Update on funding for Libbytown Roundabout and Franklin Redesign
Wes Pelletier
Hi all,
I wanted to share this update on the Libbytown and Franklin arterial projects I just got from Assistant City Manager Jordan. The news on Libbytown is, as expected, not great, but at least DOT isn't immediately scrapping it. Happy to forward questions, if any, along once they're collected.
Wes Pelletier
D2 City Councilor
Update follows:
Libbytown Project
The budget reconciliation bill passed by Congress earlier this month, and signed into law by the President, rescinded all unobligated funding for the federal Neighborhood Access and Equity (NAE) Grant Program which was authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act (2022). MaineDOT’s $22.4 million grant award for the Libbytown project was still in the pre-obligation phase and therefore falls under this rescission. As a result, we anticipate these funds will no longer be available to MaineDOT to complete construction of the project.
The $22.4 million grant aimed to modernize outdated roads and intersections in the Libbytown neighborhood of Portland. The major elements of the project include converting two one way roads to two-way access, construction of a roundabout, bike-pedestrian improvements, and improving highway access points.
MaineDOT staff report that there should be sufficient funding from existing federal and state sources to complete Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and move the project to shovel ready status. This will enable MaineDOT to position the project for future construction grant awards.
Staff are working with MaineDOT to gather additional information and formally confirm federal funding status for the Libbytown Project. We will be investigating alternative funding sources, including other federal infrastructure programs, state-level transportation grants, and local sources, as well as options to rescope the project or sequence it in phases.
Franklin Street Redesign Project
$2 million in federal funding awarded to MaineDOT to support phase 2 planning/design for Franklin Street may be in jeopardy as a result of the Trump’s Administration additional scrutiny on projects aimed at equity and climate. This grant award is from USDOT’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program which was authorized by the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (2021). City staff are in regular contact with MaineDOT to gather information on the status of this funding and work to ensure its protection.
Early planning for the Franklin Street Redesign Project was completed in 2015. In coordination with MaineDOT, the City is presently working to complete Enhanced Project Scoping (EPS) in order to arrive at a solid conceptual plan with community buy-in. The EPS phase budget is $375k funded by $150k from MaineDOT’s Village Partnership Initiative and $225k from City of Portland Impact Fees. This phase is ongoing with secured funding and will complete in early 2026.
The next step is to complete preliminary design which is planned to be funded with $2 million in federal funding awarded to MaineDOT from the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program along with $250k in state funding, and $250k in local funding.
We will prepare a more detailed report outlining the impacts, funding alternatives, and recommended next steps for review by the Sustainability and Transportation Committee at its September meeting.
Damon Yakovleff
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