals

Total Benefits 61,392,748$ 30,312,237$ 13,942,406$

Total Cost of Project 18,113,515$ 15,340,213$ 12,435,723$ 3.39 1.98 1.12

Benefit-Cost Ratio 3:1 2:1 1.1:1

* These values are expressed in constant 2016 dollar amounts 3 2 1.12

Secondary Benefits Economic Impact Summary

Temporary Construction Jobs Created by Project 307 jobs created in region during construction


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viii. Federal Wage Certification I hereby certify the City of Moscow ill comply with the federal wage rate requirements of Subchapter IV of Chapter 31 of Title 40, United State Codes relative to work on the East Moscow Multimodal Infrastructure Partnership (EMMIP) project using FY2017 TIGER Grant

Discretionary funds.

_________________________________ Bill Lambert Mayor City of Moscow

1 ‐ Moscow Famers Market 2015

CITY OF MOSCOW IDAHO GRANT APPLICATION

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