Congress to Fund 50 South
On February 13, Congress passed the bill. On March 2, funds were apportioned. On March 24, the American Fork City Council approved the federal aid agreement. Soon it will be official: President Obama's American Recovery and Re-Investment Act will fund completion of American Fork's 50 South.
Those who voted in American Fork's November ballot proposition remember the City's unsuccessful attempt to fund this project through a general obligation bond. (Those who did not can read more at my October write-up.)
Now this shovel-ready project has become the perfect candidate for funds meant to "modernize roads, bridges, transit and waterways," fifty percent of which must be awarded within 120 days of March 2.
A few hurdles remain, however, before the City can claim the $2,799,000 it has applied for. By May 1, the City must have entered into right-of-way agreements with the adjacent property owners. As of this writing, fourteen parcels remain. By June 30, the project must have gone out to bid. And the City must still provide the $71,000 match of the original grant agreement (see here). Fortunately, this is a manageable sum even for the current fiscal year's budget.
Assuming the project clears these hurdles, it will see construction in the fall of 2009 and will easily meet its ultimate completion deadline of September 30, 2012. Along the way, the City will post the required reports on job creation and economic benefit so that President Obama can make good on his stated goals of accountability and transparency.
Completed, 50 South in American Fork will show the same cross-section it takes on when it crosses the city boundary and becomes Pleasant Grove's 1100 North. This means three lanes including a turn-lane, and also curb, gutter, and sidewalks.
Yes, sidewalks!
This is welcome news to us locals who use the road, be we pedestrians or drivers. Now, whether the federal taxpayer will benefit equally . . . this remains to be seen.
Those who voted in American Fork's November ballot proposition remember the City's unsuccessful attempt to fund this project through a general obligation bond. (Those who did not can read more at my October write-up.)
Now this shovel-ready project has become the perfect candidate for funds meant to "modernize roads, bridges, transit and waterways," fifty percent of which must be awarded within 120 days of March 2.
A few hurdles remain, however, before the City can claim the $2,799,000 it has applied for. By May 1, the City must have entered into right-of-way agreements with the adjacent property owners. As of this writing, fourteen parcels remain. By June 30, the project must have gone out to bid. And the City must still provide the $71,000 match of the original grant agreement (see here). Fortunately, this is a manageable sum even for the current fiscal year's budget.
Assuming the project clears these hurdles, it will see construction in the fall of 2009 and will easily meet its ultimate completion deadline of September 30, 2012. Along the way, the City will post the required reports on job creation and economic benefit so that President Obama can make good on his stated goals of accountability and transparency.
Completed, 50 South in American Fork will show the same cross-section it takes on when it crosses the city boundary and becomes Pleasant Grove's 1100 North. This means three lanes including a turn-lane, and also curb, gutter, and sidewalks.
Yes, sidewalks!
This is welcome news to us locals who use the road, be we pedestrians or drivers. Now, whether the federal taxpayer will benefit equally . . . this remains to be seen.
posted by Heidi Rodeback at 10:53 AM
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