APPLICATION INFORMATION: Type of Application: Capital

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

Type of Application: Capital

Location: Pasco County, FL

Urban Areas: Tampa Bay Metropolitan Area

Amount Requested: $20 Million

ES-1

I-75 @ Overpass Road Interchange

Executive Summary

Pasco County, Florida is ambitiously

embarking on a journey to become

“Florida’s Premier County”. Through the

principles of creating a thriving community,

enhancing quality of life, stimulating

economic growth, and improving

organization performance, the agency is

determined to take the community to the

next level. In order to accomplish this, Pasco County must offer the region a healthy environment for

mobility and connectivity.

Since 2006, the East Pasco County area has been experiencing a dramatic increase in population and

employment which has congested travel along the CR/SR 54 and SR 52 interchanges of Interstate 75 (I-

75). In order to address these conditions, Pasco County, is pursuing funding for the I-75 at Overpass Road

Interchange – a transportation improvement project that will improve mobility and create new

opportunities for economic development.

Pasco County and the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) have identified the I-75 and Overpass

Road Interchange Project as the number one priority project in Pasco County. Additionally, this project

has been endorsed by both the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Federal Highway

Administration (FHWA). An Interchange Justification Report (IJR) has been developed by the County

concurrently with a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study. The IJR has been approved by

FDOT and FHWA and the PD&E is expected to be approved in October 2017. The total project cost is

$62.1 million. The County has identified $42.1 million for the project, which is being committed as local

match. The region hopes to receive the remaining $20 million through the TIGER discretionary grant

program.

A Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) was conducted following TIGER guidelines to systematically compare the

benefits and costs associated with the proposed project. Results indicate that the project will yield 2.7

times benefits compared to costs over a 20-year period. The project is not only a good use of federal

dollars, but also a much needed investment for the mobility, connectivity and economic vitality of the

region.

I-75 at Overpass Road Interchange Benefits

Provide efficient and reliable

mobility.

Enhance sustainability through the quality

of bridges and roadways, reducing future

maintenance requirements.

Improve safety using latest

industry standards and best

practices.

Demonstrate innovative design by

implementation of FHWA’s “Every Day

Counts” principles.

Advance condition of existing

transportation infrastructure

and system.

Support increased economic

competitiveness by enabling easy access to

residential, commercial, industrial, and

employment activity uses.

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Table of Contents

SECTION I: Project Description .................................................................................................... 1

The Connected City ........................................................................................................................................................................ 1

Meeting Transportation Challenges ........................................................................................................................................ 2

SECTION II: Project Location ........................................................................................................ 3

SECTION III: Project Parties .......................................................................................................... 7

SECTION IV: Grant Funds, Sources, & Uses of All Project Funds .............................................. 8

Project Costs ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Funding Commitments ................................................................................................................................................................. 8

SECTION V: Selection Criteria .................................................................................................... 10

Primary Merit Criteria ................................................................................................................................................................. 10

Safety ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 10

State of Good Repair .................................................................................................................................................................. 14

Economic Competitiveness ...................................................................................................................................................... 14

Environmental Sustainability .................................................................................................................................................... 15

Quality of Life ................................................................................................................................................................................. 15

Secondary Merit Criteria ............................................................................................................................................................ 16

Innovation ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 16

Partnership ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 18

Results of the Benefit-Cost Analysis ..................................................................................................................................... 19

SECTION VI: Project Readiness .................................................................................................. 21

Technical Feasibility ..................................................................................................................................................................... 21

NEPA Approval .............................................................................................................................................................................. 21

Engineering ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 21

Permitting ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 21

Additional Approvals .................................................................................................................................................................. 22

Financial Feasibility ...................................................................................................................................................................... 23

Ability of Pasco County to Fund the Project ..................................................................................................................... 23

Schedule ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 23

Federal Wage Rate Certification ................................................................................................ 24

Appendices................................................................................................................................... 25

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List of Tables

Table 1: Project Funding Plan ..................................................................................................................................................... 9

Table 2: Project Cost ...................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Table 3: Benefit-Cost Analysis Results (in millions of 2016 dollars) ......................................................................... 19

Table 4: BCA Results by Long-Term Outcome (in millions of 2016 dollars, present value terms) ............... 20

Table 5: Project Schedule .......................................................................................................................................................... 23

List of Figures

Figure 1: Project Location ............................................................................................................................................................ 4

Figure 2: Existing Population & Employment Density ...................................................................................................... 5

Figure 3: Future Population & Employment Density ........................................................................................................ 6

Figure 4: Crash Density .............................................................................................................................................................. 11

Figure 5: Crash Type .................................................................................................................................................................... 12

Figure 6: Crash Severity .............................................................................................................................................................. 13

Figure 7: Map of Interchange, Connected Cities, and Industrial Park ..................................................................... 14

Figure 8: Pasco County Mobility 2040 LRTP Cost Feasible Projects ......................................................................... 22

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SECTION I: Project Description

The transition from a rural community into an urban activity center always prompts exciting opportunities.

