STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Transportation & Infrastructure
AGENDA DATE: January 11, 2023
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Department of Transportation
EXECUTIVE: Dr. Robert Perez
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
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Authorize the (1) acceptance of Regional Toll Revenue funds from the State of Texas, acting by and through the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), for the Incident Management Freeway Blocking Equipment within the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) Metropolitan Planning Area Project (Agreement No. CSJ 0918-47-207) under the Incident Management and Safety Pilot Program in the amount of $300,000.00 as state contribution to the total project cost of $375,000.00 (State contribution from State Highway 121 Subaccount of $300,000.00 and City of Dallas local match of $75,000.00 totaling $375,000.00) for three scorpion/truck combo crash attenuators to improve roadway safety in the City of Dallas; (2) receipt and deposit of funds in the amount of $300,000.00 in the FY23-NCTOG Incident Management Frwy Blocking Equipment Fund; (3) establishment of appropriations in the amount of $300,000.00 in the FY23-NCTOG Incident Management Frwy Blocking Equipment Fund; (4) local cash match of $75,000.00; (5) disbursement of funds in the amount of $375,000.00 from the FY23-NCTOG Incident Management Frwy Blocking Equipment Fund ($300,000.00) and the General Fund ($75,000.00); and (6) execution of the Advance Funding Agreement with TxDOT and all terms, conditions, and documents required by the agreement - Total amount of $375,000.00 - Financing: Texas Department of Transportation Grant Funds ($300,000.00) and General Fund ($75,000.00)
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BACKGROUND
The State of Texas received Regional Toll Revenue (RTR) funds from the North Texas Tollway Authority as surplus revenue from the State Highway (SH) 121 toll project. Pursuant to Transportation Code, 228.006, the State of Texas shall authorize the use of surplus revenue from a toll project for transportation projects, highway projects, or air quality projects within TxDOT district in which any part of the toll project is located. The Regional Transportation Council (RTC), which is the transportation policy body of the NCTCOG and the federally designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area, was designated by the Texas Transportation Commission on October 26, 2006, to select and oversee projects to be financed using RTR funds.
In October 2021, the City of Dallas responded to NCTCOG’s Call for Projects requesting RTR funds from the SH 121 Subaccount for the Incident Management Freeway Blocking Equipment within the NCTCOG Metropolitan Planning Area project. The RTC selected the project to be funded from the SH 121 Subaccount with concurrence from the Texas Transportation Commission. The City of Dallas is required to provide a 20 percent local match in the amount of $75,000.00 for local government participation. Funding received from the State, acting by and through TxDOT, will be used to purchase three scorpion/truck combo crash attenuators to improve roadway safety in the City of Dallas.
The Scorpion attached to an F550 Chassis truck is designed to block traffic from an accident. When unfolded, the scorpion serves as an energy absorbing cushion for vehicles that may potentially crash into it. This structure prevents vehicles from colliding with accident victims and first responders who are responding to a collision. The Scorpion’s modular design can also save the lives of vehicle occupants who strike the attenuator while traveling at high speeds. The Scorpion compresses in progressive stages which can reduce the impact forces on vehicle occupants.
The Scorpions will be located at three Fire Stations:
• Station 1 at 1901 Irving Boulevard
• Station 32 at 4262 North Jim Miller Road; and
• Station 43 at 2844 Lombardy Lane
This action will authorize an Advanced Funding Agreement with TxDOT to accept RTR funds from the SH 121 Subaccount for the Incident Management Freeway Blocking Equipment within the NCTCOG Metropolitan Planning Area project to purchase three scorpion/truck combo crash attenuators to improve roadway safety in the City of Dallas. The Scorpions will be located at the three Fire Stations referenced above for usage within the City of Dallas. Changing the Scorpions’ location will not alter the terms of the agreement.
The equipment must be purchased within the term set by the agreement which will remain in effect until August 31, 2024, with three years being the maximum term for non-construction agreements.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
This item has no prior action.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2023 |
FY 2024 |
Future Years |
|
Texas Department of Transportation Grant Funds |
$300,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
General Fund |
$ 75,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
Total |
$375,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
State Participation (SH 121 Subaccount Funds) $300,000.00
City of Dallas Match $ 75,000.00
Total Project Cost $375,000.00