What's New
The next BCATS Committee meeting is the Technical Committee scheduled for June 14, 2023. The meeting will be at 1:30 pm at Springfield City Hall, 601 Avenue A, Springfield, MI 49037.
FY 2023-2026
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (TIP)
AMENDMENT #5 - May 2023
The fifth amendment to the current TIP was addressed by the BCATS Committees in May, with local approval 5/24/23 at Policy Committee. The amendment package is being assembled and will be transmitted to MDOT in early June for State review and then forwarded to Federal officials for final review and approval, expected by 6/14/23, for the included projects to proceed as amended. The amendment consisted of the following actions:
1) Adding a 2023 capital preventive maintenance (CPM) project to mill and place one course asphalt overlay on I-94BL/M-37 (Columbia Ave W) from Skyline Dr northeastward & eastward to Helmer Rd, by the Michigan Dept of Transportation (MDOT). Total heavy maintenance construction phase (CON) budget $1,053,000, 100% State of Michigan Betterment “M” funds; JN-218783. (Note: This project is exempt from requirements for Federal review and approval since no Fed-aid is being used. It was included in the amendment process only as information for the public and BCATS Committees.)
2) Abandoning MDOT’s planned 2023, $510,000 CON phase for special pavement marking applications on selected trunklines in MDOT Southwest Region, and reducing the 2023 preliminary engineering (PE) budget by 81.8% to match actual expenditures to date of $1,818 [90% Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), 10% State “M”]; JN-207367.
3) Abandoning MDOT’s planned 2023 PE and 2024 CON phases to construct an auxiliary right lane on M-66 NB between Beckley Rd and I-94, due to unforeseen roadside drainage issues that would require cost-prohibitive mitigation for this project to move forward. Budget as proposed was for PE $115,000 (100% State “M”) and for CON $670,000 (81.85% Fed Congestion Mitigation Air Quality, 18.15% State “M”); JN-210822.
4) Adding MDOT 2023 PE and 2024 CON phases to install pedestrian crosswalk improvements at six various locations in the MDOT Southwest Region, including in Battle Creek along M-66 (Division St) from the police station driveway just south of the Battle Creek River northward 0.08 mi to Flint St, and along M-66 (Capital Ave NE) from Hopkins St (across from Bailey Park) northward 0.15 mi to J Bartlett Ave. Total budgets for MDOT regionwide project: PE $155,195 (90% Fed Vulnerable Road Users, 8.75% State “M”, 1.25% Local-Cities of Kalamazoo & Battle Creek), CON $1,119,126 (90% Fed HSIP, 8.75% State “M”, 1.25% Local-Cities of Kalamazoo & BC); JN-218784.
5) Adding a Vulnerable Road Users Road Safety Audit along 5.3 mi of M-96 (Columbia Ave) from Helmer Rd eastward to Michigan Ave E, to be conducted by MDOT in 2024. Total budget for the safety audit study, considered early preliminary engineering (EPE), $25,000 (90% Fed HSIP, 8.75% State “M”, 1.25% Local-City of BC); JN-218818.
6) Adding a Vulnerable Road Users Road Safety Audit along 3.6 mi of M-66 (Division St-Capital Ave NE) from I-194 (at Hamblin/Jackson) north-east-northward to Taylor-Trace just north of Morgan Rd, to be conducted by MDOT in 2026. Total budget for the safety audit study, considered EPE, $25,000 (90% Fed HSIP, 8.75% State “M”, 1.25% Local-City of BC); JN-218819.
7) Delaying PE and CON phases of MDOT’s planned fixed object removal to the extent of the clear zone along 13.7 mi of M-66 from M-60 in Branch County northward to Glenn Cross Rd. PE moved from 2024 to 2025, PE total budget $151,292; CON moved from 2025 to 2027 (and out of FY23-26 TIP) , due to budgetary restrictions, CON total budget increased 10% to $652,000 for expected inflation. Both phases funded 90% Fed HSIP, 8.75% State “M”, 1.25% Local-City of BC); JN-211892.
8) Increasing 2023 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307 operating assistance to Battle Creek Transit (BCT) by 42.2%, to $2,037,175, matched with $2,037,175 from the City of BC. Total Fed+Local $4,074,350, 50% each; JN-208191.
