Several changes to BCATS' FY11-14 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) were included in the current TIP's eighth amendment, approved by BCATS' Policy Committee on January 25, 2012. Upon imminent approval by MDOT and FHWA the amended projects can proceed towards implementation. The following text of the notice published on page A2 of the December 26, 2011 Battle Creek Enquirer outlines the amendment.
REQUEST FOR COMMENTS ON
TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS
THE BATTLE CREEK AREA TRANSPORTATION STUDY (BCATS) HEREBY GIVES NOTICE of opportunity for public involvement in the eighth amendment to its Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for fiscal years (FYs) 2011-2014 (10/1/10–9/30/14). The proposed amendment includes: 1) Adding a FY12 project for Battle Creek Transit (BCT) to replace one 8-10 passenger lift-equipped small bus with a new clean diesel model. Total estimated cost $80,000 [80% Federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ), 20% State Comprehensive Transportation Fund]. Pending determination of eligibility for CMAQ funding by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA); 2) Shifting right-of-way acquisition for the Michigan Dept of Transportation’s (MDOT’s) resurfacing & minor widening of I-94BL (Columbia Ave W), from I-94 northeastward to the Columbia Ave turnoff, to FY12 from FY11, and adding the $4.0 million construction phase in FY14; 3) Shifting MDOT’s freeway signing upgrade project along I-194 (M-66) from I-94 northward to Hamblin Ave, to FY13 from FY12, and increasing the construction phase cost by 23.3%, to $715,000; 4) Increasing the estimated construction cost of MDOT’s FY12 restoration & rehabilitation of the I-194/M-66 bridge over GTWRR in downtown Battle Creek by 4.8%, to $2.0 million; and 5) Adding a FY13 MDOT project to replace the M-96 (Columbia Ave E) bridge over Raymond Rd, at a total cost of $1.9 million. With this amendment to BCATS’ TIP will be a request for MDOT to amend the Statewide TIP, to add a FY12 project for the City of Albion to replace a small bus/van, used by Albion-based social service agencies, with a cleaner-running, more fuel-efficient model, funded by $40,000 in Federal CMAQ funds and $10,000 from the City of Albion. Like project #1 for BCT described above, Albion’s project is pending determination of eligibility for CMAQ funding by the FHWA. Details of all the listed projects, and of several administrative modifications that will be presented with the amendment, can be provided upon request, and may also be available online at www.bcatsmpo.org. Discussion and action regarding the proposed amendment will be conducted at the regular meetings of BCATS’ Technical Committee on Wednesday, January 11, 2012, and Policy Committee on Wednesday, January 25, 2012. Both meetings begin at 1:30 pm in the Council Chambers of Springfield City Hall at 601 Avenue A. Public comment on the amendment is encouraged before or at that meeting; BCATS' regular meetings are open to the public. Comments on the amendment will be accepted for 30 days following publication of this notice. Direct questions and/or comments to: BCATS, 601 Avenue A, Springfield, MI 49037; ph 269-963-1158, fax 269-963-4951, e-mail bcats@bcatsmpo.org.
