DOT tells city to return $1.025 million on stalled projects

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Iowa Department of Transportation has told the city to return $1.025 million in state traffic-safety funds for three city projects because the projects have not moved ahead as initially envisioned.

The three projects are intersection improvements on Mount Vernon Road SE at 19th Street SE; roadway improvements to Collins Road NE from east of F Avenue NE to west of Northland Avenue NE; and intersection improvements at Collins Road NE and Northland Avenue NE.

Gary Petersen, a Public Works Department engineer, spelled out for the City Council's Infrastructure Committee this week the reasons why the three projects have not come to be. The city successfully applied for the Traffic Safety Improvement Funds for the three projects between 2006 and 2008.

According to Petersen's comments and his written report to the committee:

The Mount Vernon Road SE project did not move ahead because expected increases in traffic volume haven't materialized; the project required mostly local dollars as well as the need to buy properties; and the city now frowns on expanding existing rights of way. The city is returning $124,529, which was 7 percent of a $1.8 million project cost.

On Collins Road NE, the city is in the process of a major multiyear widening project, and TSIP grants for the road work and the intersection project were part of a series of federal and state grants the city was working to obtain for this part of the larger Collins Road NE project. The other money has not been secured.

The city is returning $400,000 in TSIP funds for the road improvement work, or 8 percent of the $5 million project cost, and $500,000 for the intersection project, which is 49 percent of the $1.006 million project.

Petersen said the city and the DOT continue to work together on the Collins Road NE project.

He said the city has nine other road projects in the works that are partially funded by TSIP grants. It's possible the city may have to return additional money if program timelines can't be met, he said.

He said the city can reapply for funds for the projects.