5 a PLANNING MPO POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING www.aredompo.org Meeting Date & Time: October 16, 2024 at 1:30 PM Meeting Location: City of Laredo Council Chambers, 1110 Houston St., Laredo, Texas 78040 Meeting Link: tP/lardorsastcom/Ne Laredo TV: Spectrum TV channel 1300 AGENDA: RECD CITY SEC OFF I. CHAIRPERSON TO CALL MEETING TO ORDER 0CT1124810114 II. CHAIRPERSON TO CALL ROLL III. CITIZEN COMMENTS Speakers are required to fill out witness cards, which must be submitted to MPO Staff no later than 1:45 p.m. the day of the meeting. Speakers shall identify themselves at the microphone. Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker. No more than three (3) persons will be allowed to speak on any side of an issue. Should there be more than three (3) people who wish to speak on a specific issue, they should select not more than three (3) representatives to speak on their behalf. The presiding officer may further limit public on the interest of order or time. Speakers may not transfer their minutes to any other speaker. Comments should be relevant to MPO business and delivered in a professional manner. No derogatory remarks shall be permitted. IV. ITEMS REQUIRING POLICY COMMITTEE ACTION: A. Approval of the minutes for the meeting held on July 17, 2024. B. Presentation on the 2024 Transportation Management Area (TMA) Certification Review by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) representative, Kirk D. Fauver, with possible action. C. Discussion with possible action to provide a Letter in Support of the City of Laredo Colombia Solidarity International Bridge Expansion Project. LAREDO & WEBB COUNTY Page 1 of 3 AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION MPO POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA V. REPORT(S) AND PRESENTATIONS (No action required). A. Status report by the Regional Mobility Authority (RMA). B. Update and presentation on the 2025-2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). VI. DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS VII. COMMUNICATIONS VIII. ADJOURNMENT NOTICE INFORMATION: Notice of this meeting was posted at the municipal government offices, 1110 Houston Street, Laredo, Texas, at a place convenient and readily accessible to the public at all times. Said notice was posted on Friday, October 11, 2024 by 5:00 PM. The agenda and meeting information was also posted online at httpsl/www.laredompo.org/agendas-minutes. All meetings of the MPO Committee are open to the public. Persons who plan to attend this meeting and who may need auxiliary aid or services such as: interpreters for persons who are deaf or hearing impaired, readers of large print or Braille, or a translatorfor the Spanish language are requested to contact MPO Staff at (956) 794-1605, or via email at pavgll@c.lredo.lkus at least two working days prior to the meeting SO that appropriate arrangements can be made. Materials in Spanish may also be provided upon request. Disability Access Statement: This meeting is wheelchair accessible. The accessible ramps are located at 1110 Victoria and 910 Flores. Accessible parking spaces are located at City Hall, 1110 Victoria. INFORMACION DE AVISO: Un aviso de esta reunion ha sido publicado en las oficinas del gobierno municipal ubicadas en el 1110 de la calle Houston St., Laredo, Texas, en un lugar conveniente y accesible en todo momento para el publico. Dicho aviso fue publicado el viernes, 11 de octubre del 2024 a las 5:00 PM. La agenda einformacion adicionalsobre la reuniôn se han publicadotambién en linea en el siguiente enlace: https//www.laredompo.org/agendas-minutes. Todas las reuniones del Comité del MPO estân abiertas al publico. Personas que planean asistir a esta reunion y que pueden necesitar ayuda 0 servicios auxiliares como: interpretes para personas con discapacidad auditiva, lectores de letra grande O en Braille, O un traductor para el idioma espanol deben comunicarse con el personal del MPO al (956) 794-1605 o por correo electronico avgl@c.bredo.kus por lo menos dos dias laborales antes de la reunion para que se puedan hacer los arreglos apropiados. Material en espanol està disponible mediante una peticion. LAREDO & WEBB COUNTY Page 2 of 3 AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION MPO POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA Declaracion de Acceso a la Discapacidad: Esta reunion permite el acceso a personas en silla de ruedas. Las rampas de acceso se ubican en el 1110 de la calle Victoria y en el 910 de la avenida Flores. Los espacios de estacionamiento, para discapacitados se encuentran en 1110 Victoria St. Informacion en espanol: Si usted desea màs informacion en espanol O si desea explicacion sobre el contenido, favor de llamar al teléfono (956) 794-1605 O comunicarse con nosotros mediante correo electronico a avgledaredolkus POLICY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP: LWCAMPO Chairperson Honorable Tano E. Tijerina, Webb County Judge LWCAMPO Vice-Chairperson Honorable Dr. Victor D. Trevino, City of Laredo Mayor City of Laredo Representatives Honorable Ruben Gutierrez, Jr., City Councilmember, District V Honorable Melissa R. Cigarroa, City Councilmember, District III County of Webb Representatives Honorable Jesse Gonzalez, Webb County Commissioner, Pct. 1 Honorable John Galo, Webb County Commissioner, Pct. 3 Laredo Mass Transit Board Representative Honorable Vanessa Perez, City Councilmember, District VII State Representative Mr. Epigmenio "Epi" Gonzalez, P.E., TxDOT District Engineer Member at Large Representative Jed A. Brown Ex-Officio Representatives Honorable Judith Zaffirini, State Senator, District 21 Honorable Richard Raymond, State Representative, District 42 Honorable Tracy O. King, State Representative, District 80 AGENDA REVIEWED: n Beuphoa Alcalu Juan S. Mendive, AICP Fo Mario I. Maldonado, Jr. LWCAMPO Director Laredo City Secretary fill LAREDO & WEBB COUNTY Page 3 of 3 AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION LAREDO & WEBB COUNTY AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Item IV.A. A. Approval of the minutes for the meeting held on July 17, 2024. LAREDO & WEBB COUNTY AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES July 17, 2024 LIVE WEB LINK: tP/Brcrsastcomhe PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNEL: Spectrum TV channel 1300 I. CHAIRPERSON TO CALL MEETING TO ORDER Judge Tano E. Tijerina, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 1:40 PM. II. CHAIRPERSON TO CALL ROLL Graciela Briones, MPO Staff, called roll and verified a quorum existed. Regular members present: Honorable Tano E. Tijerina, Webb County Judge and LWCAMPO Chairperson Honorable Melissa R. Cigarroa, City Councilmember, District III Honorable Vanessa Perez, City Councilmember, District VII Mr. Jed A. Brown, Member-At-Large Regular members not present: Honorable Dr. Victor D. Trevino, Mayor and LWCAMPO Vice-Chairperson Honorable Ruben Gutierrez Jr., Mayor Pro-Tempore, District V Honorable Jesse Gonzalez, Webb County Commissioner, Pct. 1 Honorable John Galo, Webb County Commissioner, Pct. 3 Mr. Epigmenio "Epi" Gonzalez, P.E., TXDOT District Engineer CM. Perez, made a motion to excuse members not present. Second: Mr. Brown For: 4 Against: 0 Abstained: ) Motion carried unanimously. Ex-Officio members not present: Honorable Judith Zaffirini, State Senator, District 21 Honorable Richard Raymond, State Representative, District 42 Honorable Tracy O. King, State Representative, District 80 1 LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / July 17, 2024 LWCAMPO Staff present: Juan S. Mendive, LWCAMPO Director Graciela S. Briones, LWCAMPO Planner III Julio A. Nino, LWCAMPO Planner III Eduardo Bernal, LWCAMPO Planner III Adriana A. Vigil, LWCAMPO Administrative Assistant Others: Roberto Rodriguez, TxDOT Luis M. Villarreal, TXDOT Ramon Chavez, COL Engineering Jeffery Gonzalez, COL Traffic Juan C. Villarreal, COL Traffic Jaime Ortiz, COL Economic Development Guillermo Cuellar, Webb County Engineering Anthony Garza, Webb County Consultant Melissa Montemayor, WC-CL RMA/LJA Engineering Blasita J. Lopez, WC-CL RMA/LJA Engineering III. CITIZEN COMMENTS Speakers are required to fill out witness cards, which must be submitted to MPO Staff no later than 1:45 P.M. the day of the meeting. Speakers shall identify themselves at the microphone. Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker. No more than three (3) persons will be allowed to speak on any side of an issue. Should there be more than three (3) people who wish to speak on a specific issue, they should select not more than three (3) representatives to speak on their behalf. The presiding officer may further limit public on the interest of order or time. Speakers may not transfer their minutes to any other speaker. Comments should be relevant to MPO business and delivered in a professional manner. No derogatory remarks shall be permitted. IV. TEMS REQUIRING POLICY COMMITTEE ACTION: A. Approval of the minutes for the meeting held on June 20, 2024 CM. Perez, made a motion to approve the minutes of June 20, 2024. Second: Mr. Brown For: 4 Against: 0 Abstained: ) Motion carried unanimously. 2 LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / July 17, 2024 B. Receive public testimony and approve Resolution No. MPO 2024-11, adopting the FY 2025 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). Judge Tijerina, asked if anyone in the audience would like to speak For or Against, adopting the FY 2025 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). No comments For or Against were made. CM. Perez, made a motion to close comment period and approve Resolution No. MPO 2024-11, adopting the FY 2025 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). Second: CM. Cigarroa For: 4 Against: 0 Abstained: 0 Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Mendive, MPO Director, Made a brief presentation on the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) to the Policy Committee. Mr. Mendive, stated what that the UPWP was a federally required work program describing the transportation planning programs and activities to be performed by the MPO in a fiscal year. He stated that the UPWP could also be amended if needed. Mr. Mendive, continued by stating that the UPWP outlines all MPOS transportation planning activities funded by Transportation Planning Funds (TPF), which consist of FHWA Planning (PL) and FTA 5303 funds. He further stated that the Tasks outlined could require more than one year to complete and the funding would carry over from one UPWP to the next. He stated that the MPO Public Participation Plan required a 20-day public review and comment period for the UPWP, and that no comments were received at that time. Once the UPWP gets approved by the Policy Committee it is submitted to TxDOT for FHWA approval and due by July 315t. Mr. Mendive, also went over the UPWP Budget Summary. He stated that the total estimated Transportation Planning Funds (TPF) available for FY 2025 was $2,685,129, which consisted of $600,000 TPF estimated to be awarded in FY 2025. He also stated that there was an estimated carryover of $2,085,129 from FY 2024. CM. Cigarroa, stated that Mr. Mendive, mentioned to her that the MPO was taking advantage of the federal initiative program for the climate crises for transition to clean energy for a resilient future to show the Federal Government that the MPO was looking to invest in the disadvantaged communities and try to leverage those funds and find other opportunities. Mr. Mendive, stated that it was the FHWA emphasis area and one of the areas the MPO focuses on to look for funding opportunities. 3 LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / July 17, 2024 V. REPORT(S) AND PRESENTATIONS (No action required). A. Status report by the Regional Mobility Authority (RMA). Mr. Jed Brown, LJA Engineering, presented the following report as part of the packet: WC-CL RMA. July 2024 Status Report to LWCAMPO 1. Vision Zero Webb Laredo Safety Action Plan - The work began in September 2023. The RMA hosted a press conference on Feb. 29, 2024, at the downtown U.S. Post office grounds to publicly launch the Safety Action Plan and reintroduce Vision Zero, including the commitment and promote a survey. The RMA Board has adopted the pledge to reach zero fatalities and serious injuries on Laredo and Webb County roadways by 2040 on February 14, 2024, followed by both the Laredo City Council and the LWCAMPO Policy Committee both in March. A public interactive information session was held on April 23, 2024, at the Joe A. Guerra Public Library and was well-attended by the public, providing comments and filling out surveys. A Stakeholder Workshop with multiple public agency staff, stakeholders, and members oft the LWCAMPO Active Transportation Committee was hosted the next day in collaboration with the LWCAMPO at the City of Laredo Health Department on April 24, 2024. The bilingual survey closed out on May 31 with 574 responses total. The project team has compiled the responses and is working to incorporate the data into the report. On. June 28th, / the Vision Zero Webb Laredoteam hosted a booth during the 2024 Bike Rodeo and Summer Safety Fair. The team is collaborating with stakeholder committees to author the first draft of the actual action plan over the summer. Furthermore, a new opportunity to highlight WC-CL RMA's work to develop the Safety Action Plan has been approved by the Texas Trails and Active Transportation 2024 statewide conference panel to be featured during a breakout session on the September annual meeting agenda. Finally, completion of the plan is anticipated for December 2024 followed by a grant application for implementation funds in early 2025. 2. Vallecillo Road - The draft ROW parcel plats and strip map are ongoing and anticipated for completion in July 2024. Environmental studies are largely complete. The last section to be conducted is the noise analysis which is pending traffic volume approval from TP&P. The Traffic forecast modeling and report development is largely complete. The team submitted the traffic volume deliverable to the District in late June. The team is now preparing the specific deliverable to TP&P to be submitted in July. Upon approval, the team can complete the traffic report and the noise analysis technical report can be completed. The GEC has reviewed the drainage analysis of the project and draft report. The proposed geometry (horizontal and vertical) is complete. Utility coordination is on-going with all utility providers along the route. The draft schematic was submitted to the Laredo District on 6/28/24. The submittal of the 60% design of the Plans, Specifications and Estimate is scheduled to be provided in October 2024. The RMA is projecting a Fall 2025 Letting of the project. The RMA executed its funding agreement with the Killam Company on March 4, 2024 and is amending its Inter Local Agreement with the City of Laredo. The City of Laredo is continuing the development 4 LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / July 17, 2024 oft the ROW agreement with the Killam Company. As the project sponsor, the executed Advanced Funding Agreement (AFA) is solely between TxDOT Laredo District and the RMA. The RMA is also awaiting the AFA Amendment from TXDOT to account for the updated funding for the project. The projected execution of the amendment to the AFA is August 2024. 3. Vallecillo Overpass - The WC-CL RMA will not be managing the development of the Overpass design. TxDOT Laredo District has recently informed us that they will be developing the design of this project. The WC-CL RMA stands ready to provide information from the Vallecillo Road Project to TxDOT SO that the two projects' connections are well coordinated. The WC-CL RMA received the dgn files and traffic data from TxDOT to incorporate into the Vallecillo Road traffic studies, and the WC- CLI RMA has prepared a construction estimate for the proposed Overpass. $16 million has been provided by the MPO via Category 2 funds towards the cost of the overpass. The overpass has an estimated construction cost of $47,350,390, assuming the project lets in 2027. The goal is to have the Overpass project included in the UTP adopted in August 2025. 