Transportation infrastructure is critical to promoting sustainable development while avoiding congestion,

environmental constraints, and a deteriorated quality of life. Pasco County, Florida is currently presented

with this opportunity to transform from a “bedroom” community into a sustainable, Connected City, and

seamless access to flourishing market areas is critical.

This TIGER grant application seeks to support Pasco County’s progress by the development of an

interchange on I-75 at Overpass Road between SR 52 and CR/SR 54. The project would result in the

reconstruction of the existing Overpass Road overpass at I-75 into a full diamond interchange. This

includes dual westbound to southbound I-75 turn lanes and a single eastbound turn lane to northbound

I-75 left turn lane extending across a new Overpass Road bridge.

The site of this proposal would provide critical access to the thriving Wesley Chapel market, recognized as

one of the nation’s top 40 fastest growing communities. This area offers extensive commercial,

residential, education facilities and industrial development, encompassing approximately 2,000 acres of

prime employment center infrastructure. Additionally, this project will provide access to the City of

Zephyrhills which growing an activity hub near the airport. The area currently experiences extensive traffic

and the existing interchanges are expected to fail in the near future if the current trends continue. This

proposal seeks to address this situation and improve current and future travel and access conditions in

the area.

The Connected City In 2015, the Florida State Legislature established Pasco County as a pilot community for its Connected

City Comprehensive Plan Amendments. This measure allows the County to implement an ultra-fast

communications network to attract new technology industries and sustain modern urban design

infrastructure for the community. The I-75 at Overpass Road Interchange project has been part of an on-

going PD&E study that would improve

access to the area of Pasco County selected

for the pilot Connected City project.

Additionally, the Florida Department of

Economic Opportunity (DEO) has certified

Pasco County for a 10-year pilot program

facilitating high-tech industry growth and

innovation through partnerships supporting

research, marketing, workforce

development, and entrepreneurship.

The site of the I-75 and Overpass Road

project connects to 1.8 million square feet

of development for utilization as an

Industrial and Office Park, employing an estimated 4,000 residents. This is a Job Ready Site and is

intended to support LEED certified technology infrastructure that can meet the needs of an innovative and

eco-friendly market. These elements lay the foundation for a successful economic center for Pasco

County, but also trigger tremendous increase in traffic along the I-75 corridor and the interchanges in the

area.

Pasco County Connected City Benefits

Facilitation of hi-tech industry growth and

communications: Smart Gigabit Community

Innovative partnerships and job creation:

Florida Hospital & Wellness Community

Promotion of Alternative Transportation

Networks: On-Demand Autonomous Cars

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Meeting Transportation Challenges

Since 2006, the East Pasco County area has

experienced a dramatic increase in

population and employment. This growth

has influenced the travel demand along I-75,

which is a critically important facility for

FDOT and FHWA. I-75 is part of the National

Highway Network and National Highway

Freight Network. I-75 is also part of Florida’s

Strategic Intermodal System (SIS), a system

of high priority transportation assets critical

for statewide and interregional travel. It is

one of the primary corridors utilized by over

60 million annual visitors to Florida in

addition to statewide and local traffic.

Deteriorating conditions along this section of the roadway have continued to intensify due to growth

impacts, specifically within the Wesley Chapel area.

An Interchange Justification Report (IJR) was completed in 2013 and funded by Pasco County with review

support from FHWA, FDOT Central Office, and the FDOT District Seven Interchange Review Committee.

The IJR was approved in April 2014 and demonstrated that the addition of a new interchange at Overpass

Road reduces traffic volumes at each adjacent interchange by 13,000 vehicles per day. The adjacent

interchanges at SR 52 and CR/SR 54 are also heavily utilized, generating substantial congestion and

unsafe traveling conditions. The new Overpass Road Interchange provides an alternative and reduces the

overall traffic pressure on the existing, over-utilized infrastructure.

The project is also expected to improve traffic operations, enhance connectivity, and improve safety on I-

75 and in the immediate vicinity of I-75. As stated previously, the area is currently experiencing increased

activity and development is projected to continue as more attention is given to this Connected City area.

With this increase in attention comes increased traffic, congestion, travel times, air pollution, and

increased safety challenges. These challenges are coupled with the current conditions already experienced

by the popularity of I-75 use from visitors, freight carriers, and nearly 90,000 residents commuting

through the region.

The project has made significant headway in terms of readying essential project components for

implementation. For example, as part of the PD&E study for this interchange, Pasco County submitted an

Environmental Assessment Finding of the No Significant Impact (EA FONSI) which is currently under

review by the FDOT Office of Environmental Management. The County anticipates receiving approval with

a Location and Design Concept Acceptance (LDCA) by the end of October 2017. Additionally, all required

permits have been identified and the land is set to be publically owned before construction.

