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REQUEST FOR COMMENTS ON TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS

THE BATTLE CREEK AREA TRANSPORTATION STUDY (BCATS) HEREBY GIVES NOTICE of opportunity for public involvement in the seventh amendment to its Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for fiscal years (FYs) 2020-2023 (10/1/19–9/30/23), consisting of the following proposed actions on projects of the Michigan Dept of Transportation (MDOT) :

1) Identifying 0.23 mi of road segments and ramps adjoining the M-96 (Columbia Ave) bridge over I-194 in the bridge rehabilitation project planned for 2020 preliminary engineering (PE) and 2023 construction (CON); modifying Federal & State cost shares, and adding Local cost share, for non-bridge structure road segments, with unchanged estimated total costs.  Budget of $203,000 for PE was 100%  State of Michigan “Betterment” funds (State “M”); now 81.85% Fed Interstate Maintenance (IM), 16.77% State “M”, and 1.38% Local - City of Battle Creek (BC).  Budget of $2,657,000 for CON was 90% Fed IM, 10% State “M”; now 87.2% Fed IM,  12.0% State “M”, 0.8% Local-BC.  2020 preliminary engineering - structural (PE-S) for the bridge itself remains  at $155,000 total, 100% State “M”.  Total estimated project cost $3,015,000;

2) Abandoning a programmed 2020 CON phase for bridge superstructure replacement at 12 Mile Rd over Nottawassepee Creek, just north of H Dr S.  Total estimated CON cost $667,863, 80% Fed Highway Improvement Program Bridge R&R (HIPB), 20% State “M”;

3) Adding 2021 asphalt crack treatment on 1.9 mi of M-96 (Helmer Rd from Columbia Ave northward to Dickman Rd, and Dickman Rd at Helmer Rd intersections).  Total estimated PE cost $5,100, 100% State “M”; total estimated CON cost $62,718, 81.85% Fed Surface Transportation Program (ST), 18.15% State “M”;

4) Adding 2020 PE and 2022 CON for milling and one course asphalt overlay of 4.0 mi of M-66 from L Dr S northward to D Dr S in Leroy Township.  Total estimated PE cost $35,000, total estimated CON $1,215,000; both phases funded 100% State “M” - Non-Freeway Resurfacing Program (NFRP); and

5) Adding the 2023 PE phase, to the current TIP, for 2025 CON of minor widening/conversion of 4 lanes to 5 lanes, on ~1.0 mi of M-96/M-37/I-94BL (Helmer Rd) from Territorial Rd northward to Dickman Rd, to improve operations and safety.  Total estimated PE cost $395,125 , total estimated CON $2,446,596; both phases funded 81.85% Fed National Highway System (NH), 15.88% State “M”, and 2.27% Local-BC. 

Further details of the above listed changes, and other projects in the TIP, can be provided upon request and may also be available online at www.bcatsmpo.org.  Public comment by e-mail to bcats@bcatsmpo.org is encouraged before Policy Committee action on 7/15/20.  Due to restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, regular Committee meetings are being held electronically in a virtual setting; details on how to access and participate in the Policy Committee meeting will be posted on BCATS’ home page at www.bcatsmpo.org approximately one week before the meeting date.  Comments will be accepted thru July 15th.  Direct questions and/or comments to:  BCATS, 601 Avenue A, Springfield, MI  49037; fax 269/963-4951, e-mail bcats@bcatsmpo.org.

1) Modifying the budget of the City of Battle Creek’s 2021 signal removal, roundabout installation, and ADA improvements at the North Ave/Emmett St intersection, by increasing estimated total cost 27.6%, with added funding. New total $956,940, with same $257,713 Federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ), added $600,000 Fed Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), updated local share from City of Battle Creek $99,227;

2) Adding 2021 tree clearing/removal by the Calhoun County Road Dept (CCRD) along parts of K Dr S, 8 Mile Rd, Meachem Rd, Hutchinson Rd, McAllister Rd, and 6 Mile Rd.  Total estimated cost $515,497, 90% Fed High Risk Rural Roads (HRRR), 10% CCRD;

3) Advancing the funding year of the construction phase for major capital preventive maintenance (CPM) by the Michigan Dept of Transportation (MDOT) on the M-89 (Washington Ave) bridge over GTW RR & Kalamazoo River, from FY24 to FY23 and so into the FY20-23 TIP cycle.  Actual work in 2024.  Total estimated cost $995,000, 81.85% Fed Surface Transportation Program (STP), 18.15% State of Michigan “Betterment”; and

4) Modifying the budget of the CCRD’s 2021 resurfacing of Morgan Rd, from M-37 (Bedford Rd) eastward to North Ave, by increasing estimated total cost 87.0%, with added funding.  New total $925,000, with same $404,932 Fed STP-Urban Local (STUL), added $344,220 State Transportation Economic Development Fund Category F grant, and updated local share from CCRD $175,848.
 

