DATE: September 4, 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/Deputy Public Works Director
SUBJECT: DCIP Grant Local Funding Peterson Space Force Base North Gate Access and Safety Improvements Project
In June 2024, the City of Colorado Springs applied for a discretionary federal grant titled the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) to assist with construction of a project to reconfigure the interchange at US Highway 24 and Peterson Blvd. Details of the DCIP grant are available in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and FAQ located on the following website: https://oldcc.gov/defense-community-infrastructure-program-dcip.
The Project will reconfigure the intersections at the entrance/exit ramps at US Hwy 24 and Peterson Blvd from traffic signals to roundabout controlled intersections. The improvements will streamline traffic moving through the north gate of Peterson Space Force Base (PSFB) – one of three main entrances to the Base. More than 15,000 vehicles enter and exit through the north gate each day, representing 40% of total base access and egress activity. The PSFB North Gate Access and Safety Improvements Project will address escalating issues related to operational readiness of the base, traffic congestion, vehicular and pedestrian safety, access to the US24 ramps, and other roadway development such as stormwater infrastructure, water quality improvements, and bicycle accommodations.
In May 2024, PPRTA provided a letter for grant local match with funds coming from the City’s PPRTA Intersection Improvements Program Fund. On August 6, 2024, the City received notice that we were selected as a finalist for the grant award. The City has been requested to provide an updated local funding letter with the exact amount necessary for the local match requirement. The estimated cost to complete construction of the project is $15.3M. The DCIP grant award is in the amount of $10.71M and the required local match is $4.59M. The revised letter of funding is provided for your consideration. The highlighted section below is added to the last paragraph to demonstrate compliance with the CDIP request.
Last paragraph of the letter: “In support of this pivotal regional initiative, the PPRTA has previously invested in preparing the project to be “shovel ready” and is poised to provide the necessary local matching funds in the amount of $4,590,000 for the City of Colorado Springs through the Intersection Improvements Program funds. This program has received voter approval, and the allocation of local matching funds for the grant award is slated as part of the budget adopted for fiscal year 2025. We implore you to endorse the City of Colorado Springs’ DCIP grant application for these crucial funds and extend our heartfelt appreciation for your thoughtful consideration.”