Public Notices

THE BATTLE CREEK AREA TRANSPORTATION STUDY (BCATS) HEREBY GIVES NOTICE of opportunity for public involvement in the ninth amendment to its Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for fiscal years (FYs) 2011-2014 (10/1/10–9/30/14).  Any project to be implemented with Federal transportation funds must be identified in the TIP.  The proposed amendment includes:  1. Adding FY13 operating assistance to Battle Creek Transit (BCT) for its Beckley Rd Corridor Circulator & I-194 Express service.  Funding requested from Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5316 Job Access & Reverse Commute (JARC) program.  Total $427,000 [50% FTA Section 5316, 50% State of Michigan Comprehensive Transportation Fund (CTF)]; 2. Adding FY13 capital assistance to BCT for rehabilitation of bus-related equipment & the BCT administration-maintenance facility, and project management.  Funding requested from FTA Section 5309 Bus & Bus Facilities Livability Initiative.  Total $328,500 (80% FTA Section 5309, 20% State CTF); 3. Adding a Michigan Dept of Transportation (MDOT) project to widen the I-194/M-66 southbound off ramp to M-96 (Columbia Ave), for a dedicated right turn lane onto M-96.  FY13 preliminary engineering (PE) total $4,100, FY14 construction (CON) total $67,900.  Both PE & CON 80% Federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ), 20% State "M".  Pending determination of eligibility for CMAQ funding by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA); 4. Adding a MDOT project to widen, resurface, & re-stripe 1.7 miles of I-94BL/M-96 (Michigan Ave) from Wattles Rd to Wheatfield Parkway, for a continuous center left-turn lane.  FY13 PE total $80,400, FY14 CON total $1,419,600.  Both PE & CON 80% Federal CMAQ, 20% State "M".  Pending determination of eligibility for CMAQ funding by FHWA; 5. Deleting a $365,000 project for the Cities of Battle Creek (BC) & Springfield to resurface part of Territorial Rd and Evergreen Rd, respectively, in FY14; 6. Adding a FY12 City of BC project to resurface Territorial Rd, from Helmer Rd eastward to 300' east of 20th St, and Capital Ave SW, from Rebecca Rd southward to Beckley Rd.  Total $396,394 [80% Federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) Urban Local (STUL), 20% City of BC]; 7. Shifting a $500,000 City of BC project to resurface Beckley Rd from Minges Rd eastward to M-66, from FY13 to FY14, and modifying the Federal STUL share from 80% to 58%; and 8. Adding a $2,066 FY12 MDOT project to replace & re-guy an existing wood pole at the intersection of M-311 (11 Mile Rd) & I-94BL/M-96 (Michigan Ave) with Federal STP Safety funds.  Details of all the listed projects, and of administrative modifications that may 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, March 14, 2012, and Policy Committee on Wednesday, March 28, 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.