4. Springfield Phase IV - Similar to Springfield Phase III, the RMA has committed up to $1 million to the City to assist with the funding of the construction of Phase IV of the project from Hospitality Drive to Bob Bullock Loop. The sponsorship and implementation are subject to the negotiation of an Inter Local Agreement (ILA) between the City and the RMA. The RMA submitted a draft ILA to the City on 4/9/2024. The RMA has spoken to TxDOT, and TxDOT has agreed to construct the tie-in for Phase IV within their ROW: along Bob Bullock at their cost. The RMA will fund the construction of the City ROW section from Hospitality Drive to TxDOT ROW. The WC-CL RMA submitted the proper paperwork to commence the development of the Advanced Funding Agreement for this project on 4/19/2024. TxDOT has begun the process of funding the Category 12 = Strategic Partnership monies to be utilized for construction on this project. The RMA and the City of Laredo met with the TxDOT Laredo District on 6/17/24 to discuss the programming of the Category 12 - Strategic Partnership monies in the upcoming UTP. As a result of this meeting TXDOT LRD has informed the WC-CL RMA that this project will be included in the draft FY 25 UTP. 5. Concord Hills (Wormser Road/ Lomas Del Sur to Los Presidentes) - The RMA will sponsor and lead the design and construction of a new location 1.3 mile, 2-lane minor arterial roadway extension from Los Presidentes to Wormser Road/ Lomas Del Sur within a nominal ROW width of 90' in partnership with the City. The RMA has committed $1 million to the development of the project. The project will provide a parallel route to Cuatro Vientos and provide additional access to the new Laredo Sports Complex and the Municipal Water Park. The sponsorship and implementation are subject to the negotiation of an Inter Local Agreement (ILA) between the City and the RMA. The RMA is working with the City to finalize the construction cost estimate for the project and complete the ILA for the project. The RMA recommitted its support in funding on the project February 14, 2024, at the February Board Meeting. 6. North Laredo and Cuatro Vientos Transportation Reinvestment Zones (TRZ) - The 5 LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / July 17, 2024 WC-CL RMA hosted a TRZ workshop on July 19, 2023, to review the TRZ study and implementation process with the City.A second workshop was conducted on 8/28/23. The RMA hosted and conducted a third workshop on 4/4/2024. The RMA is awaiting execution of the ILA with the Cityto commence the North Laredo TRZ Study. The City notified the WC-CL RMA on 2/13/24 that the City will move forward with drafting and distributing the ILA to the WC-CL RMA and commence the project. 7. FM 1472 and Killam Industrial Blvd. Turn Lanes - The RMA conducted a TDLR inspection of the project. The RMA will forward the TDLR report upon receipt to the TxDOT Laredo District. Project is pending final walk-through, and final Close-out Construction Change Order. Project is 99+% complete. 8. Other Items: RMA is scheduled to conduct a Board meeting on 7/23/2024. CM. Cigarroa, asked if the recent auto oedestrian accidents become a data point for the Safety Action Plan. Blasita Lopez, LJA Engineering stated that there was historical data of crash analysis for that study. She also stated that it covered from 2018 to 2022 and there have been discussions about picking up the 2023 statistics. Ms. Lopez, stated that the crash incidents that CM. Cigarroa was referring to might be in the 2024 statistics. CM. Cigarroa, stated that there had been more auto pedestrian accidents and fatalities recently. She also stated that she understood that some of the accidents that had occurred recently would not be addressed in the Safety Action Plan since there were not automotive incidents. CM. Perez, asked if the Vallecillo overpass was fully funded. Mr. Brown, stated that the project was not yet funded. He stated that the Policy Committee had allocated $16 million of Category 2 funds which was a big portion towards the total of around $40 million. Mr. Brown also stated that they were not able to get the project into the Unified Transportation Program UTP for this year and that they were planning to get it into the UTP for next year. He further stated that while the UTP for next year was adopted in August of 2025 which would be the 2026 UTP, they would be working on the design SO they would not be losing time. Mr. Brown, also stated that they wanted the RMA to be a project sponsor but they learned from TxDOT the GEC General Engineering Consultant) they use cannot design both projects side by side. He continued by stating that the project would not slow down, while they wait to add it to the 2026 UTP. CM. Perez, asked how the project would be funded. 6 LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / July 17, 2024 Mr. Brown, stated the $16 million that had already been allocated is a portion of what would end up paying for the project and the difference (the gap) would be asked for from the state. Mr. Brown stated that it could have potentially been funded through the Category 7 funds, but TxDOT was able to come up with the money to put into the project from the Category 2 funds. He further stated that the rest of the money could be asked to be from Category 12 funds to cover the gap difference. CM. Perez, stated that it would be helpful to have some taking points SO that everyone is one same page about the projects, when time comes to talk to the Commissioners and Representatives in Austin and other places. She further stated that it would help not to get confused with all the projects. Mr. Mendive, stated that the Policy Committee does have the discretion to vote on how those Category 2 funds are spent. He also stated that the Category 2 funds could only be spent on on-system projects. CM. Perez, asked Mr. Mendive, if the Vallecillo overpass was going to be an on-system project. Mr. Mendive, stated that since it was an overpass at I-35 it will be an on-system project. CM. Perez, asked Mr. Mendive if the MPO could create a list of talking points on the projects and the funding. Mr. Mendive, stated that he could provide something with an overall view of the projects and the funding. B. Update by the City of Laredo Engineering staff on the FM 1472/Flecha Ln. Realignment (CSJ 0922-33-076) and Calton Road Grade Separation (CSJ 0922-33-093) projects. Mr. Ramon Chavez, COL Engineer, gave a brief general status report on the FM 1472/Flecha Ln. realignment and Calton Road grade separation projects. Mr. Chavez, started off with stating that for the realignment of Flecha Ln/Las Cruces drive along FM. 1472 he was pleased to inform that 90% plans had been submitted to TXDOT the week before. He stated that TxDOT would be providing preliminary comments on the plans and in the next 60 days which would be for around mid-September 17 as the date to submit the 100% plans to TXDOT for final review. Mr. Chavez, also stated that the original estimated cost was for $4,887,150.45 and there was a funding gap of $3,637,150.45, which the City of Laredo was looking into identifying additional funding to cover the gap before letting which was estimated to be for May 2025. CM. Perez, stated that she noticed the project was coming up for Budget. She asked if they were planning for bonding out. 7 LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / July 17, 2024 Mr. Chavez, stated that as far as he knows they would be going after a State Infrastructure Bank SIB Loan to try and fund both of the funding gaps on the projects. CM. Perez, asked Mr. Chavez how long had the projects been in the works. Mr. Chavez, stated that both of the projects went back to 2012. CM. Perez, stated that the long they are put off the more expensive the projects would be. Mr. Chavez, shared a status report on the Calton Rd. grade separation and roadway widening. He stated that they would be submitting the final 100% plans to TxDOT and to Union Pacific on July 26th. He further stated that the review process from both TxDOT and Union Pacific would begin. He also stated that they continued to work on the utility's relocations. Mr. Chavez, stated that the project also had a funding gap of approximately $2 million which the City of Laredo was already looking into finding the funds for the gaps on both projects in the next couple of months. CM. Perez, asked if this project had also been in the works for around the same time of the previous. Mr. Chavez, stated that both projects had been originated together. CM. Perez, stated that there were TXDOT dollars tied into the projects that they could potentially lose if funds are not spent. Mr. Chavez, stated that both projects were funded together back in 2012 and they had those restrictions tied into. Mr. Chavez, also stated that since the letting date was getting closer they need to make sure they get the funds to cover the funding gaps. Mr. Chavez, repeated that they would be submitting 100% plans to TXDOT and to Union Pacific and they were hoping to receive minor comments. CM. Cigarroa, asked Mr. Chavez if he would be able to provide a map when he presents it at the City Council meeting, to envision the area. Mr. Chavez, stated that they had the maps available and they would present them at the City Council meeting. VI. DIRECTOR's COMMENTS Juan Mendive, MPO Director presented the following report as part of the packet: Director's Report July 17, 2024 8 LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / July 17, 2024 1. The federally required Transportation Management Area (TMA) certification on-site review has been completed. Thank you to the elected officials and stakeholders that participated. A preliminary list of commendations and ecommendations have been provided to the MPO staff. Once the complete report is provided, we will update the Policy Committee. 