The I-75 at Overpass Road Interchange is anticipated to play a significant role in the regional

transportation network by enhancing connectivity, safety, and traffic circulation. This project will divert

traffic from future over-capacity interchanges and also assist with emergency evacuation. The

improvements ensure mobility is maintained on Florida’s Interstate Highway System and accessibility to

existing and proposed developments is enhanced along the connected corridor.

Wesley Chapel Traffic at SR 56

3


SECTION II: Project Location

The I-75 at Overpass Road project

is located within Pasco County,

Florida, home to approximately

500,000 residents. The County is

located adjacent to the Gulf of

Mexico and encompasses

approximately 868 square miles,

with land consisting of 86

percent. The County is part of the

Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater

Metropolitan Statistical Area

(MSA), which is the second

largest MSA in the Southeast and

the 21st largest in the country. Lands within the project area include Connected Cities and a 100 acre

County-owned parcel currently being developed for a Class A Office and Industrial Park. The project area

is also designated as an Urban Service Expansion Area, in accordance with The Comprehensive Plan of

Unincorporated Pasco County. The long-term vision, as reflected in this plan, includes a significant

increase in residential, commercial, industrial, and employment land uses.

The proposed project is located approximately 3.5 miles south of the I-75 at SR 52 interchange. Figure 1

shows the project location. The Overpass Road Interchange is anticipated to play a significant role in the

regional network in terms of enhancing connectivity and traffic circulation, as the I-75 corridor serves as

part of Florida’s designated SIS network and connects major residential and employment centers

throughout the state. I-75 also serves traffic from the Port of Tampa, Port Everglades, the CSX Winter

Haven Intermodal Logistics Center and the Port of Miami. This new interchange will reduce traffic

congestion on the east-west arterials of SR 52 and CR/SR 54 by providing this essential connection with I-

75. Additionally, Overpass Road runs parallel or connects to four primary state evacuation routes (SR 52,

CR/SR 54, I-75, and US 301).

Located south of the project is Wesley Chapel – a census-designated place (CDP) in the County. This area

has become a major catalyst for growth in Pasco County since 2000. Due to the development in the

Wesley Chapel area, traffic volumes and congestion on I-75 with SR 56, CR/SR 54, and SR 52 as well as

Overpass Road increased over time. Figures 2 and 3 display the existing and future (2040) population and

employment densities.

Pasco County Connected City

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SECTION III: Project Parties

Pasco County is governed by five elected

Commissioners and an appointed County

Administrator, who has executive powers to

implement policies and procedures set forth

by the Board of County Commissioners. The

County government oversees a billion dollar

budget, 2,000 employees and more than

60 departments and divisions. The

Planning and Development Department

assists with guiding the County’s current and

future growth and is supported by an award-

wining team to ensure projects are strategically planned and efficiently implemented.

Pasco County Government considers the construction of the I-75 at Overpass Road Interchange a top

priority and is committed to providing all local funding to match the TIGER award. While there are no

other local funding partners for this project, there are strong non-funding partners which will assist with

promotion and advocacy. Letters of support from these entities can be found online in Appendix C. FHWA

and FDOT have participated in the review and approval process for project components including the IJR

and the PD&E.

If selected, Pasco County is prepared to work closely with the USDOT TIGER team to ensure the

administration of the grant funds is conducted with quality and optimum efficiency. The Pasco County

grant team will adhere to all TIGER management parameters and deadlines as well as incorporate the

project administration elements described in the graphic below.

Project Administration Elements

Clearly stated objectives and goals

for a successful project.

Detailed schedule with milestone dates

and the critical path elements defined.

Clear, concise definition of the scope

of services with responsible

individuals identified.

Communication path outlining protocol

for correspondence, e-mails, phone calls,

meetings filing, etc.

Organizational structure with

contact information for key

personnel.

Project specific quality control plan with

clear expectations for staff and consultants.

Pasco County Government

http://fl-pascocounty.civicplus.com/index.aspx?NID=2850

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SECTION IV: Grant Funds, Sources, & Uses of All Project Funds

The County is seeking a TIGER grant so that the design and construction of the I-75 at Overpass Road

Interchange can be accomplished on an expedited schedule as a design/build project. A design/build

approach will also help lower the overall construction cost of the project, increasing the benefit of the

dollars used towards it.

Project Costs The total capital costs are estimated at approximately $61.2 million in Year of Expenditure (YOE) dollars.