9) Abandoning a 2023 FTA Section 5339 capital project to upgrade farebox collection for BCT. Budget as proposed was total $178,406 [80% Fed FTA-Sec5339, 20% State Comprehensive Transportation Fund (CTF)]; JN-208238. and
10) Adding a 2023 FTA-Sec5339 capital project for new communications equipment for BCT. Total $163,301 (80% Fed FTA-Sec5339, 20% State CTF). JN-219113
FY 2023-2026
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (TIP)
AMENDMENT #4 - March 2023
The fourth amendment to the current TIP was addressed by the BCATS Committees in March, with local approval 3/22/23 at Policy Committee. The amendment package was transmitted to MDOT in early April for State review and then forwarded to Federal officials for final review and approval, granted 4/17/23, for the included projects to proceed as amended. The amendment consisted of the following actions:
1) Increasing the cost of a 2023 replacement bus for Marian Burch Adult Day Care, by 64.2% to total $142,051 [80% Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 (Elderly & Disabled), 20% State of Michigan Comprehensive Transportation Fund (CTF)];
2) Increasing the cost of 2023 Michigan Dept of Transportation (MDOT) pavement marking retro-reflectivity readings on selected MDOT Southwest Region trunkline segments, by 28.2% to total $14,101 (90% Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program, 10% State of Michigan Betterment “M” funds);
3) Adding 2024 preliminary engineering (PE) and 2026 construction (CON) phases for MDOT bridge preservation - capital scheduled maintenance on M-294 (Beadle Lake Rd) over the Kalamazoo River. PE total $33,933, CON total $222,300; both phases 81.85% Fed Surface Transportation Program (STP), 18.15% State “M” funds;
4) Adding 2025 PE for MDOT bridge replacement on M-89 (Michigan Ave W) over Waubascon Creek. PE total $211,000, CON (scheduled for FY28 beyond current TIP) total $1,408,000; both phases 81.85% Fed STP, 18.15% State “M” funds;
5) Modifying the limits and increasing cost of MDOT’s 2023 CON phase for capital preventive maintenance on M-37 (Bedford Rd N) from Creekview Dr north to the county line, on M-66 from Wanadoga Creek north to the county line, and M-78 from M-66 east/northeast to the county line. Limits changed to add M-78 segment northeast thru Barry County then continuing into Eaton County to Bellevue city limits, with increased cost 55.1% to total CON $1,287,000 (81.85% Fed STP, 18.15% State “M” funds;
6) Adding 2025 bridge capital preventive maintenance by the City of Battle Creek on 20th St over the Kalamazoo River. CON total $333,000 (80% Fed Bridge Rehab STP, 15% State “M” funds, 5% City of BC; and
7) Suspending indefinitely MDOT’s $3.6M rehabilitation of the M-96 (Columbia Ave) bridge over I-194/M-66 planned for 2023.
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AMENDMENT #3 - December 2022
The third amendment to the current TIP was addressed by the BCATS Committees in December, with local approval 12/14/22 at Policy Committee. The amendment package was transmitted to MDOT for State review and forwarded to Federal officials for final review and approval, granted 1/24/23, for the included projects to proceed as amended. The amendment consisted of the following actions:
1) Adding 2024 preliminary engineering (PE) and construction (CON) phases for durable pavement marking application on 1.09 mile of I-94W from Stone Jug Rd to Renton Rd by the Michigan Dept of Transportation (MDOT). Total estimated costs PE $450, CON $36,900; both 90% Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program, 10% State of Michigan Betterment “M” funds.