2. TxDOT's draft Unified Transportation Program is now available for public review and comment. The comment period ends on August 5, 2024. Public involvement information and the draft UTP can be found on the following link: nttps/www.txdotgov/prolects/panning/utp/utp-public-invyovement.htm! 3. As part of the 2025-2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) development, virtual stakeholder meetings with the RMA, El Metro, and TxDOT were held this month. Additional stakeholder meetings are being scheduled. 4. Texas Transportation Commission Meetings: July 30, 2024 August 22, 2024 September 26, 2024 Upcoming Texas Transportation Commission meetings and agendas can be found on the following link: tps/ww/dotgovou/esdernplesastransportaton: commissonmeetngdating-datesagendashtm. 5. Upcoming regularly scheduled MPO meetings: Active Transportation Committee - July 31, 2024 Technical Committee August 13, 2024 Policy Committee August 21, 2024 Mr. Mendive, added that the City of Laredo had requested a Letter of Support which was needed by the week before the Policy meeting, which meant it was not going to make it to the agenda for the Committees' approval. He continued by adding that it was similar to a grant they had applied for and the Committee had approved that letter in the past, SO they provided a similar letter to that and the Chairman, Judge Tijerina signed it and it was provided to the City of Laredo. CM. Cigarroa, asked if they would need to ratify that Letter of Support. Mr. Mendive, stated that they did not need to rarify it. He stated that it was just stated to make the Committee members aware of it. VII. COMMUNICATIONS 9 LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / July 17, 2024 Judge Tijerina, asked the Policy members if there was anything they would like to comment on. There were no comments. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Judge Tijerina, made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 2:04 PM. Second: CM. Perez For: 4 Against: J Abstained: 0 Motion carried unanimously. Juan S. Mendive, AICP Webb County Judge Tano E. Tijerina LWCAMPO Director LWCAMPO Chairperson 10 LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / July 17, 2024 LAREDO & WEBB COUNTY AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Item IV.B. B. Presentation on the 2024 Transportation Management Area (TMA) Certification Review by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) representative Kirk D. Fauver, with possible action. FTA-FHWA OBSERVATIONS FROM THE LAREDO AND WEBB COUNTY AREA (LWCA) TMA CERTIFICATION REVIEW June 25-26, 2024 COMMENDATIONS 1. LWCAMPO is commended on the development of its updated Limited English Proficiency (LEP) plan, the LEP was recently updated by the MPO policy board in June 2024. Training components of the LEP document were found to be a best management practice by the Federal Review Team. 2. LWCAMPO is commended on its infographics used for its MPO Primer shownon its website for purposes of educating new incoming MPO policy board members, technical advisory committee members, and the public on the "3-C" metropolitan transportation planning process. 3. LWCAMPO is commended on its use of GIS for visualization purposes for its internal staff-prepared documents and executive briefings. 4. LWCAMPO is commended on its public outreach and education processas partofi its TIP and MTP updates as part of the "3-C" metropolitan transportation planning process. 5. LWCAMPO is commended on its Active Transportation Committee to provide opportunities for bicycle and pedestrian multi-modal planning activitiesandinput within the metropolitan planning area. 6. LWCAMPO is commended on its outstanding efforts related to Bicycle Month and Back-to-Schoo: safety training for schools with enforcement officials in the Laredo region. 7. LWCAMPO is commended on its Title Vi, Environmental. Justice, and Equity documents including the on-line Title VI complaint datâbaseand social media outreach procedures as provided on the MPO's current webpage. The Federal Review Team acknowledges that no Title VI complaints have ever been filed within the MPO's metropoltanplanning area over the many years. 8. LWCAMPO staff are reçognized for theirbi-lingual abilities to communicate in written and spoken English and Spanish speaking community members, in many cases the documents posted on the MPO's website were found to be shown in both languages for better public dissemination purposes. 9. LWCAMPO is commended on its preliminary use of the FHWA HQ's STEAP and CEJST (Justice 40) tools developedfor equity and Justice 40 purposes in the metropolitan planning process. We encourage the use oft these GIS-based tools for the update of the 2050 MTP later this calendar year. 10. LWCAMPOis commended on the use of pertormance measures effectiveness (MOES) for purposes of tracking its public involvement and outreach activities. Tracking of resolutions to public stakeholder questions were found to be commendable by the Federal Review Team. 11. LWCAMPO is commended on its efforts to fund complete streets planning within its metropolitan planning efforts, using a 2.5% (or higher) set-aside from PL funds available by fiscal year to the MPO. 12. LWCAMPO is commended on its efforts related to Vision Zero, in conjunction with its MPO policy board and City of Laredo/Webb County. The LWCAMPO could consider development of GIS maps of high-accident locations within the MPO planning area to show hot spots in the region for its 2050 MTP update. 58 13. LWCAMPO is commended on its efforts related to identifying and planning highway safety improvements as part of the State Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) and Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). 14. LWCAMPO is commended for its use of additional points for equity-related scoring purposes for proposed Transportation Alternative Set-aside (TASA) Program selections in FY 2022. 15. LWCAMPO is commended for its efforts to document PM-1 (Safety), PM-2 (Pavement & Bridges), PM-3 (System Operations), Transit Asset Management (TAM), and Public Transit Safety Plan (PTASP) performance measures and activities in its TIP/MTP documents. 16. LWCAMPO is commended on its work with the Regional Mobility Authority (RMA). in Webb County as part of the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) discretionary grant awarded for highway safety plan development. 17. LWCAMPO is commended on its efforts related to the joint workshop held for Vision Zero, Safe Transportation Advisory Committee, and Active Transportation Committeeto better coordinate regional safety planning in the metropolitan planning area. 18. LWCAMPO is commended for its efforts to develop MTP/TIP project priority scoring criteria for highway safety-related improvements based upon CRIS and other relevant planning data sources. 19. LWCAMPO is commended on its joint efforts with TxDOT TPP (TravelModeling Section) to develop high and low traffic growth data and demographic scenario projections as part of its recently updated travel demand model (TDM) developed in time forthe 2050 MTP due in early 2025. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. LWCAMPO is encouraged to update its 2022 Public Participation Plan (PPP) to incorporate new BIL Act list of interagency stakeholders including regional public housing authorities. 2. LWCAMPO is encouraged to maintainits proactive participation with the international port-of- entry and freight planning efforts as partof its metropolitan planning process, in conjunction with Mexican cross-border states, TxDOT, city/county, and other federal agencies. 3. LWCAMPO may consider adding the FHWA and FTA Region VI to its mission statement as federal government partners as part of its 2050 MTP update due in January 2025. 4. LWCAMPO is encouraged to include its CMP results identified for both highway and transit congestiont relief projects selected as part of the project selection process. The CMP projects selected for TIP/MTP implementation could include both highway and transit-related improvements to showhow the PM-3 operational targets will be as part of TIP/MTP updates. 