These costs include construction; right-of-way (ROW); Preliminary Engineering (PE); and Construction,

Engineering, and Inspection (CEI). The construction amounts include costs associated with maintenance of

traffic (MOT), mobilization, and contingencies. A detailed breakdown of the estimate can be found in the

IJR online in Appendix E. Table 2 details the cost of the project by phase (also refer to SF 424C in

Appendix A).

The costs for the required ROW were estimated for the proposed interchange configuration. These costs

were estimated using unit costs established based on potential future land uses for the impacted parcels

and were coordinated with the Pasco County Property Appraiser’s Office.

Funding Commitments Pasco County will be leveraging the local dollars from the municipal capacity in order to facilitate project

implementation and has been seeking additional grant funding to commit the entire cost upfront. The I-

75 and Overpass Road Interchange project will be supported by multiple local funding sources of revenue.

These sources include the Local Government Infrastructure Surtax (Penny for Pasco), Villages of Pasadena

Hills (VOPH) Tax Increment Revenue Bond, Interstate/SIS Mobility Fees collected in the East Mobility Fee

Collection/Benefit District, VOPH Tax Increment Revenues, VOPH External Improvement Fees, and other

County funding sources. A summary of this anticipated revenue is listed in Table 1.

32%

68%

Project Funding Sources

Federal (TIGER) Local (Pasco)



9


Table 1: Project Funding Plan

Funding for the I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange design/permitting, ROW acquisition and

construction has been programmed each fiscal year since FY 13/14 in the Pasco County Transportation

Capital Plan. Historically and continuing today, 100 percent of local resources are being programmed

and committed to this project.

Table 2: Project Cost

STANDARD COST CATEGORY (SCC)

CODE

TOTAL PROJECT COSTS

(YOE DOLLARS) PERCENTAGE OF PROJECT COST

Design/

Permitting $4.6M 7%

ROW $12.2M 20%

Construction $45.3M 73%

Total $62.1M 100%

FUNDING SOURCE AMOUNT

2015 Penny for Pasco $15,000,000

VOPH Tax Increment Revenue Bond $12,720,335

East Pasco SIS Mobility Fees $5,080,023

VOPH Tax Increment Revenues $2,665,895

VOPH External Improvement Fees $1,638,830

Other County Funds $4,994,917

TIGER $20,000,000

Total $62,100,000

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SECTION V: Selection Criteria

As mentioned previously, I-75 is a freeway designated on the SIS network, providing regional connectivity

throughout the State of Florida, as well as access to the business districts of Hillsborough County and

Pinellas County via I-275. An estimated 1.7 million trips per weekday have destinations within Pasco

County and I-75 is an integral part of the network that enables these trips. The future growth of the area

will increase the amount of trips along this corridor creating congestion and negative environmental and

quality of life impacts. The proposed project seeks to address this situation and divert trips from the

CR/SR 54 and SR 52 interchanges with I-75 while facilitating connectivity within Pasco County and the

Tampa Bay region.

Primary Merit Criteria

Safety The I-75 at Overpass Road Interchange

will promote improved traffic safety by

reducing congestion related accidents. A

safe transportation infrastructure is

needed for this growing area and this is

exactly the support this project offers.

The IJR analyzed safety impacts to the

proposed interchange. Measures from

the report demonstrate that the

interchange improves the condition of

the facility associated with heavy

westbound to southbound traffic. This is

accomplished by a grade separation for the movement which would otherwise require left turn

movements.

The vehicular delays and queue lengths at the adjacent interchanges of CR/SR 54 and SR 52 are shown to

significantly decrease. In the PM peak hour direction of travel for Design Year (2040), the queue back up

at CR/SR 54 northbound ramp reduces by 48 percent. During the same period, the queue back up at SR

52 northbound reduces by 35 percent. The additional detour route options from these interchanges also

enhance incident management capabilities and offers additional emergency management evacuation

routes.

In general, the I-75 corridor crash statistics are lower than that of the statewide average for the same

facility type, but when it comes to the adjacent interchange connected side roads, the statistics are

much greater. For the SR 54 interchange with I-75, the crash rate was 1.211 per million entering vehicles

(MEV) compared to the state average of 0.576 MEV. Figures 4 through 6 display crash data

summarized throughout the project corridor collected from 2012 to 2016.

The project is estimated to save $63.3 million in accident costs during a 20-year operational period (refer

to the Benefit-Cost Analysis documentation in Appendix B.)

Pasco County I-75 Car Accident


14


Additionally, the latest FDOT standards and best practices will be integrated into the design and

construction of this interchange. The County will work hand-in-hand with partners at USDOT and FDOT

to ensure the safest possible interchange both during construction and upon completion. Special

attention will also be afforded to two key parties of concern during construction, which will be the

construction team and the drivers passing through the work zone.

