Attachment A Description of Project Arkansas River Flood Levee Trail and Multimodal Connections This application requests funding in 2018 to assist with the construction of the improvements including 1,200' of concrete trail, a 250' x 12' bike pedestrian bridge over the Arkansas River, bump outs, railing, lighting and seating areas. This project is a unique opportunity to partner with the Pueblo Conservancy District as part of the reconstruction of the 90 year old Arkansas River Flood Levee that extends for three miles through the center of the City of Pueblo. The reconstructed flood levee will have an average width of 40 along the top of the structure that will easily accommodate the project improvements. In addition a bike/pedestrian bridge will be constructed that will connect the flood levee trail with the existing Arkansas River Trail that extends from Fountain Creek for 10 miles to the base of Pueblo Dam within Lake Pueblo State Park. The existing Arkansas River Trail is part of the 25-mile Pueblo River Trails System. This project is within the designated corridor of the Colorado Front Range Trail which is part of the priority project area identified in Governor Hickenlooper s priority trail corridors. The project includes the following: Arkansas River Flood Levee Trail and Multimodal Connections This project is requesting FY2018 funds for the construction of the initial improvements along the top of the flood levee including a 1,200' of concrete trail, a 250' x 12' bike pedestrian bridge over the Arkansas River including the bridge approaches, bump outs, railing, lighting and seating areas. The Pueblo Conservancy District owns all of the property that is included within the project boundary and the City of Pueblo has a perpetual easement that allows for the construction, operation and maintenance of a bike/pedestrian trail, trailheads, and other recreation facilities on and across the Conservancy District s property. Arkansas River Flood Levee Trail and Multimodal Connections Description 1 Bike/Pedestrian Bridge 250 LF x 12 Wide - Single Span 2 Concrete Trail - 1,400 LF x 14 wide x 6 thick reinforced @ $10 per sq. ft. Cost $ 750,000 196,000
3 Access to Bike/Pedestrian Bridge 103,200 4 Trail Bump Outs 3 structures 10,000 SF concrete 240,000 ($80K each) 5 Railing 1400 LF 91,000 6 Lighting (8) 25 overhead lights & (6) pedestrian 192,000 lights 7 Trail Seating Lump Sum 27,800 Total Cost $1,600,000 Funding Sources City and Conservancy District Funds (15.5%) $ 250,000 Colorado Department of Local Affairs Energy Impact 400,000 Assistance Funds (25%) Great Outdoors Colorado Local Government Funds (22%) 350,000 Transportation Enhancement (37.5%) 600,000 Total Funds $1,600,000 Relationship of Project to Long-term Pedestrian/Bicycle Plans This project is identified as a high priority project for the City of Pueblo in the Pueblo Area Council of Governments 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan. In addition, this corridor is identified as a segment of the Colorado Front Range Trail that is planned to link between Ft. Collins to Pueblo passing through communities along the eastern toe of the Colorado Front Range. The Pueblo Conservancy District has included the development of a bicycle/pedestrian trail along the top of the levee with linkages to adjacent areas as part of their master plan that has been in place since the late 1990 s. Historic/Scenic Transportation Activities This project will provide for the initial construction of a bicycle/pedestrian facility along a 90 year old flood levee that is being reconstructed in order to receive certification under federal emergency management agency criteria. The flood levee was constructed 45 years prior to the Lake Pueblo Dam, and therefore did not incorporate the storage provided by Lake Pueblo to reduce the risk of flooding in Pueblo. Therefore as part of the reconstruction, the flood levee is being rebuilt an average of 12 lower than the original structure. This allows for the top of the levee to be increased from a width of 15 to 40 allowing for greater opportunities for the public to safely use the levee corridor for public access and viewing of the river and the historic sections of the City.
This project will provide for the initial construction of a bicycle/pedestrian facilities that will improve the ability for bicyclists and pedestrians to safely access the following facilities and commercial areas: 1. Arkansas River Flood Levee 2. Future phases of the project will provide access to adjacent neighborhoods and historic commercial areas.
Attachment B Maps, Plans and Photographs A vicinity map showing the City of Pueblo and the location of the project is included as Attachment B-1. A map showing the initial project construction area is included as Attachment B-2. Photographs are included showing the initial project construction area as Attachments B-3.
