The Capital Improvements Projects Advisory Board on Oct. 21 recommended support for two Surface Transportation Block Grant—Urbanized Area (STBG-UZA) applications administered through ACOG and ODOT: intersection improvements at Second Street & South Boulevard and at Main Street & South Boulevard.

Christy Batterson, Director of Housing and Community Resources and grant administrator, told the board the Second Street and South Boulevard application would be an 80/20 grant with ODOT handling project delivery if awarded; the board was told the project cost estimate is about $5.3 million and the city’s local match would be roughly $1 million. Staff said that without the grant the project would not move forward this year; if awarded, ODOT would take the project into final design and construction letting. The board voted to approve a resolution of support and a letter of support for the application.

Staff also presented Main Street and South Boulevard as a separate STBG-UZA submittal. Because that application is framed as a safety project, staff said it would qualify for full federal funding if selected. Project proponents cited pedestrian and school access near the UCO campus, the library and Russell Doherty Elementary School. The board approved a resolution and letter of support for that application as well.

City staff and board members said both intersections are included in the Edmond Mobility/Edmond Shift multimodal plan and that the projects align with voter priorities in the 2017 CIP for street repairs and easing traffic congestion. Board members asked about timing and integration with existing traffic management systems; staff said design is at roughly 60% for one intersection and federal schedule and funding cycles mean construction would likely occur in a later fiscal year (staff suggested FY2027 or FY2028 depending on federal letting). The board approved both items and authorized staff to submit letters of support and resolutions.