State of Good Repair The project is consistent with regional initiatives for management and operations of the transportation

network. The project is appropriately capitalized and would be maintained through sustainable and

ongoing maintenance funds programmed at the County level. The project is identified in the MPO’s

Mobility 2040 LRTP, as well as the County’s list of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) with funding already

supporting the IJR and the PD&E Study for Overpass Road.

Approved and planned developments in the area have been integrated into the travel demand forecasting

for the IJR. The proposed interchange has previously been shown as needed improvement as part of the

Pasadena Hills Area Plan and other Development of Regional Impact (DRI) and Master Planned Unit

Development (MPUD) projects. The interchange is expected to improve access to these land uses and the

Wesley Chapel area of Pasco County. It is also consistent with the Pasco County Comprehensive Plan.

Support from these activities and further coordination with other priority projects will also help with future

sustainability of the system.

This project will improve the condition of the existing transportation facilities and systems by relieving

congestion at the adjacent Interchanges by 13,000 vehicles per day. This will lead to improved safety and

enhanced system resiliency. If left unimproved, the adjacent Interchanges would degrade future mobility

in the area, constrain access to a key market and activity center, and reduce the efficiency of the

transportation network.

Economic Competitiveness This project will provide enhanced access for the

region’s visitors as well as workforce to the

growing job centers in the East Pasco County area.

Additionally, following the economic recession,

Pasco County rescinded transportation

concurrency County-wide. The long-term effects of

this decision will result in a significant increase of

residential, commercial, industrial and employment

land uses, which this new interchange will support.

The result of the project completion in a timely,

innovative and cost-efficient manner will enable

economic development to be advanced on at least

two sites in the vicinity of the new interchange.

Development of these two sites will be game

changers in the Tampa Bay region as they focus on

Connected City strategies. If nothing is done, over

the next five years, employment in Pasco County is projected to expand by 8,368 jobs. Aggressive

measures are needed in order to increase this number by at least 50 percent and come closer to the

County’s goals to diversify the economy.

Figure 7: Map of Interchange, Connected Cities, and

Industrial Park

15


Preliminary IMPLAN Economic Modeling has

estimated that at full build-out of both Connected

Cities and the Pasco Industrial Park, a total of 28,231

new direct and indirect jobs will be created,

contributing $954,000,000 in annual payroll, and

contributing nearly $1.4 billion in annual gross

County domestic product.

Environmental Sustainability Pasco County is very proud of the pristine

environment and will continue to mitigate unnecessary

impacts throughout the life of this project. While this

interchange project is required to meet transportation

needs and serve new and attractive communities, the

County will ensure that the asphalt footprint is

minimized and environmental and wildlife protection

is maximized.

The IJR concluded that a diamond interchange would

produce one of the lowest environmental impacts in

the area. Furthermore, the project is on a designated

hurricane evacuation route and will be designed to be

resilient against natural disasters. The proposed

project would also contribute to environmental

sustainability through reductions in air pollution and

CO2 emissions.

Also, the improved quality of the bridges and roadway

will minimize future maintenance needs.

Quality of Life Quality of life will be improved with the construction of

this project with resulting benefits being improved

connectivity and mobility. The I-75 at Overpass Road

Interchange will provide efficient and reliable mobility

to this fast growing segment of Pasco County. It will

provide the level of service demanded by the new

and cutting edge communities they will serve such as

Connected Cities. A high level of service will include

minimal travel delay and congestion and reduced

commute time.

Without improvements to this corridor, there will be a

severe threat to the continued viability of the economy

and the quality of life. User travel times will continue

to increase, the movement of goods through the urban area will be slower, and the deliveries of goods

within the urban area will be adversely impacted.

Wesley Chapel Photos

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Secondary Merit Criteria

Innovation Innovation is infused throughout the

development, administration, and

partnership of the I-75 at Overpass

Road Interchange project. Beginning

with the design/build approach, the

County is seeking to incorporate swift,

quality measures for optimizing

efficiency and resources. The design

team of this project will integrate

techniques such as

precast/prefabricated bridge elements

and systems as an economical way for

enhancing quality, reducing costs, and

advancing the construction timeline.

This rapid construction approach will

minimize the impact to the travelling

public on I-75 and Overpass Road.

Investigating the use of prefabricated

elements versus conventional

construction helps determine the

best balance between direct and

indirect costs while delivering the

project in a timely manner with

minimal public impact.

Innovative processes such as FHWA’s

new initiative, “Every Day Counts”, will

guide the team to accelerate project

delivery. The County is receptive to any innovative options/ideas as we partner with USDOT to deliver a

quality project in a safe and timely fashion.

It should be reiterated as well that the I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange project is an integral part of

the transportation infrastructure needed for the thriving and innovative commercial and residential

community that is known as the Connected City. As highlighted in the beginning of this report, the

Connected City is an anchor to high tech industries and cutting edge communications. The I-75 at

Overpass Road Interchange will be the first impression connecting these innovative communities with the

rest of the region. The expectations are significant for integrating this interchange into these

developments and will require innovative accountability and performance measures. Pasco County is

prepared for this by utilizing SMART goals.