ARKANSAS RIVER FLOOD LEVEE AND MULTIMODAL CONNECTION PLAN Proposed Arkansas River Levee Trail Project Proposed Trail
Attachment B-2 Dorseys Way Dors eys Way Arkansas River Flood Levee and Multimodal Connections Phase 1 Construction Project Area Elm hu rst Pl E lm hu rs tp l W or on a W Co ro na Av e e at St H hw 96 Chapa P Chapa P l r Sumn e Ave Sumner Ave ve A ve Gal e Ab ri Av en d e o ve Ab l e A Levee Const rie ariver Arkasnas G Av n d e o AbPuebloTrailSystem Ab rie rie A n Av d b Av n d e o rie e o Av n d e o 0.027 5 r le Ty St 0.055 ± WC oron a Av e WC tte rde Bu ve A tte rde u B ve A e oron a Av e Ho Av e A war ve d ve on A Nels Ave n ls o Ne All ey Av e A ll ey Av A on il s W ve Ho wa rd on A Legend 0 l St Pear l St Pearl W il s Av e ig ay e C St Harvard Ave ve 0.11Harv ard A Fl o Av rida e Flor ida Av W h 4t W St h 4t 0.165 Miles 0.22 Source: vesri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, A e rv ar d Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community HaGetmapping,
1 Levee Trail view to NW from 4th Street Bridge 1 Levee Trail looking SE to I-25 2 Levee Trail view to NW from 4th Street
Attachment C Evidence of eligibility by Project Category Project Category 1: BICYCLE/PEDESTRIAN, NON-MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION The Arkansas River Flood Levee Trail and Multimodal Connections planning and design project is eligible for funding as a bike/pedestrian, non-motorized transportation activity project. The planning and design of off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized forms of transportation is an eligible activity under 23 U.S. C. 213(b). This planning and design project will develop a plan that includes bicycle infrastructure, lighting and other safety-related infrastructure, and design features that achieve compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 USC 12101 et seq.). The planning and design project will identify infrastructure-related projects and systems that will improve safety for non-drivers, including children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities to access daily needs. Project Category 3: HISTORIC/SCENIC TRANSPORTATION ACTIVITIES As part of the planning and design features of this project the development of bump-outs, overlooks, and viewing areas will be identified along the top of the reconstructed flood levee for viewing the river and the historic commercial areas adjacent to the river. Relationship to Transportation The existing trail system is over 25-miles long and links the City s neighborhoods to several community destinations, such as: Lake Pueblo State Park, the Pueblo Nature Center, Zoo, City Park, the Arkansas River and Fountain Creek, Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo, and the Pueblo Mall. The entire length of his section of the River Trail borders three of the City s lowmoderate income neighborhoods known as the Westside, Blocks, and the Grove which each contains a 50% Hispanic population. The need to provide safe neighborhood connectivity to the trail system is identified as a high priority in the PACOG 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan. (See Attachment D Benefits of proposed project List of Plans Documenting the Need and Support for the Project.)
Attachment D Benefits of proposed project This bicycle and pedestrian improvements included in this project will be developed along a 90 year old flood levee that is being reconstructed in order to receive certification under federal emergency management agency criteria. The flood levee was constructed 45 years prior to the Lake Pueblo Dam, and therefore did not incorporate the storage provided by Lake Pueblo to reduce the risk of flooding in Pueblo. Therefore as part of the reconstruction, the flood levee is being rebuilt an average of 12 lower than the original structure. This allows for the top of the levee to be increased from a width of 15 to 40 allowing for greater opportunities for the public to safely use the levee corridor for public access and viewing of the river and the historic sections of the City. This is a unique opportunity that will not be available in the future to work in partnership with the Pueblo Conservancy District to incorporate public bicycle/pedestrian improvements that are integrated with reconstruction of the flood levee structure. This project will focus on the initial 1,200 that is south of 4 th Street (SH96) along the top of the reconstructed Arkansas River Flood Levee. The project includes a trail, bridge across the Arkansas River that links with the existing Arkansas River Trail on the west side of the river, lighting, and bump-out/ overlook areas along the top of the flood levee. The existing Arkansas River Trail that is part of the 25-mile river trail system extending from Colorado State University-Pueblo to Lake Pueblo State Park, and to adjacent neighborhoods. A key component of this project is to complete the initial phase that will ultimately improve non-motorized connectivity within and adjacent to the city center of Pueblo. The project area is located within two census block groups (14001 and 35001) that meet the designated federal environmental justice criteria. This criteria contains the following socio-demographic characteristics: 1) Greater than 51% low-moderate income households; 2) Greater than 50% minority population; 3) 20% or greater disabled population; and 4) 10% of greater population with no motorized vehicles ( See attached Figure 3.19 map of Census Block Groups Meeting EJ Criteria). In addition, Census Block Group maps from Chapter 3 of the PACOG 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan showing lowmoderate income levels, minority population percentages, percentage of disabled populations, and percentage of families with no motorized transportation vehicles are included as attachments to the application. This planning project will focus on improving infrastructure and non-motorized activities that increase bicycling and walking, and improve connectivity from the
