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<br />construction" does not guarantee that a project will be approved for shared <br />funding utilizing federal funding. There is a tremendous public demand for <br />bicycle and pedestrian facilities throughout Texas and the United States, as <br />this form of recreation/transportation has become increasingly popular; <br />demand for funding has increased dramatically. In addition, pathways <br />constructed with federal funds must meet the American Association of State <br />Highways and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards which are very <br />stringent (and very expensive). Staff has solicited a proposal from Halff <br />Associates for design of this approximately 5-mile pathway on Fairmont <br />Parkway from Luella to SH 146. The design proposal, not including surveying <br />and other incidental costs, was approximately $85,000. In order to proceed <br />with this project, additional funding will be needed in the upcoming FY 05-06 <br />budget in order to complete the design and be ready for the 2008 call. It <br />should also be noted here that the money spent for preliminary engineering <br />and environmental analysis to prepare for the potential grant, is not <br />reimbursable through the TIP or other governmental agencies. <br />4. The other major source of funding for bicycle and pedestrian trails for us is <br />recreational trails through the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. TPWD has <br />changed the rules to make their grant process more stringent due to the <br />increasing number of grant applications they have received. One opportunity <br />for grants that is largely untapped at present is the equestrian and off-road <br />recreational trails grants. A part of our implementation plan calls for an <br />equestrian trail along the F-101 waterway in northwest La Porte. <br /> <br />Recommendations <br /> <br />Staff recommends the following actions be taken in order of priority: <br /> <br />1. Council approved $100,000 in the FY 2003-2004 budget for trail implementation <br />that has been held in abeyance due to the possible required match for the Safe <br />Routes to School project mentioned above. Once a decision is made and bids let <br />for this project, we will have an idea how much, if any, will be required to get it <br />constructed. Staff recommends that we continue to hold these funds until we <br />have definite construction costs from TxDOT. Should the required funds exceed <br />the available $100,000, Council will need to decide whether or not to continue <br />with the project by approving the expenditure of any additional funding that may <br />be required. <br />2. Should the budgeted funds not be needed for SRS, then the "E" Street bicycle <br />lane project could be funded (cost is approximately $22,000), leaving a balance <br />of +/- $78,000. This could be used to fund another small project that would have <br />good impact such as flood control district right-ot-way, or as a match tor the <br />equestrian grant program, or as a portion of priority 3 below. <br />3. Instead of spending money to prepare for and fund a portion ot a potential grant <br />through state and federal funds, Council may want to consider straight funding <br />for a trail system, with the potential for shared funding through Harris County. <br />Council may recall the new 10' concrete connector pathway that was installed <br />Page 3 of 4 <br />