Pasco County Connected City Rendering

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SMART GOALS

In addition to meeting County values of integrity, respect, honesty and innovation, the project team will

endeavor to achieve the following SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely)

goals.

I-75 at Overpass Road Interchange SMART Goals

Asphalt Quality - Perform field visits on the project to minimize surface and quality

deficiencies.

Asphalt Documentation - The Resident Asphalt Specialist shall review quality control and

verification technicians asphalt documentation for accuracy and specification compliance,

compile the lot packages and assist Project Administrators with determining Asphalt related

pay quantities and adjustments.

Change Orders - Change orders prepared for assigned contracts will be in compliance with

County requirements.

CEI Accountability - Perform quarterly CEI performance grades with written, meaningful

comments. Perform periodic quality assurance activities to ensure CEI is performing services

in accordance with the contract and adhering to the CEI established QC plan.

Daily Work Reports - Prepare legible, accurate Daily Work Reports that cover all pertinent

field activities and conditions.

Final Acceptance - All required processes and documents will be completed and received prior

to issuance of final acceptance. Final Estimates documentation will be submitted within fifteen

(15) days for streamline contracts and thirty (30) days for non-streamline contracts from final

acceptance.

Final Estimates - Completeness, timeliness, and procedural accuracy of Final Estimates

documentation will be ensured.

QC Reviews - Quality Control Progress Field Reviews will be performed and feedback

provided to project staff to ensure uniformity and best practices are followed.

Time Money - Monitoring of time and cost performance will be required and time and cost

issues will be proactively addressed in order to ensure avoidable cost or time overruns.

Safety - Promote safety practices to ensure employee proficiency with concepts from Job

Hazard Analysis (JHA) Contractors Maintenance of Traffic (MOT), Personal Protective

Equipment (PPE). Comply with reporting, accountability, training, and improvement safety

measures.

18


Partnership Strong collaboration will be essential during the development of the I-75 at Overpass Road Interchange.

The project is endorsed by both the FDOT and the FHWA and each agency has been intimately involved in

the review and approval of the IJR and the PD&E. The project team will continue to seek guidance from

these collaborators and involve them during the critical design and construction timelines of this project.

Pasco County has a robust plan for providing sustainable, local funding for this project and therefore has

only sought support from additional partners in terms of advocacy and coordination. These non-funding

partners include FDOT, Pasco County MPO, School Board, City of Zephyrhills, elected officials, private

entities and interested parties.

Innovative partnerships outside of the public resource community will also be secured for the

development of this interchange. The project has the potential to benefit the overall activity center, and

therefore, Pasco County will garner support from the private and business communities. One example is

the Wildcat Groves Master Planned Unit Development, which already includes donation of the ROW at I-

75 for this project.

I-75 at Overpass Road Interchange Partners

Florida Department of

Transportation

Pasco County School Board

Pasco County Commissioners

& Metropolitan Planning

Organization

City of Zephyrhills

Senator Bill Nelson

Congressmen

Gus M. Bilirakis &

Daniel Webster

Sonny’s Appliances

Wildcat Groves Master

Planed Unit Development

Metro Development Group

Crown Community

Development

Freemarr Development, Inc. Suntech Investments, Inc. Elizabeth Rodriguez &

Associates

Adrian Phillip Overpass, LLC Massey Partners LTD. Dairy Farm Corporation

19


Results of the Benefit-Cost Analysis All monetary values are expressed in 2016 dollars and discounted to year 2017. The period of analysis

used to estimate benefits and costs related to the differences between the Build (with the proposed

interchange) and the No-Build (without the interchange) runs from 2018 to 2041, including four year of

construction (2018-2021) and 20 years of operations (2022 through 2041). The analysis also assumes that

the growth rates in the regional travel demand, in terms of vehicle hours traveled (VHT) and vehicle miles

traveled (VMT), projected between the opening year and 2040 (the horizon year used in the regional

travel demand model) would continue through 2041. Table 3 summarizes the results of the benefit-cost

analysis.

