Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-50:  A resolution of the Flagstaff City Council, approving an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the State of Arizona through the Arizona Department of Transportation and City of Flagstaff for the Arizona State Match Advantage for Rural Transportation (AZ SMART) Match Reimbursement for the Downtown Mile Safety and Connectivity Improvement Project. 
 

1. Read Resolution No. 2025-50 by title only
2. City Clerk reads Resolution No. 2025-50 by title only (if approved above)
3. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-50

In 2022, the City of Flagstaff partnered with BNSF Railway on a U.S. Department of Transportation, INFRA grant for the Downtown Mile Safety and Connectivity Improvement project in the amount of $32,460,000 with a total grant construction award of $56,300,000. The grant was awarded by the Department of Transportation and the City of Flagstaff assumed responsibility to pay $12,840,000 in match. City staff then applied to the AZ SMART Fund through the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to cover $3,000,000 of our $12,840,000 local match. This project was reviewed and approved by both the ADOT Priority Planning Advisory Committee and the State Transportation Board. This funding was awarded in July 2022 and will cover a portion of the City's match responsibility for the Downtown Mile Safety and Connectivity Improvement project. This resolution will authorize the City of Flagstaff to enter into the IGA. 

Project Name: Downtown Mile Safety and Connectivity Improvement project INFRA grant funding:
          U.S. Department of Transportation - $32,460,000 (Federal share)
          City of Flagstaff - $9,840,000 (City match)
          BNSF Railway - $11,000,000 (Match contribution)
          Arizona Department of Transportation: $3,000,000 (AZ SMART Fund match)
Account Number Budgeted: 409-09-427-3520-1
FY Budgeted Amount:  FY2025-26 budget is $6,507,676 with total project cost of $67,506,808. Additional funds required above the match to complete this project will be covered by Proposition 419. 
Grant Funded: Yes
Funding Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration

No impact

On 4/15/2025, Council approved the U.S. Department of Transportation, INFRA Grant Agreement for the Downtown Mile Safety and Connectivity Improvement project.

-    Approve the IGA with the State of Arizona.
-    Not approve the IGA with the State of Arizona which would require the City to pay the full match amount.

The Downtown Mile Project is a suite of City Capital transportation and stormwater projects that surround the BNSF rail corridor in downtown Flagstaff. The projects share proximity, constraints with building under and around the railroad, and opportunities for funding partnerships and construction efficiency. The individual projects were aligned into the overall project scope out of a need to help fund mitigation impacts to rail operations from the construction of the Rio de Flag project, to expedite delivery of the City's multimodal projects, and to provide opportunity to BNSF to construct a third main rail line, which instituted their support for Project funding and approval for construction.

The Project components include:
Florence to Walnut Pedestrian Underpass - Construction of a pedestrian underpass to the west of the ADOT B40/Milton Road Underpass/BNSF rail bridge. Proposed to connect Florence Street and Walnut Street with a grade-separated pedestrian tunnel in an area of active trespassing.
ADOT B40 Milton Road Underpass/BNSF Rail Bridge Reconstruction - The existing twotrack bridge structure over Milton Road will be replaced and the location of the underpass will be shifted to the north in alignment with the proposed permanent third main line of the BNSF tracks. The bridge will include a span arrangement that will allow for the future ADOT corridor expansion, including multimodal improvements. Additionally, the proposed structure shall provide a minimum of 16'-8" vertical clearance as required by current ADOT and BNSF standards.
Rio de Flag Pedestrian Underpass - This grade-separated pedestrian underpass will be constructed under the BNSF corridor and adjacent to the Rio de Flag flood control concrete box culvert. It will be tied into the future Mountain Line Downtown Connection Center site located on Phoenix Avenue.
Beaver Street and San Francisco Street At-grade Crossing Safety Improvements - Will include at-grade crossing safety improvements associated with two one-way streets that intersect
with the BNSF corridor adjacent to the current Amtrak station. These improvements are focused particularly on enhancing safety for pedestrians.
Community Rail Safety Plan - A rail safety plan in accordance with Federal Railroad Administration guidelines will be delivered during design.
In addition, alignment and support for these projects will greatly benefit delivery of the Rio de Flag Flood Control Project and the Lone Tree Overpass Project.

 

Deliver outstanding services to residents through a healthy, well maintained infrastructure system.

Improve mobility and access throughout the region.
Improve transportation safety and efficiency for all modes.
Promote transportation infrastructure and services that enhance the quality of life of the communities within the region.
Increase the availability and use of pedestrian infrastructure, including FUTS, as a critical element of a safe and livable community.

Encourage vibrancy, appropriate density, and attainability in existing neighborhoods, so that more residents live within walking distance of their daily needs.
Create inclusive networks for walking and biking that are continuous, attractive, safe, comprehensive, and convenient for people of all ages.

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