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FY25 PROTECT Grant Resilience Improvement Application/Bus Shelter Installations
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DESCRIPTION: Application for the FHWA PROTECT Resilience Improvement Grant to fund projects enhancing the resilience of transportation infrastructure to natural hazards, climate change, and extreme weather events, through the installation of bus shelters within RTA’s service area. |
AGENDA NO: Click or tap here to enter text. |
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ACTION REQUEST: ☒ Approval ☐ Review Comment ☐ Information Only ☐ Other |
RECOMMENDATION:
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Authorization to apply for federal funds not to exceed $8 million under the PROTECT Resilience Improvement Grant Program. The total project cost is estimated at $10 million, requiring a local match not to exceed $2 million. This project is already included in and accounted for in the RTA's Capital Investment Program.
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ISSUE/BACKGROUND:
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The PROTECT (Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation) program supports infrastructure improvements to withstand natural hazards such as flooding, sea-level rise, and extreme weather events. The FHWA announced a competitive funding opportunity totaling $876 million for FY 2024-2025. There is no award ceiling for FY2024-2025 PROTECT grant funding, and there is an award floor of $500,000. The FTA anticipates awarding 30-40 projects of differing amounts. The 2023 PROTECT grant program provided nearly $830 million in funding supporting 80 projects across 41 states and territories. Of the $830 million of funding provided, $621 million was allocated to 36 Resilience Improvement grant projects. Eligible projects focus on enhancing resilience through nature-based solutions, stormwater control, and other climate adaptation measures.
The RTA seeks funding to install shelters and related improvements at RTA bus stops that currently do not have shelters. Through a grant funded by the Greater New Orleans Foundation, the RTA Capital Projects team is working with Committee for a Better New Orleans and RIDE New Orleans to improve the quality of bus stops and shelters, to make the shelter permitting process more efficient, and to update the RTA’s scoring rubric for determining which bus stops should be prioritized for shelter installation. The updated matrix will weigh, among other factors, ridership, headways, heat island effect, and proximity to jobs and resources. The RTA also released a Request for Qualifications for a “Better Bus Shelter” design; responses to this RFQ were due in December. The approved design will be installed at bus stops using the PROTECT grant if awarded.
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DISCUSSION:
The RTA will coordinate this project with on-going infrastructure and accessibility initiatives undertaken by the City of New Orleans. Based on recent bus shelter installation efforts, the RTA anticipates that $10 million in total funding ($8 million in federal dollars and $2 million in local match) will support shelter installations and stop enhancements at 200 bus stops. These numbers are preliminary, and the project budget and cost estimates are being refined. Accordingly, the staff is seeking Board authorization for an amount not to exceed $8 million in federal funds and $2 million in local funds for a total cost not to exceed $10 million. Funding through the PROTECT grant would therefore allow the RTA to greatly expand and expedite its efforts to install shelters. Based on an analysis completed by RIDE New Orleans, if the RTA were to install 200 shelters, over 80% of riders would begin and end their trips at a sheltered stop. These site improvements would greatly enhance rider satisfaction by improving the comfort and safety of passengers waiting in a variety of weather conditions
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The total project cost is not to exceed $10 million. RTA’s local match of up to $2 million will be funded through its capital budget. This project to install shelters and related stop enhancements is already included within the CIP.
Additionally, the RTA may qualify for a reduction in the local match requirement if the project is incorporated into the Metropolitan Planning Organization's (MPO) climate resilience plan or the statewide long-range transportation plan. Under this provision, the local match could be reduced by up to 10%. Staff is requesting authorization for up to $2 million in local match, but staff hopes to reduce this amount by pursuing these avenues for a reduced match.
NEXT STEPS:
• Submit PROTECT Application by February 24th, 2025
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
2. FY24/25 PROTECT Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
Prepared By: Django Szilagi
Title: Senior Transportation Planner
Reviewed By: Rafe Rabalais
Title: Director of Capital Projects
Reviewed By: Gizelle Johnson-Banks
Title: Chief Financial Officer
1/3/2025
Lona Edwards Hankins Date
Chief Executive Officer