Table 3: Benefit-Cost Analysis Results (in millions of 2016 dollars)

BENEFIT AND COST METRICS 2018-2041 TOTALS

DISCOUNTED AT 7% BEFORE DISCOUNTING

PROJECT BENEFITS

Travel Time Savings $89.2 $256.4

Vehicle Operating Cost Savings $23.5 $66.8

Emission Savings (Carbon) $0.6 $1.6

Emission Savings (non-Carbon) $1.0 $2.1

Safety $22.4 $63.6

Residual Value $5.8 $29.3

Total Benefits $142.4 $419.9

PROJECT COSTS

Capital $52.3 $62.1

O&M Costs $0.8 $2.0

Total Project Costs $53.1 $64.1

Total Benefits less Total Costs (NPV) $89.3 NA

Benefit-Cost Ratio 2.71 NA

Internal Rate of Return 17.3% NA

Breakeven Year 2029 NA

* The Benefit-Cost Ratio was calculated as: (Benefits – O&M Costs) / Capital Costs, in compliance with the

latest BCA Guidance for TIGER

As shown in Table 3, with a 7 percent real discount rate, the total monetizable benefits of the proposed

interchange project are projected at $142.4 million (in present discounted value terms) while the total

costs of the project (including capital expenses and incremental operating and maintenance costs) are

forecast at $53.1 million. This would result in a benefit-cost ratio of 2.71, and a net present value (NPV) of

$89.3 million. The corresponding internal rate of return (IRR) of the project is projected at 17.3 percent,

while the breakeven year would be in 2029.

A sensitivity analysis with respect to the discount rate was also conducted. With a 3 percent real discount

rate, the project’s benefit-cost ratio increases to 4.44, the NPV rises to $198.0 million, while the breakeven

year moves to 2028.

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Table 4 below presents the breakdown of total benefits by category, using the five long-term outcome

criteria set forth by USDOT: State of Good Repair, Economic Competitiveness, Quality of Life,

Environmental Sustainability, and Safety.

Table 4: BCA Results by Long-Term Outcome (in millions of 2016 dollars, present value terms)

LONG-TERM OUTCOMES BENEFIT CATEGORY RESULTS (7% DISCOUNT RATE)

State of Good Repair Residual value of capital investment $5.8

Economic Competitiveness

Travel time savings to roadway users $89.2

Vehicle operating cost savings to

roadways users $23.5

Jobs creation Qualitative

Improved land access Qualitative

Quality of Life Improved jobs access Qualitative

Environmental Sustainability Emission cost savings $1.6

Safety Accident cost savings $22.4

Total Project Benefits $142.4

User benefits for travelers in the region (travel time savings and vehicle operating cost savings) account

for a large majority of the total monetizable benefits of the project, and are included in the economic

competitiveness category. Safety benefits can be expected to be second largest broad category of

benefits generated by this project, followed by residual value (state of good repair), and environmental

sustainability. Although not quantified in this application, the project is also expected to result in job

creation and improved access to developable land, as well as job opportunities, leading to improved

quality of life.

Details pertaining to the methodology, assumptions, and additional results pertaining to the BCA of this

project are presented in Appendix B.


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SECTION VI: Project Readiness

The I-75 at Overpass Road Interchange will enable USDOT to obligate TIGER funds as required. The

following subsections discuss the project’s readiness to move forward with implementation. Pasco County

is committed to implementing this important regional project in order to proactively address current and

future traffic conditions along I-75. This project is an opportunity to utilize innovative transportation

planning methods to avoid reactionary responses and band aid measures for future congested conditions.

Technical Feasibility Several major technical milestones have already been completed to ensure project readiness.

NEPA Approval During the PD&E study for the proposed I-75 at Overpass Road Interchange, Pasco County submitted an

EA FONSI which is currently under review by FDOT Office of Environmental Management (OEM). The

County anticipates approval/LDCA by the end of October 2017.

Engineering An IJR is required if a roadway project proposes a new interchange on a limited access facility, or highway,

such as I-75. The processes to be utilized for an IJR are defined by FDOT and the purpose of the review is

to demonstrate the need for the project as well as its viability based on traffic, engineering, financial, and

other criteria. Additionally, FHWA regulates the addition of access points, or interchanges, along the

Interstate System. To be compliant, a project must meet the following requirements:

The existing system, even with reasonable improvements, cannot satisfactorily accommodate the

projected design year traffic demands;

All reasonable alternatives to a new interchange must be considered, including ramp metering,

mass transit, and HOV facilities;

The proposed interchange does not have a significant adverse impact on the operations and

safety of the interstate or on the local street network based on both the current and future traffic

projections;

The proposed project provides a full interchange with all traffic movements connecting to a

public road;

The proposed project considered and is consistent with local and regional land use and

transportation plans;

The proposed project is consistent with long-range systems or network plans;

The proposed project is coordinated with the area's development; and

The proposed interchange will be included as an alternative in the required environmental

evaluation, review and processing.

The IJR was approved by FHWA and FDOT, which indicates that the project is acceptable for engineering

and operations.

Permitting To implement this project the following permits have been identified:

US Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 Dredge and Fill Permit

Southwest Florida Water Management District Environmental Resource Permit

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Pasco County ROW Use Permit

Florida Department of Transportation ROW Use Permit

All required permits will be secured during the design phase of the project. The timeline for securing all of

the permits is incorporated into the design phase of the project. Any local permits required will be

prioritized and expedited.