5. LWCAMPO is encouraged to update its 2024 Congestion Management Process (CMP) as part of its next 2050 MTP update, to document how strategies and projects will be selected during the MTP/TIP development process. 6. LWCAMPO is recommended to update its MTP/TIP project selection procedures to account for equity and EJ concerns in the transportation planning process. 7. LWCAMPO is recommended to consider potential free FHWA Resource training workshops and peer exchanges associated with civil rights, equity, and Title VI planning efforts in conjunction with the FHWA Texas Division. 8. LWCAMPO is recommended to consider potential free National Transit Institute (NTI) training opportunities in the future on metropolitan planning topics as needed. 9. LWCAMPO is encouraged to develop a pie-chart to show racial demographics totals by ethnic groups protected under Title VI laws and regulations within its metropolitan planning area. 59 10. LWCAMPO is encouraged to develop Title VI, EJ-Equity, and Justice40 step-by-step technical analysis (using GIS Tools) within its 2050 MTP update and future TIP update/amendment documents. 11. LWCAMPO is encouraged to document its public participation efforts with zip code data and preferred language of stakeholder participants as part of the MPO's Public Participation Plan and LEP efforts. 12. LWCAMPO is encouraged to update its MPO Primer to include clear definitions of Environmental Justice, Equity, and Title VI (Civil Rights Act) as part of its external and internaltraining documentation. 13. LWCAMPO is encouraged to incorporate methodologies from the new FHWA HQ's publication (2023) on meaningful MPO public participation procedures that include best management practices (BMPS) from around the Nation. 14. LWCAMPO is encouraged to show GIS maps of highly congested freight and passenger traffic routes with correlations to high accident locations (HALS) within the metropolitan planning area. 15. LWCAMPO is encouraged to map out in ArcGIS thematic layers illustrating where Title VI and Disadvantaged Community Areas are in relation to proposed highway and transit investments within the TIP and 2050 MTP update. 16. The LWCAMPO is encouraged to use of EPA's NEPAssist (Scréening Tool) developed for your region, as available and appropriate,for, purposes of addressing environmental resources, sensitive natural habitat and regions, wetlands, and potential mitigation strategies within the 25-year MTP update due in early January 2025. (Website to this tool is: NEPAssist I US EPA). 17. The LWCAMPO is encouraged to address the inçoming revenues and outgoing expenditures associated with State & local public agency's S maintenance & operation (M&O) costs for both highway and transit modesover a 25-year period of the 2050 MTP update within its financial plan section. 18. The LWCAMPO is encouraged to present its newly formed TIP/MTP project selection criteria and equity analysis procèss with other interested MPOS within the State of Texas as part of TEMPO quarterly meetings. 19. The LWCAMPO is encouraged to ensure that the highway safety action plan to be developed by the RMA under SS4A be shown on the LWCAMPO's website under an easily identifiable safety link ort tab, perhapsinclude other highway safety planning documents and the MPO policy board's adopted resolution related to their support of Vision Zero efforts. 20. The LWCAMPO is encouraged to use the most recently updated FHWA HQ's Freight Analysis Framework (FAF) model to run the freight flows generated at the major Laredo Ports-of-Entry (POES) to other destinations located throughout the United States. The results of FAF could be shown in the freight section of the 2050 MTP. 21. The LWCAMPO is encouraged to coordinate with TxDOT TPP (Systems Planning) to set up training workshops associated with the Congestion Management Process (CMP) prior to the adoption of the next 2050 MTP update. This effort could be arranged with the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) and the TxDOT TPP planning representative. 60 22. The LWCAMPO is encouraged to work with TxDOT TPP freight section to develop international border and freight fact sheets with information and graphics to identify the City of Laredo as a prominent point-of-entry and international border crossing. 23. The LWCAMPO is encouraged to coordinate with the TxDOT TPP freight section to ensure that relevant freight studies, traffic information, data, and truck parking studies are shared continuously and transparently to avoid any duplication of efforts between the MPO and TxDOT TPP. - - - - - a GP - / A 61 LAREDO & WEBB COUNTY AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Item IV.C. C. Discussion with possible action to provide a Letter in Support of the City of Laredo Colombia Solidarity International Bridge Expansion Project. LAREDO & WEBB COUNTY & AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION October 16, 2024 Max Hamilton Director Office of Mexican Affairs WHA/MEX Room 3924 Department of State 2201 C Street NW Washington, DC 20520 Dear Mr. Hamilton: On behalf of the Laredo and Webb County Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (LWCAMPO), I am writing to expresses our support of the City of Laredo, Texas, and its Colombia Solidarity International Bridge Expansion Project. This project is a key component of the city's long-term plan for Port Laredo and to make cross-border trade more efficient. Port Laredo is United States' foremost commercial crossing ranking #1 by value of all the nation's 450-plus airports, seaports, and border crossings. Two-way trade in 2023 was $320 billion, a 7% increase over 2022. Port. Laredo clearlyi 1s ofvital importance to the economies ofthe United States, and Mexico as well. Currently more than 10,000 trucks Cross through Port Laredo in both directions every workday. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement has increased the urgency of ensuring Port Laredo has the capacity to remain agile and stay competitive. Port Laredo has two commercial vehicle bridges, the World Trade Bridge and the Colombia Solidarity International Bridge. The World Trade Bridge is the #1 commercial crossing on the U.S.-Mexico Border and the Colombia Solidarity International Bridge consistently ranks #3. The Colombia Solidarity International Bridge Expansion Project will construct a new southbound commercial bridge span and a new northbound commercial bridge span, which will free up the existing bridge to handle northbound FAST commercial vehicles and over-width traffic while also providing additional dedicated lanes for non-commercial vehicles and buses. The Cityi is partnering with local, state, and federal domestic agencies to expand the throughput of Port Laredo's! bridges, Ports ofEntry, and transportation system. These efforts include: The World Trade Bridge FAST Lanes Relocation Project; the World Trade Bridge Expansion Project; hundreds of millions of dollars of transportation projects; and a multitude of private sector projects that support cross-border trade. The Colombia Solidarity International Bridge Expansion Project is the next logical step in this comprehensive and crucial modernization program to keep up with the growth of trade at Port Laredo. Internationally, Mexico is Texas' and the United States' largest trading partner in 2023. The City ofLaredo sees the evidence of this every day and has partnered with the State of Nuevo Leon, MX government. Nuevo Leon has obtained an extension ofi its concession to operate the Colombia Solidarity International Bridge from the Mexican federal government. Of note, Nuevo Leon is nearing completion of the highway from La Gloria to Colombia, MX. LWCAMPO supports and promotes the collaboration with its partners such as the City of Laredo, County of Webb, and other regional stakeholders. LWCAMPO's primary planning activities are focused on enhancing our region's connectivity, creating a resilient transportation system, and relieving congestion. Thus, LWCAMPO supports projects in the region that aim to build new bridges or add capacity to existing infrastructure that ensures efficient international trade. Through comprehensive planning and strategic partnerships, these efforts help enhance connectivity and resiliency of our regional transportation system, while strengthening the local, state, and national economy. Thank you for your consideration and support for the U.S.