Resolutions authorizing the City Manager to apply to the Area Transportation Partnership for:

• Surface Transportation Program Small Urban funding for the city share of the 2027-2028 TH 169 Improvements; and
• Transportation Alternatives funding for the city share of the 2027-2028 TH 169 Improvements.

Adopt the attached resolutions.

An ATP is a group of traditional and non-traditional transportation partners including representatives from MnDOT, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, Regional Development Commissions, counties, cities, tribal governments, special interests, and the public that have the responsibility of developing a regional transportation improvement program for their area of the state.
 
The ATP process was introduced in the early 1990s to ensure stakeholder participation in the investment of federal transportation funding. The ATP process provides for early and continuous involvement in the development of the State Transportation Improvement Plan, a four-year list of projects that are expected to be done within that timeframe.
 
The ATP solicits for projects that are eligible for federal funding. The resulting project lists are reviewed and integrated into the Area Transportation Improvement Program, which is then sent to MnDOT’s Office of Transportation System Management to be included in the State Transportation Improvement Program. The final STIP is forwarded to the Federal Highway Administration/Federal Transit Administration for approval. No federal projects can be started until this approval is received.
 
Funding programs include:

• National Highway Performance (National Highway System includes all principal arterials)
• Surface Transportation (Non-principal arterial roadways - state, city, county, transit capital, off-system bridges)
• Highway Safety Improvement (highway safety & rail)
• Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (Metro only)
• Metropolitan Planning (includes Mankato area)
• Transportation Alternatives (Safe Routes to School, recreational trails, former enhancements, other)

South Central Minnesota ATP was established to bring together the transportation improvement recommendations of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), regional development commissions (RDCs), Mankato-North Mankato Area Planning Organization (MAPO), cities, and counties into an integrated list of transportation investments in the form of the Area Transportation Improvement Program (ATIP).
 
South Central Minnesota ATP also:

• Reviews and comment on the draft STIP
• Establishes criteria for project selection
• Partners with the MAPO to incorporate projects from the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
• Participates with MnDOT District 7 in the development and review of policies and procedures for managing the program.
• Develops and reviews priority lists for programs that are not included in the target.

 This year’s solicitation is for the 2029 construction season in the following categories:

1. Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program

The Transportation Alternatives Program is a competitive grant opportunity for local communities and regional agencies to fund projects for pedestrian and bicycle facilities, historic preservation, Safe Routes to School and more. Up to $1,600,000 available.

2. Surface Transportation Program (STP) Small Urban - City streets/bridges

Funds are designated for street/bridge improvements on city federal aid routes. Eligible applicants are cities with populations of 5,000 or more. In ATP 7, this includes Fairmont, Mankato, New Prague, New Ulm, North Mankato, St. Peter, Waseca, and Worthington. Up to $3,225,000 available.
 
Staff are proposing applications for FY 2029 funding for local shares in both categories for the 2027-2028 TH 169 improvements. The improvements proposed by MnDOT will:

• Reconstruct TH 169 for a significant, long-term pavement fix between TH 14 and Belgrade Avenue in 2027.
• Construct a roundabout at Webster Avenue in 2027.

 

• Remove the signal closing the existing access at Lind Street and construct a roundabout at North River Lane and a new city street that will connect to Hiniker Parkway in 2027.
• Improve bicycle and pedestrian accommodations in 2027
• Improve TH 169 pavement from Belgrade Avenue to South Riverfront Drive in 2028.
• Perform bridge repair on three bridges in 2028.
• Improve pavement on the Sherman Street, Lookout Drive, and Center Street ramps that connect to TH 169 in 2028.  

These proposed improvements will have a significant cost share from the City of Mankato and ATP funding is an ideal method to fund the local share of this project. Early estimates for Mankato’s local share of the project are $8.87 million, of which $1.98 million is trunk highway eligible. Successfully STP Small Urban and Transportation Alternatives funding for these improvements will offset the need for local road improvement funds and allow them to meet other needs in the community.
 
Staff recommends approval to apply for funding opportunities in these two programs.