City Manager’s Office
Reference: Intergovernmental Agreement - E-470 Interchange at Sable
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Michael Martinez, City Manager
Prepared By: Marv Falconburg, Deputy City Manager
Date Prepared: July 7, 2022
INTRODUCTION / PURPOSE
Attached, you will find an IGA (Intergovernmental Agreement) for the design and construction of a new interchange to be located at E-470 and Sable Blvd. This has been a City Council priority and council and staff have worked in partnership with the E-470 Authority and Adams County to accomplish this goal. The Authority agrees to contribute an amount equivalent to 2/3 of the project cost. The City and Adams County will contribute the remaining 1/3 of the project costs over a period of years as design and construction take place. The current cost estimate is approximately 33 million dollars. The current timeline shows completion of the project by the end of 2025.
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA
● Recognizable and Well-Planned Community
● Strong Regional Relationships & Partnerships
● Strategic, Supportable Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
In the spring of 2020, a letter was sent by the City to E-470, with approval by City Council, requesting design and construction of the interchange at E-470 and Sable in the next five years. Since that time, considerable effort and cooperation has gone into the crafting of this IGA to accomplish this goal.
STAFF ANALYSIS
A robust transportation network in the southern portion of Brighton will be necessary to facilitate quality, mixed use development in the vicinity of the Adams County Government Center and the Adams Crossing development. In the late 1980’s, when these properties were annexed and zoned, there was a spacing requirement that placed the interchange on the Potomac Street alignment because it was half way between the interchanges at Highway 85 and I-76. Since that time, the city vision for the “Historic Splendid Valley” has resulted in the preservation of hundreds of acres of farm land that was previously shown for future development. Potomac essentially dead ends at the north terminus into preserved farmland. Design improvements have recently allowed accommodation for this interchange closer to I-76 than previously thought possible. In addition, up until recently, cities were required to fund the majority of construction costs for new interchanges. Changes in design requirements, and funding opportunities by E-470 have allowed the opportunity to move forward with this much needed transportation improvement, for the south gateway to Brighton. This project has been reviewed multiple times by the City Council as well as Adams County and the E-470 Authority.
OPTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
The City Council has four (3) actions it can take. It may:
1. Approve the IGA (Intergovernmental Agreement);
2. Not approve the IGA
3. Continue the item to a later, specified date if the City Council feels it needs more information to make an informed decision.
ATTACHMENTS
● City Council Resolution
● Draft IGA (Intergovernmental Agreement)