DATE: October 2, 2024
TO:
- Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) Board of Directors
- Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC)
FROM: City of Colorado Springs – Gayle Sturdivant, PE, PMP, City Engineer/Acting Public Works Director
SUBJECT: BIP Bridge Project Grant Application Fillmore St Bridge Improvements and Trail Connections – I-25 to Monument Creek
The City of Colorado Springs plans to apply for the FY 2023-2026 Bridge Investment Program (BIP) grant to secure funding for the engineering and construction of two new Fillmore Street bridges over Monument Creek and the Union Pacific Railroad. More information on the BIP grant can be found in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) available at:
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/bip
The NOFO was released on December 20, 2023, and the BIP Bridge Project grant applications for fiscal year 2025 are due by November 1, 2024. The local match for the grant will be provided through the City’s PPRTA Fillmore Street Bridge Improvements and Trail Connections – I-25 to Monument Creek project, which is included in the PPRTA Extension 2025-2034 (PPRTA 3) A-list projects.
Previously, PPRTA allocated Emergency Bridge Funds for the local matching portion of a BIP Planning Grant, which supported the Planning and Environmental Linkages study for this project. This planning grant has federalized the replacement of the bridges, making them more competitive for future federal funding opportunities.
While the exact grant amount is still being determined, the City anticipates requesting approximately $48.5 million. Grant local match must be a minimum of 20% and the City anticipates offering 30% local match to make the application more competitive (approximately $21M). The City is prepared to budget for these local match requirements in their capital allocations between 2025 and 2029.
To complete the grant application, the City needs a letter of support and confirmation of local funding. A draft letter has been prepared for the Board’s consideration.
The City respectfully requests the Board’s approval to provide the requested letter of support and funding commitment.