Transportation Projects
in the Decatur Metropolitan Area
Receiving Federal Funding Pursuant to the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)

Projects Approved by the DUATS Policy Committee on April 21, 2009

According to the provisions of the ARRA, DUATS received a total of $4,646,309 for capital and transportation projects in the Decatur Metropolitan Area. ARRA required that projects receiving ARRA funding be “shovel ready.” Transportation related funding was divided into two areas: transportation infrastructure and mass transit related.

$2.949,008 in ARRA funding allocated to DUATS was intended to be used for transportation infrastructure projects that met the eligibility requirements for Federal Surface Transportation Program – Urban (STP-U) and were “shovel ready.” All of the projects approved by DUATS met STP-U guidelines and are able to be implemented on or before the March 3, 2010, deadline. DUATS was required to provide an approved list of projects to the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) District 7 Office prior to March 1, 2009.

Through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DUATS approved $1,697,301 in funding for capital projects managed, operated and maintained by the Decatur Public Transit System (DPTS). Like the transportation infrastructure projects, ARRA required that all approved transit related projects be “shovel ready.”

Transportation infrastructure projects were evaluated by DUATS staff during the month of March and early April, 2009. Projects were proposed by a number of member entities. All proposed projects had to meet the eligibility standards were further judged according to factors which included safety, security, environmental mitigation, congestion, and system operations and maintenance. The selection process also included an emphasis on projects that would maximize job creation while provide economic benefit to the community. Specifically, the group evaluated project readiness, fiscal feasibility, and the community benefit of proposed projects. On April 7, 2009, staff recommended a list of projects to the DUATS Technical Committee for their review and comment. On April 14, 2009, the Technical Committee unanimously recommended that list of projects to the DUATS Policy Committee. And on April 21, 2009, the Policy Committee unanimously approved the list of projects which would receive funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), as was announced by the Illinois Department of Transportation on February 25, 2009.

One (1) road project and three (3) bridge projects were approved by the Policy Committee to receive ARRA funding. A summary of these projects is provided below.

ARRA Funding

ProjectNumberARRA Amount

Garfield St. Bridge over CNRR 05-03 $   792,000

Main/Henderson St. Bypass, Mt. Zion R241 $1,229,600

Twin Bridges, west of Forsyth on C.H. 20 MC10-01 $   480,000

MacArthur St. Bridge, north of Ash St. 06-02 $   447,408 (Remaining ARRA funds)

Total ARRA Funds Available$2,949,008

STP-U Funding

MacArthur St. Bridge, north of Ash St. 06-02 $   352,592 (Total Cost is $800,000)

Total Estimated Project Costs$3,301,600 (ARRA and STP-U)

The Garfield Street Bridge will undergo rehabilitation and improvement to address several structural deficiencies. The Main/Henderson By-pass project in Mt. Zion involves the construction of a new street around Mt. Zion High School which will alleviate considerable traffic congestion and significantly improve safety of pedestrians and motorists. The Twin Bridges project will allow the replacement of two deficient bridges on County Highway #20 just west of the Village of Forsyth. And the MacArthur Bridge project will include replacing the existing bridge which is just north of the junction of MacArthur and Ash Streets in Decatur.

DUATS also approved spending approximately $1,400,000 of the FTA allotment to purchase four 35 foot buses. The new buses will replace the last of DPTS’s fleet of 1993 buses. $106,500 of the FTA funds will be used by DPTS to purchase two wheelchair vans. These vans are used to provide door-to-door transportation for people with disabilities who are unable to use the bus system.

The remaining $190,801 will be used for the following transit facility improvements:

• Repair and remodel the bus barn, including updating the plumbing, electrical, heating and air conditioning systems, remodeling the restrooms and offices, and sealing and painting the exterior walls;
• Repair and sealcoat the asphalt parking areas and driving lanes on the north side of the Transit Administration Building; and
• Install a water recycling system in the bus washer to reduce the amount of water used in washing buses.

These projects have been in the planning stages for many years, but had to be delayed because adequate funding was not available. It is anticipated that the road and bridge projects will go to letting between now and June, 2009 and the DPTS projects will be awarded within 60 days of the date that the grant is formally approved by FTA.

Also, DUATS approved three (3) transportation related projects using an accelerated schedule which required amending the FY 2009 – 2012 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). Principal among those were projects proposed by District 7, IDOT, which included resurfacing a portion of Illinois Route 105, as well as pavement markings and installation of guardrail end section in numerous locations.

3.05 miles of Route 105 will be resurfaced between east of 26th Street to Bender Road on the east side of Decatur. Cost of this project is anticipated to be $3,030,00. Pavement markings in District 7 is estimated to cost $240,000. Replacement of Guardrail sections on a District wide basis will cost approximately $100,000.

If you have any questions or would like more information on DUATS’ use of ARRA funds, the projects described or transportation issues in the metropolitan area please contact Mark Smith, Senior Planner, Transportation & Long Range Planning, 217.424.2790 or mlsmith@decaturil.gov.