-Mexico border region. Sincerely, Tano E. Tijerina Webb County Judge Laredo and Webb County Area MPO Chairman 1413 Houston St. Laredo, TX 78040 Tel. 956.794.1605 Web: www.aredompo.org LAREDO & WEBB COUNTY AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Item V.A. A. Status report by the Regional Mobility Authority (RMA). Of Mo : WC-CL RMA October 2024 Status Report to LWCAMPO 1. Vallecillo Overpass - The WC-CL RMA will not be managing the development of the Overpass design. TxDOT Laredo District has recently informed us that they will be developing the design of this project. The WC-CL RMA stands ready to provide information from the Vallecillo Road Project to TxDOT SO that the two projects' connections are well coordinated. The WC-CL RMA received the .dgn files and traffic data from TxDOT to incorporate into the Vallecillo Road traffic studies, and the WC-CL RMA has prepared a construction estimate for the proposed Overpass. $16 million has been provided by the MPO via Category 2 funds towards the cost of the overpass. The overpass has an estimated construction cost of $47,350,390, assuming the project lets in 2027. The goal is to have the Overpass project included in the UTP adopted in August 2025. 2. Springfield Phase IV - Similar to Springfield Phase III, the RMA has committed up to $1 million to the City to assist with the funding of the construction of Phase IV of the project from Hospitality Drive to Bob Bullock Loop. The sponsorship and implementation are subject to the negotiation of an Inter Local Agreement (ILA) between the City and the RMA. The RMA submitted a draft ILA to the City on 4/9/2024. The RMA originally intended to utilize the Category 12 Strategic Partnership dollars for the funding of the project. The RMA has decided to proceed for the construction of this project utilizing the RMA Vehicle Registration Fees. The ILA between the City and the RMA was executed on 9/9/2024. 3. Concord Hills (Wormser Road/ Lomas Del Sur to Los Presidentes) - The RMA has committed $1 million to the development of a new location 1.3 mile, 2-lane minor arterial roadway extension from Los Presidentes to Wormser Road/ Lomas Del Sur within a nominal ROW width of 90' in partnership with the City. The project will provide a parallel route to Cuatro Vientos and provide additional access to the new Laredo Sports Complex and the Municipal Water Park. The sponsorship and implementation are subject to the negotiation of an Inter Local Agreement (ILA) between the City and the RMA. The RMA is working with the City and the property owners for the donation of the ROW and the finalization of the construction cost estimate for the project. The RMA recommitted its support in funding on the project February 14, 2024, at the February Board Meeting. 4. North Laredo and Cuatro Vientos Transportation Reinvestment Zones (TRZ) : The RMA is awaiting execution of the ILA with the City_to commence the North Laredo TRZ Study. The City notified the WC-CL RMA on 2/13/24 that the City will move forward with drafting and distributing the ILA to the WC-CL RMA and commence the project. Regarding the Cuatro Vientos TRZ, the City would like to commence the process of implementing the TRZ with support from the WC-CL RMA. The RMA and the City will commence negotiation of the ILA to codify the agency roles for the implementation. 5. FM 1472 and Killam Industrial Blvd. Turn Lanes The RMA conducted a TDLR inspection of the project. The final change order was completed with concurrence from the RMA to TxDOT on 7/24/2024. Project is 100% complete. 6. The Vallecillo Road Project - See supplemental memorandum. 7. Vision Zero Webb Laredo Safety Action Plan (Safe Streets for All)- See supplemental memorandum. 8. Other Items The next RMA Board meeting in late October or early November. LA Monthly Report to the LWCAMPO from the WC-CL RMA Project: Vallecillo Road from FM 1472 to IH 35 SBFR Purpose: October 2024 Monthly Overview Report to LWCAMPO Date Submitted: October 9, 2024 The following items have been completed to date: The draft ROW parcel plats and strip map was completed and submitted to TxDOT and the City of Laredo on August 19, 2024. Comments were received September 11, 2024 and are being addressed. The revisions addressing comments were resubmitted October 11, 2024. The final ROW parcel plat is to be completed by the end of October 2024. Environmenta. studies are largely complete. The last section to be conducted is the noise analysis which is pending traffic volume approval from TP&P. The environmental team will perform the noise analysis when the traffic forecast data is approved by TP&P. The Traffic forecast modeling and report development is largely complete. The team submitted the traffic volume deliverable to the District in late June. TP&P provided comments in August 2024. The team prepared responses to the TP&P comments and these were submitted September 25, 2024. Utility coordination is on-going with all utility providers along the route. The draft schematic was submitted to the Laredo District on June 28, 2024. The GEC received comments from TxDOT in late July and resubmitted the 90% schematic on September 6, 2024. The submittal of the 60% design of the Plans, Specifications and Estimate is scheduled to be provided by November 27, 2024. Utility coordination is ongoing, and we are identifying locations where level A SUE is required. On September 26, 2024, the RMA conducted a successful public meeting with 43 attendees for the Vallecillo Road project at the B. Fasken Recreation Center as part of the public comments for the project environmental clearance. This exceeded the minimum requirements fort the environmental clearance of this project. Recently, the RMA received direction from the TXDOT Laredo District that the project will be cleared under a Categorical Exclusion as opposed to an Environmenta. Assessment. This is important because it advances the environmental clearance from the Spring 2025 to early 2025. Update to the overall schedule: It should be noted that the City of Laredo has informed the RMA that they would not proceed with advanced ROW acquisition for the project; thus, requiring environmental clearance completion prior to finalizing the ROW donation from the Killam Company. This directly impacts the anticipated letting date of the Fall of 2025 since ROW will not be available for the placement of relocated utilities. Another option to meet the letting date would be to let the project with a Utility Management Plan; however, this could increase the overall construction bid and exceed the current construction budget. To avoid that issue, the RMA supports the City's decision and will not mobilize utilizes to commence their construction until the ROW is in possession by the City of Laredo. 1. Once environmenta. clearance is complete, the City will proceed with the Killam Company in the 1 LA ROW acquisition. The ROW process is estimated to be complete by late Summer/ early Fall 2025. 2. Upon completion, the new ROW will need to be cleared for the relocation of the existing utilities at the intersections of IH 35 and FM 1472 ROW to the new ROW limits. ROW clearing and grubbing is estimated to last approximately 3 months. 3. Standard utility construction relocation time for utilities is nominally 12 months. Construction for utility relocation is estimated to commence in early 2026 and be complete by Fall of 2026. 4. Upon completion of utility relocation, the RMA anticipates approval by TxDOT for bid advertisement to be received in late 2026. Bid advertisement and letting is anticipated for the early Spring of 2027. 5. Construction is anticipated to commence in the Summer of 2027 and construction completion is anticipated for the Fall of 2028. Agreements Update: The RMA executed its funding agreement with the Killam Company on March 4, 2024 and is amending its Inter Local Agreement with the City of Laredo. The City of Laredo is continuing the development of the ROW agreement with the Killam Company. As the project sonsor, the executed Advanced Funding Agreement (AFA) is solely between TxDOT Laredo District and the RMA. 1. The RMA is awaiting the AFA Amendment from TxDOT to account for the updated funding for the project. The RMA is also awaiting approval of the AFA Amendment Resolution language passed by the WC-CL RMA Board of Directors on 12/11/2023 from TxDOT. The amendment to the AFA will commence upon concurrence from TxDOT. 