Additional Approvals

Previous planning leading up to the development of this project began in 2003 when Pasco County

initiated the Overpass Road Route Study to evaluate capacity and safety improvement alternatives for

Overpass Road and connecting roads. The recommendations were to support a locally preferred

alternative and this was approved by the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners on April 26, 2005.

Following this, Pasco County completed an Interchange Feasibility Study in 2006 and influencing these

efforts, FDOT and FHWA approved the interchange as an acceptable opportunity for I-75 and Overpass

Road with the completion of an Interchange Justification Report.

The project has already received approval from regional transportation planning agencies. Pasco County

and the MPO have also identified the I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange project as the number one

priority project in Pasco County in the 2017 List of Priority Projects, approved on July 13, 2017. The project

is also included in the MPO Mobility 2040 LRTP Cost Feasible Plan (refer to Figure 8).

Figure 8: Pasco County Mobility 2040 LRTP Cost Feasible Projects

Figure 8: Pasco County Mobility

2040 LRTP Cost Feasible Projects

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Financial Feasibility The total capital costs are estimated to be $62.1 million for the construction of the project which will take

approximately 48 months. The financial plan calls for 32 percent TIGER funding support, with the

remaining portion being funded locally by Pasco County.

Ability of Pasco County to Fund the Project Pasco County’s fiscal, managerial, environmental, real estate, and engineering personnel have the

experience and expertise to provide strong project management and implementation of TIGER funded

projects. Despite significant reductions in capital projects over the past several years of economic

downturns, Pasco County manages a healthy budget annually devoted to transportation capital projects

and has several capital projects in progress during Fiscal Year 2017-2018.

If approved, the I-75 at Overpass Road Interchange will be implemented through a design/build contract

to assure accountability and serve as a single point of contact on the project performance. In addition,

USDOT’s guidance in the project ensures an additional level of project expertise and oversight.

Schedule Should a TIGER grant be awarded to this project, the I-75 at Overpass Road Interchange will follow a

schedule comprised of four major tasks with construction beginning in Spring 2019 and 100 percent

completion by Fall 2021. Following the award notification, the four major tasks include initiating the

administration plan, dispersing the TIGER grant funds, procuring design/build consultants, and

constructing the project. Table 5 shows the schedule activities for the program.

Table 5: Project Schedule

Project Activity 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Completion of NEPA

Design/Build Procurement

Design Starts

TIGER Grant Funds Obligated

Construction Starts

Project Open

Assessment of Project Risks and Mitigation Strategies

The following project risks and mitigation strategies were identified for this program:

Pre-Construction Delays (ROW acquisition, project design, necessary environmental reviews and

other approvals): The Pasco County has taken necessary steps to ensure there will be no risk for

failing to obligate TIGER funds. All project tasks including PD&E, design and ROW acquisition will

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be completed prior to construction. Once construction funds become available, design/build

method will be used for this program to expedite project delivery.

Construction Delays: The design/build construction method is optimal in order to mitigate

construction delays before they occur.

Grant Administration/Project Management: Implementing the Grant Administration plan will

clearly outline Pasco County’s project management approach, and non-funding partner roles in

outreach and coordination. Establishing these roles and responsibilities upfront avoids any

potential issues, ensuring that the funds can be committed and the project can be delivered as

anticipated.

Federal Wage Rate Certification

Please refer to the online Appendix A for a copy of the Federal Wage Rate Certificate.

Pasco County In Action


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Appendices

The following appendices are available online at: http://fl-pascocounty.civicplus.com/index.aspx?NID=2850

Appendix A

SF 424

SF 424C

Federal Wage Rate Certificate

Appendix B

Benefit-Cost Analysis Technical Appendix

Benefit-Cost Analysis Spreadsheet Model

Appendix C

Project Support Letters

Appendix D

List of Regional Priority Projects

Appendix E

Approved IJR

IJR Appendices

PD&E

Air Quality Technical Memorandum

Conceptual State Relocation Plan

Contamination Screening Evaluation Report

Cultural Resource Awareness Survey Report

Environmental Assessment

Location Hydraulic Report

Noise Study Report

Pond Siting Report

Preliminary Engineering Report

Wetland Evaluation and Biological Assessment Report

Traffic Noise Model Files


Deborah Bolduc, AICP

Program Administrator Engineering Services Administration 8731 Citizens Dr., Suite 320 New Port Richey, FL 34654 [email protected] Ph: (727) 847-8140, ext. 8756

Kevin Sumner

Sr. Project Manager Project Management Sunset Building 5418 Sunset Road New Port Richey, FL 34654 [email protected] Ph: (727) 834-3604, ext. 1621

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

APPLICATION INFORMATION: Type of Application: Capital

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