2) Modifying the CON phase budget of the City of Battle Creek’s 2023 Capital Ave mill & resurface with ADA ramp upgrades, from Rebecca Rd northward to VanBuren St, total $1,770,000, to reduce the local share of $874,453 (49.4%) from the City of Battle Creek, to $321,255 (18.15%). The total Fed Surface Transportation Program (STP) share is set to the maximum 81.85%, $1,448,745;
3) Adding a joint Calhoun County Road Dept (CCRD) & City of BC 2023 resurfacing of North Ave from Roosevelt northward to Morgan. Total estimated cost $543,677, 81.85% Fed STP, 18.15% local ($54,328 CCRD, $44,349 City of BC);
4) Moving the CCRD’s resurfacing of S Wattles Rd, from B Dr N to G Dr N, from 2025 to 2023. Total estimated cost $2,024,999, 81.85% Fed STP, 18.15% CCRD;
5) Adding the City of Springfield’s 2023 resurfacing of Harmonia Rd, from Evergreen to Helmer. Total estimated cost $659,743, 81.85% Fed STP, 18.15% City of Springfield;
6) Adding 2023 capital improvements for Battle Creek Transit, including a shop truck with plow, roof repair, mobile column lift/vehicle hoist, two administrative vehicles, and miscellaneous maintenance equipment. Total estimated cost $485,500, 80% Fed STP, 20% State of Michigan Comprehensive Transportation Fund (CTF);
7) Adding 2025 resurfacing of Skyline Dr, from Columbia Ave to Hill-Brady Rd, by the City of BC. Total estimated cost $604,765, 81.85% Fed STP, 18.15% City of BC; and
8) Adding 2025 resurfacing of B Dr N, from 6½ Mile Rd to Beadle Lake Rd, by the CCRD. Total estimated cost $610,874, 81.85% Fed STP, 18.15% CCRD.
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AMENDMENT #2 - September 2022
The second amendment to the current TIP was addressed by the BCATS Committees in September, with local approval 9/28/22 at Policy Committee. The amendment package was transmitted to MDOT for State review and forwarded to Federal officials for final review and approval, granted 10/19/22, for the included projects to proceed as amended. The amendment consisted of the following actions:
1) Increasing the total construction (CON) phase budget of the City of Battle Creek’s FY23 Capital Ave mill & resurface with ADA ramp upgrades, by 53.7% to $1,770,000. The increase reflects the new inclusion of the section from Fairfield to Weeks, establishing the project limits as the contiguous segment of Capital Ave from Rebecca Rd northward to VanBuren St, as well as general inflated costs. Total Federal Surface Transportation Program $895,547; total City of Battle Creek $874,453; and
2) Increasing the total CON budget of the Michigan Dept of Transportation’s FY23 bridge rehabilitation at M-96 (Columbia Ave) over I-194/M-66, by 31.7% to $3,498,460. The increase is mainly due to underestimate of original budget, increase in unit prices, bringing up to standard the ramp terminals, additional work to improve superelevation and cross slope, and crown adjustment. Total Fed Interstate Maintenance & Fed Surface Transportation Program $3,138,822; total State of Michigan Betterment “M” funds $329,821; total City of BC $96,057.
FY 2023-2026
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (TIP)
Complete TIP Document Available HERE
FY23-26 TIP Project List from document with Maps
The FY 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the BCATS area was unanimously approved by both BCATS' Technical and Policy Committees on May 11th and May 25th respectively. The full document was transmitted July 1st to MDOT for State review and was forwarded to Federal officials for final review and approval, granted 9/19/22. The new TIP will go into effect on October 1, 2022, the first day of FY23. The list of projects selected for the FY23-26 TIP was also transmitted July 1st to MDOT through JobNet, the State's online database program for managing transportation improvement projects, and is also now Fed-approved for the selected projects, particularly those planned for FY23 implementation, to proceed after October 1st. The establishment of the new TIP for FY23-26 with FY24-26 projects added to FY23 projects carried over from the previous TIP is considered Amendment #1 to the FY23-26 TIP.
The new TRANSPORTATION CONFORMITY DETERMINATION REPORT associated with the development of the BCATS 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program was finalized and is available to view below:
Questions about the Report can be directed to BCATS at bcats@bcatsmpo.org.
BCATS' FY 2023 Unified Work Program (UWP) is available to view at this link. The BCATS Committees acted upon the FY 2023 UWP document in May. The locally approved document was approved and went into effect on October 1, 2022.
2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan
BCATS' 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan has been completed and was approved by the BCATS Policy Committee on February 23, 2022. The full 222-page document can be viewed here, or view the Executive Summary here.