2. The RMA and the City of Laredo will need to amend their Inter Local Agreement to define roles and responsibilities for construction of the project. The RMA will be advertising and constructing the project, and the RMA will require access to the City of Laredo ROW to commence the work. End of Memorandum 2 LA Monthly Report to the LWCAMPO from the WC-CL RMA Project: Vision Zero Webb Laredo Safety Action Plan by SS4A Purpose: September 2024 Monthly Overview Report to LWCAMPO Date Submitted: October 9, 2024 MSION ZERR WEBB LAREDO Work on the Safety Action Plan began in September 2023. The RMA Board, along with Laredo City Council and the Laredo Webb County Area MPO adopted a pledge to reach zero fatalities and serious injuries on Laredo and Webb County roadways by 2040 in February and March of 2024 as part of this effort. A Public Interactive Information Session and Stakeholder Workshop, with multiple public agency staff, stakeholders, and members of the LWCAMPO Active Transportation Committee were held in April 2024. The project team has been present at several other public engagement events put on by others and has been working to build a list of Safety enhancements to be made throughout the community and a list of actions that need to be taken toward that official goal to reach Zero fatalities and serious injuries by 2040. In early September 2024, a delegation from Laredo including representatives from the RMA, City, MPO, and LISD attended the Texas Trails and Active Transportation 2024 statewide conference and featured a panel discussion that talked about cultivating a culture of safety in Laredo. PROMOTING A CULTURE OF SAFETY & SHARING a THE RESPONSIBILITY - s ISION ZERS Another round of stakeholder and public outreach in October is planned, including Walktober Pedestrian Safety Month Movie Night on Thursday, October 17,2024, at Jovita Idar El Progreso Park featuring The Street Project. According to the film's site, it is an inspiring story about the global, citizen-led fight to make our streets safer. The film helps to underscore the "why" of any Vision Zero Safety Action Plan. The Safety Action Plan development timeline is on track with completion anticipated for December 2024. The plan will consist of digital and hard copy deliverable products including: A. Digital Data Dashboard residing within Vision Zero Webb Laredo Website B. Executive Summary C. Report appendices featuring: i. Laredo/Webb County Crash Data Analysis ii. Laredo/Webb County Systemic Safety Analysis iii. Project Location Prioritization Framework 1 LA iv. High Injury Network V. Safety Action Plan Policy Review Report vi. Safety Action Project List by Priority vii. Vision Zero Action Items viii. Equity Priority Area and Location Methodology and Analysis ix. Laredo Webb County Equity Focus Statement Report X. Laredo Webb County Safety Action Plan Financial Analysis xi. Vision Zero Webb Laredo Public Engagement Record The Safety Action Plan will outline 10 Priority Corridors, each with a series of safety improvements recommended, along with various Actions, Policies, and areas of additional study, such as a Bike Network Plan, Complete Streets Policy, and Safe Routes To School Plan for example. Capital Projects associated with the 10 Priority Corridors will have planning-level cost estimates associated with them as well as potential funding sources for each. These project reports were assembled through the efforts of the following project consultant team: LJA Engineering Toole Design Group Cambridge Systematics Able City Liquid Studio Group Upon final submittal of the Safety Action Plan to the RMA it is expected that other partner agencies will move forward with institutional adoption in January and February 2025. This is followed by a grant application for implementation funds in early 2025. Once the Safety Action Plan has been completed and adopted by the City and MPO, City of Laredo and Laredo Webb County Area MPO will be eligible for FHWA Safe Streets and Roads for All Implementation Grant Funds. Grant applications for the next round of these funds are expected to be out in Spring of 2025. As the Capital Plan materializes over the next two months, the specific projects to be included in the Grant Application will be identified along with a total Federal funding request, that will require a 20% Local Match. Working through the project consultant team, the RMA will prepare the grant application in line with the grant requirements and the Safety Action Plan. This will be done on behalf of and in partnership with the Grant Applicant who will be providing thew local match and ultimately building the projects. 2 LAREDO & WEBB COUNTY AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Item V.B. B. Update and presentation on the 2025-2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). October 16, 2024 Update on the 2025-2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) MPO Policy Committee Meeting Metropolitan Transportation Plan 2025-2050 Laredo & Webb Co. Metropolitan Transportation Plan 2025-2050 Laredo & Webb Co. Agenda Background on MTP Existing Conditions Public and Stakeholder Involvement Project Nominations and Evaluation Next Steps Metropolitan Update on the 2025-2050 Laredo MTP Transportation Plan 2025-2050 Laredo & Webb Co. MPO Functions Comprehensive, cooperative, and continuing (3-C) regional transportation planning for urbanized area with populations of 50,000 or more. MPOS facilitate the 3-C planning process, establishing a means for local governments to have input on how federal investments are made within their communities. MPOs are required to develop a Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). The LWCAMPO is the MPO for the urbanized area comprised of the City of Laredo, City of Rio Bravo, and portions of Webb County. Metropolitan Update on the 2025-2050 Laredo MTP Transportation Plan 2025-2050 Laredo & Webb Co. Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) Planning Horizon: 25 years Updated: Every 5 years Purpose: The MTP establishes the long-term transportation policy agenda for the region. The MTP outlines regional transportation priorities and identifies transportation projects to meet regional transportation goals over the plan's horizon, while remaining fiscally constrained. Metropolitan 255 833 Transportation Plan 2025-2050 Laredo & Webb Co. 255 Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA) City of Laredo City of Rio Bravo Portions of Webb County 59 (about 12 %) MEXICO 59 LAREDO Laredo & Webb County Area MPO's MPA 260 Laredo City and Rio Bravo City Limits Airport Waterbodies Parks 2.5 Miles Laredo & Webb County Area MPO's MPA Metropolitan Update on the 2025-2050 Laredo MTP Transportation Plan 2025-2050 Laredo & Webb Co. MTP Goals and Objectives Safety - Improve safety oft transportation system across all modes and for all users, and achieve zero transportation-related serious injuries and fatalities Asset Preservation = Maintain and preserve existing transportation assets and infrastructure to keep the overall transportation system in good condition 0000 Economic Vitality and Competitiveness = Sustain an effective and efficient freight network and expand access to economic opportunities in the region System Reliability = Provide an efficient surface transportation system that maintains travel time reliability and reduces congestion Innovation and Technology = Leverage latest research and technologies to enhance the transportation system Metropolitan Update on the 2025-2050 Laredo MTP Transportation Plan 2025-2050 Laredo & Webb Co. MTP Goals and Objectives go Connectivity = Develop an integrated and connected transportation network A88 Equity = Promote equitable access to safe and affordable mobility options, and avoid unequitable adverse impacts on communities 4 Environmental Sustainability = Protect and enhance natural, historic, and cultural resources in the region Climate Resilience - Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance resilience of the overall transportation system against extreme climate events o Inm Sustainable Financing - Identify responsible financing options that are sustainable in the long run Metropolitan 255 833 Transportation Plan 2025-2050 Laredo & Webb Co. 255 Existing Population 5 2022 ACS 5-YEAR GEOGRAPHY 2010 CENSUS 2020 CENSUS ESTIMATE City of Laredo 236,091 255,205 255,293 MEXICO LWCAMPO MPA 246,279 264,047 264,487 Webb County 250,304 267,114 267,282 Laredo & Webb County Area MPO LAREDO Waterbodies Texas 25,145,561 29,145,505 29,243,342 Airport 359 Total Population by Block Group United States 308,745,538 331,449,281 331,097,593 0 - 1,000 1,001 2,000 2,001 3,000 More than 3,000 2.5 Miles TOTAL POPULATION BY BLOCK GROUP Metropolitan 255 83 Transportation Plan 2025-2050 Laredo & Webb Co. N 255 FM3338 6 Population Forecast = Year 2050 FM3338 The MPO utilizes a Travel Demand MAINESROAD Model (TDM) to forecast regional growth. MEXICO 59 Population was forecasted from base year 2018 to forecast year 59 a7 Laredo & Webb County Area MPO 400 2050 by Traffic Analysis Zones Forecasted 2050 Population by TAZ CAREDO 0 260 259 359 A (TAZ). 