low income neighborhoods to the Rawlings Public Library, Pueblo Community Health Center, City government facilities, transit stops, and adjacent commercial areas. Based on the Built Environment/Active Living Scan November 2013 of Overweight and Obese Population in Colorado, Pueblo County has a 64.5% rating for obesity among its adult population. This is a rating that is higher than the average within the State of Colorado. Over the past 35 years the City of Pueblo and active citizen groups have developed an excellent trail system along our river and creek corridors. While this provides a great resource for the community and visitors, the most significant weak link identified is the lack of neighborhood connectivity to the trail system. This is especially prevalent along the Arkansas River with its steep bluff that borders the south side of the Arkansas River, the railroad yards, and the Arkansas River Flood Levee. Improving access from neighborhoods and connectivity with the downtown will be the most beneficial improvements that will increase bicycling and walking activities contributing to improved health and lowering the percentage of obese citizens in the Pueblo community. The Arkansas River Flood Levee Trail and Multimodal Connections project is identified in the planning documents as a high priority pedestrian/bicycle project. These documents are listed below and applicable pages are included as attachments to this application. These plans express the relevance of the project to the City and County s Regional Trail System. List of Plans Documenting the Need and Support for the Project - Pueblo Regional Transportation Plan year 2040 Pueblo Area Council of Governments, May 2016 - Colorado Front Range Trail Comprehensive Implementation Plan, 2007 - Pueblo Conservancy District Development Suitability Study, 1993
Attachment E Environmental Review As part of the planning and design project an environmental review will be completed that identifies environmental issues and concerns within the project area. The proposed project along the Arkansas River Flood Levee is being completed along the opposite side of the Arkansas River from previous trail improvements that have received environmental clearances completed by CDOT. Previous federal environmental clearances have also been completed for this section of the Arkansas River as part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers funded Arkansas River Fisheries Habitat Restoration Project constructed between 2004 and 2005. The previous environmental studies of this section of the Arkansas River included a review of endangered species, potential environmental hazards and a cultural analysis of the corridor. The environmental analysis indicated their were no known threatened and endangered species within the river corridor and no known environmental hazards or cultural or archeological sites identified within this section of the Arkansas River corridor. The results of this review are included within the Final Ecosystem Restoration Report and Environmental Assessment for the Arkansas River Fisheries Habitat Restoration Project, Pueblo, Colorado, September, 2001. In addition, the Arkansas River Trail, Phase 3 project, funded through the CDOT Transportation Enhancement Program in 2010 and constructed between 2011-2012 also was subject to the required environmental clearances for the construction and upgrades of the river trail system on the west side of the Arkansas River across the river from the Arkansas River Flood Levee.
Budget and Implementation Schedule Attachment F Construction of the initial non-motorized transportation facility improvements along the top of the Arkansas River Flood Levee The total project cost for the Arkansas River Flood Levee Trail and Multimodal Connections is $1,600,000. Steven Meier, Director of Parks & Recreation/Planning & Community Development/Licensed Landscape Architect with the City of Pueblo prepared the project budget. The City is requesting a grant in the amount of $600,000 from the Transportation Alternatives Program to complete the project. Local matching funds in the amount of $1,000,000 will be provided by the City of Pueblo, Pueblo Conservancy District, Colorado Department of Local Affairs Energy & Mineral Impact Funds, and the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund. The matching funds will be budgeted and appropriated by the City of Pueblo prior to the approval of a contract for the project. The local matching funds will total 62.5% of the total project costs. The funding information for the project is as follows: Construction Costs 1 Bike/Pedestrian Bridge 250 LF x 12 Wide $ 750,000 Single Span @ $120/sq. ft. 2 Concrete Trail - 1,400 LF x 14 wide x 6 thick reinforced 196,000 @ $10 per sq. ft. 3 Access to Bike/Pedestrian Bridge 206 @ $500 per LF 103,200 4 Trail Bump Outs 3 structures 10,000 SF concrete 240,000 @ ($80K each) 5 Railing 1400 LF @ $65 per ft. 91,000 6 Lighting (8) 25 overhead lights @ $15,000 each & 192,000 (6) pedestrian lights @ $12,000 each 7 Trail Seating Lump Sum 27,800 Total Cost $1,600,000 Funding Sources City and Conservancy District Funds (15.5%) $ 250,000 Colorado Department of Local Affairs Energy Impact Assistance 400,000 Funds (25%) Great Outdoors Colorado Local Government Funds (22%) 350,000 Transportation Enhancement (37.5%) 600,000 Total Funds $1,600,000
Arkansas River Flood Levee Trail and Multimodal Connections APRIL 2016 Phase 2 - Construction of the initial non-motorized transportation facility improvements along the top of the Arkansas River Flood Levee PROJECT SCHEDULE PROJECT TASKS Oct-17 Sep-18 Oct-18 Mar- 19 GRANT NOTIFICATION SIGN CONTRACT NEPA REVIEW COMPLETE FINAL ENGINEERING COMPLETE BID PACKET ADVERTISE PROJECT BID OPENING AWARD PROJECT BEGIN CONSTRUCTION PROJECT COMPLETION CLOSEOUT PROJECT May- 19 Jun-19 Jul-19 Aug- 19 July-20 Aug- 20 Nov- 20