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Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Apply for Surface Transportation Block Grant Program - Direct Attributable Funds in the Amount of $2,120,000 for the Completion of the Sidewalk Network Along New Centre Drive
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Department: |
Transportation |
Meeting Date: |
9/1/2026 |
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Contact Name: |
Andy Thompson |
Public Hearing: |
No |
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Contact Phone: |
910-341-0835 |
Advertising Date/Advertised By: |
N/A |
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Attachments: |
Attachment #1: Resolution; Attachment #2: Map; Attachment #3: WMPO Estimate Tool with Contingency |
PURPOSE:
Attached for your consideration is a resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply to the WMPO for Surface Transportation Block Grant Program - Direct Attributable (“STBGP-DA”) Funds in the amount of $1,696,000, with a 20% local match in the amount of $424,000. These funds, if awarded, would be used to create a contiguous sidewalk network along New Centre Drive between Market Street and College Road, and to construct traffic signal upgrades at two existing intersections, including additional pedestrian signalization infrastructure.
BACKGROUND:
The WMPO Board adopted the FY26 to FY30 Submittal Guide for STBGP funds on June 25, 2025, announced a Call for Projects on July 7, 2025, and approved funding for five projects at their November 19, 2025, meeting, allocating funding through FY28. A Special Call for Projects was released on June 1, 2026, to award the remaining project funding for FY29 through FY30. Final applications are due on September 18, 2026.
Staff reviewed the previous capital improvement program. This project was previously identified and deemed needed; however, due to fiscal constraints in developing the capital improvement program, it was not selected. This project and other non-selected pedestrian-oriented capital improvement projects were evaluated using the WMPO’s Special Call for Projects scoring rubric, which awards points based on five fundamental goals: Safety, Fairness, Connectedness, Resiliency, and Proactivity. Of the reviewed projects, this project scored the highest and has been selected for submission in this grant application cycle.
This project will address critical active transportation and multimodal connectivity needs by closing sidewalk gaps along both sides of New Centre Drive and providing signalized pedestrian facilities across New Centre Drive. New Centre Drive is a major collector roadway and is included in the WMPO Safe Streets and Roads for All Safety Action Plan High Injury Network for vehicles and bikes/pedestrians. Now that New Centre Drive has been transferred from NCDOT to the City of Wilmington for operation and maintenance, the City is better positioned to pursue this improvement.
Funding will not be available until FY29, which begins on October 1, 2028. Project engineering and design work cannot begin until funding is authorized by the federal government. Therefore, staff estimates the project will take approximately 3 years to complete once authorized to begin.
budget
BUDGET IMPACT:
The 20% local match, totaling $424,000, is currently available from Motor Vehicle Fee revenue.
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
Passage of the resolution is recommended.