The city of Schertz is seeking funding assistance from the Texas Department of Transportation for the construction of West Dietz Creek Trail.
Schertz City Council unanimously approved an advanced funding agreement with TxDOT for the West Dietz Creek Trail Project on March 17. The trail will be a 10-foot-wide, 1.73-mile-long concrete trail along West Dietz Creek. The project was initially estimated to cost $1.35 million; however, it has since increased to $1.6 million, according to agenda documents.
In a nutshell
The trail project is being funded through federal and local dollars. Approximately $1 million is being administered through the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and TxDOT’s Transportation Alternatives Set Aside, or TASA, Program. Since the program calls for an 80/20 split, the city is paying a $250,000 match, as previously reported by Community Impact.
However, TxDOT charges local governments oversight costs and will charge the city of Schertz about $21,750 in fees, bringing the city’s total commitment for trail construction to $271,750. The TASA Program only reimburses entities for construction, so design, environmental and construction management services must be paid for in full, according to agenda documents.
When the city originally applied for the funding, staff thought design, environmental and construction management services would be reimbursed by TxDOT, but they are not, said Lauren Shrum, the city’s parks, recreation and open spaces director. The design cost for the trail will be incurred by the city, and construction costs will be reimbursed by TxDOT.
Remember this?
City Council approved an agreement with engineering firm Halff Associates Inc. for design, engineering and construction management services for the West Dietz Creek Trail Project in January.
The trail will have multiple pedestrian crossing improvements at each road crossing along with benches, trash cans and water fountains, as previously reported by Community Impact.
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