1) Adding phases for 2020 preliminary engineering (PE), 2021 right-of-way (ROW), and initial 2022 construction (CON) for Michigan Dept of Transportation (MDOT) work on 8.1 miles of I-94 from west of Helmer Rd eastward to east of F Dr N, with an estimated total combined cost of $120,267,052.  Construction is expected to run from fall 2022 to December 2025.  Planned improvements include a) resurfacing & shoulder widening on both directions of I-94 from west of Helmer Rd eastward to 6½ Mile Rd, then shoulder widening from 6½ Mile Rd eastward to east of F Dr N; b) resurfacing all four ramps at I-94 Exit 95 (Helmer Rd); resurfacing the ramp from Beckley Rd to eastbound I-94, and reconstructing the other three ramps at I-94 Exit 97 (Capital Ave); and reconstructing the ramp from eastbound I-94 to Beadle Lake Rd, and resurfacing the other three ramps at I-94 Exit 100 (Beadle Lake Rd); and c) replacement of I-94 bridges over 6½ Mile Rd, Beadle Lake Rd, 9 Mile Rd, and the Kalamazoo River; replacement of the Capital Ave bridge over I-94; and bridge barrier railing replacement on the F Dr N bridge over I-94.  Estimated budget for PE $5,556,160, for ROW $50,000, and for CON $114,660,892.  All funding from State of Michigan Rebuilding Michigan bonding program (RBMP), except for Federal Interstate Maintenance (IM) funds of $8,343,000 to in part finance the replacement bridges at Capital Ave and at 6½ Mile Rd;

2) Adding phases for 2020 PE and 2023 CON for MDOT’s replacement of the I-194/M-66 bridges over the Kalamazoo River, with an estimated total combined cost of $20,292,000.  Estimated budget for PE $2,672,000, and for CON $17,620,000.  All funding from State of Michigan Rebuilding Michigan bonding program (RBMP);

3) Adding phases for 2020 PE and ROW, and 2021 CON for MDOT’s milling & two course asphalt resurfacing of 2.9 miles of M-37 (Helmer/Bedford Rd) from M-96 (Dickman Rd) northward to Creekview Dr (just north of Battle Creek  city limits), with an estimated total combined cost of $7,640,000.  CON phase funded in 2021, activity in 2022.  Estimated budget for PE $770,000, for ROW $50,000, and for CON $6,820,000.  Each phase funded 81.85% Federal National Highway System (NH), 15.88% State, and 2.27% City of Battle Creek;

4) Adding 2022 CON for rehabilitation of the Raymond Rd bridge over the  railway lines, 0.37 mi north of Michigan Ave E and south of Porter St, by the Calhoun County Road Department (CCRD).  Total estimated CON cost $1,129,000, 80% Federal Bridge Rehab Surface Transportation (BHT), 10% State, 10% CCRD.
                
5) Adding 2020 PE and CON phases for MDOT’s replacement & upgrade to overhead LED lighting along I-194/M-66, from I-94BL (Dickman Rd) northward to Hamblin Ave.  Estimated budget for PE $4,000, for CON $46,000.  Each phase funded 81.85% Federal NH, 18.15% State;

6) Adding 2020 CON phase for MDOT’s bridge superstructure replacement at 12 Mile Rd over Nottawassepee Creek, just north of H Dr S.  CON phase funded in 2020, activity in 2021.  Total estimated CON cost $667,863, 80% Federal Highway Improvement Program Bridge R&R (HIPB), 20% State;

7) Adding 2020 CON phase for MDOT’s reconstruction of the GTW railroad crossing surface on I-94BL (Michigan Ave E) just east of Union St.  Total estimated CON cost $354,892, 90% Federal Surface Trans Safety Hwy Xing Hazard Elimination (STRH), 10% State;

8) Adding 2020 CON phase for MDOT’s reconstruction of the Grand Trunk & Western railroad (GTWRR) crossing surface on I-94BL (Main St) just north of Dickman Rd E.  Total estimated CON cost $302,554, 60% State of Michigan Railroad (MRR), 40% GTWRR;

9) Adding a 2020 request from Battle Creek Transit (BCT) to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for capital assistance under FTA Section 5310 (Elderly & Disabled) New Freedom Mobility Management program, to establish a model that can work at/with BCT to coordinate countywide transportation & implement a centralized dispatch system between multiple providers.  Total estimated cost $82,500, 80% FTA Sec5310, 20% State of Michigan Comprehensive Transportation Fund (CTF);

10) Adding a 2020 request from BCT to the FTA for operating assistance under FTA Section 5310 (Elderly & Disabled) New Freedom operating program, to operate expanded demand response service for seniors, persons w/ disabilities, and the general public beyond the existing fixed route hours and boundaries.  Total estimated cost $459,990, 50% FTA Sec5310, 50% City of Battle Creek;

11) Adding a 2021 request from BCT to the FTA for capital assistance under FTA Section 5339 (Bus & Bus Facilities) program, to replace ten large heavy duty diesel buses with lifts for BCT’s line-haul fixed-route service.  Total estimated cost $5,048,000, 80% FTA Sec5339, 20% State CTF; 

12) Adding a 2021 request from Community Action Agency of South Central Michigan for capital assistance under FTA Section 5310 (Elderly & Disabled) program, to replace two vans.   Total estimated cost $234,000, 80% FTA Sec5310, 20% State CTF; and

13) Adding one 2021 request and one 2023 request from Community Inclusive Recreation for capital assistance under FTA Section 5310 (Elderly & Disabled) program, to replace one bus, up to 30' in length, each year.  Total estimated cost each year (2021 & 2023) $79,000, 80% FTA Sec5310, 20% State CTF.  
 

BCATS Announces Obligated Federal Transportation Projects Report for FY 2019

The Battle Creek Area Transportation Study has prepared the federally required Obligated Federal Transportation Projects Report for FY 2019.  Please click here to see the full report.

BCATS' FY 2020-2023 Transportation Improvement

Program (TIP) Now Approved

(the new TIP, which was approved by the BCATS Policy Committee on June 19, 2019, and by federal funding sources on Sept. 26, 2019, is now available online HERE in electronic "pdf" format

FY 2017-2020 TIP