1-250 20 251-1,000 People The total population is forecasted 1,001-1,500 People 1,501-3,000 People to 489,977 by 2050. More than 3,000 People 2.5 Miles LAREDO & WEBB COUNTY MPO FORECASTED 2050 POPULATION Metropolitan 255 83 Transportation Plan 2025-2050 Laredo & Webb Co. 2 255 FM3338 - à Employment Forecast - Year 2050 FM3338 The TDM is also utilized to forecast TIISRORD employment growth. Employment was forecasted from 59 MEXICO 59 base year 2018 to forecast year 2050 by Traffic Analysis Zones 1 Laredo & Webb County Area MPO 400 117 (TAZ). Forecasted 2050 Employment by TAZ CAREDO 259 0 People 359- The total employment is 1-250 People 20) 251-500 People forecasted to 187,780 jobs by 501-1,000 People 83 1,001-1,500 People 2050. Greater than 1,500 People 2.5 5 Miles LAREDO & WEBB COUNTY MPO FORECASTED 2050 EMPLOYMENT Metropolitan 83 Transportation Plan 2025-2050 Laredo & Webb Co. Freight Network LAREDO = MEXICO Laredo became the nation's top port Laredo & Webb County Area MPO Laredo City Limits 599 in 2023 with $320 billion in total 00 Park LAREDO Airport U.S. trade. + Railroad Rail Border Crossing TOFC & COFC Intermodal Texas Highway Freight Network Proposed Bridge IV/V Port of Entry 2.5 Miles LAREDO & WEBB COUNTY MPO FREIGHT NETWORK Metropolitan 255 Transportation Plan 2025-2050 Laredo & Webb Co. Truck Traffic Truck traffic contributes significantly to the AADT for designated truck routes within the MPA. MEXICO A large amount of the AADT of 1-35 and 1-69 Laredo & Webb County Area MPO is linked to truck traffic, reaching a maximum Waterbodies Park CAREDO of 20,565. Airport Port of Entry These roadways provide access to The World Truck AADT 0 1,000 Trade International Bridge, a port of entry 1,001 2,000 2,001 5,000 exclusively for commercial traffic. 5,001 10,000 - 10,001 20,565 2.5 Miles LAREDO & WEBB COUNTY MPO FREIGHT NETWORK Metropolitan 255 833 Transportation Plan 2025-2050 Laredo & Webb Co. 255 Safety and Security 9000 6 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 59 3000 MEXICO 2000 1000 LAREDO U 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 260 Fatal Injury (K) 13 11 15 22 17 Laredo & Webb County Area MPO a Suspected Serious Injury (A) 61 44 68 79 65 Airport 20 a Suspected Minor Injury (B) 570 430 647 701 605 Waterbodies L- Possible Injury (C) 882 659 739 703 738 Crash Hotspots (2019-2023) a Not Injured (N) 5666 4372 5466 6107 6057 - Unknown 377 303 370 359 269 Sparse Dense Unknown IN Not Injured (N) a Possible Injury (C) a Suspected Minor Injury (B) - Suspected Serious Injury (A) a Fatal Injury (K) 2.5 Miles CRASH HOTSPOTS (2019-2023) Metropolitan Transportation Plan 2025-2050 255) B33 Laredo & Webb Co. Resiliency - RET Planning Goal: Improve the resiliency and reliability of the transportation system and reduce or mitigate stormwater impacts of 59 surface transportation. MEXICO As part of the MTP development, analyzing - - transportation system vulnerabilities to a Laredo & Webb County Area MPO variety of extreme weather events, including High Summer Average Surface Temperature (F) > 110-112 high surface temperature events. 112-115 115-120 83 2.5 Miles HIGH SUMMER AVERAGE SURFACE TEMPERATURES Metropolitan Transportation Plan 2025-2050 Laredo & Webb Co. - - Public & Stakeholder - Involvement Technical Committee 33 & 0 April 4th (Introduction and SWOT Analysis) 8 83 Evaluation 3 27th R (Project August Criteria) I a W September 10th (Project Scoring Overview) E - I I Stakeholder Meetings EI Metro TxDOT 3 a - à 5 RMA & a 3 - Economic Development and Trade 6 N 1 3 % 3 and - Community Development Housing Agencies a 8 3 a Public Meetings Public Meeting #1 on May 23, 2024. About 40 attendees. Public Meeting #2 to be held on November 21, 2024. Metropolitan Update on the 2025-2050 Laredo MTP Transportation Plan 2025-2050 Laredo & Webb Co. Survey Transportation System Priorities, Survey Results The survey was launched at the first public meeting. Decreased congestion Improved travel conditions Responses collected May 23 through July 19. Better traffic signal synchronization Received 65 responses. Increased green infrastructure along routes Key Takeaways: Increased traffic calming measures Most respondents travel by personal vehicle and feel their Better pedestrian facilities travel times are long and congested. More multi-modal transportation hubs Conditions for biking and walking are perceived as unsafe More EV charging stations and require improvements. More dedicated bike facilities Increased ADA accessible options More Park-and-Ride facilties Improved public transportation (transit) Other 0% 25% 50% 75% Metropolitan Update on the 2025-2050 Laredo MTP Transportation Plan 2025-2050 Laredo & Webb Co. Project Nominations Metropolitan PROJECT NAME / NOMBRE DEL PROVECTO: Transportation Public Call for Project Nominations held August I Plan 2025-2050 I Laredo & Webb Co. PROJECT LIMITS/L LIMITES DEL PROVECTO: 30 through September 20. I I PUBLIC PROJECT NOMINATION FORM The Laredo Metropolitan! Planning Organization Received 19 project nominations total: (MPO) isi int the process ofu updating their Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). The MTP DEsGRPTOW/DEGRPONK isal long- -range transportation plan that will O 2 from citizens guide transportation improvements in the region over the next 25y years. The MPO is accepting public nominations for proposed transportation O 4 from the RMA projects of regional significance to be considered in the plan. Proposed projects may include highway, aviation, transit, bicycle and pedestrian O 13 from TxDOT I improvements. FOI R RN MA PUBLICAI DE NOMINACIÔNI DE I PROYECTOS I La Organizaciôn de Planificaciôn Metropolitana de Laredo (MPO) esta en el proceso de poner al - corriente su Plan de Transporte Metropolitano Please mail ore email forms to: (MTP). El MTP es un plan de transporte de largo Favor de enviar o mandar por correo electronico la I - plaza que guia los mejoramientos de transporte forma a: enla region sobrel los siguiente 25 anos. EIN MPO I esta aceptando nominaciones para proyectos de Laredo &Webb County Area MPO transporte propuestos con significancia regional MTP 2025- 2050 Update I para considerar incluirlos en el plan. Los proyectos 1413 Houston St, Laredo, TX 78040 propuestos pueden incluir carreteras, aviaciôn, Email: robertguthart@wspcom - transito.yn mejoramientos para ciclistas y peatones. Submit public project nomination form at thel MPO website at Ata.homalausdemmaoan, Envie el formulario der nominaciôn de proyecto publicoe en el sitio web de la MPOen htplhmslasompaae Please providey your responsel back to us September: 20, 2024 Porf favor envienos sur respuesta antes del 20 de septiembre de 2024 Metropolitan Update on the 2025-2050 Laredo MTP Transportation Plan 2025-2050 Laredo & Webb Co. Project Evaluation and Prioritization Updated project evaluation criteria: Objective criteria: Data-driven criteria aligning with the MTP goals. Subjective criteria: Criteria to align scoring with stakeholder and community priorities. Metropolitan Transportation Plan 2025-2050 Laredo & Webb Co. Next Steps Finalize MTP project list. Complete draft MTP document. Present draft MTP to Policy Committee Release draft MTP for 45-day public comment period. Hold Public Meeting November 21. Adopt final MTP. Thank you! LAREDO & WEBB COUNTY AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Item VI. DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS a LAREDO & WEBB COUNTY wY y AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Director's Report October 16, 2024 1. Microtransit Feasibility Study Update: The MPO is working with El Metro on a Microtransit Feasibility Study. The study is authorized in the FY24 and FY25 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and is being funded with the MPO's Transportation Planning Funds. Al kick-off meeting with the consultants along with MPO and El Metro staff was held on September 5th, 2024. We continue to meet every other week to discuss the project's progress. The study is scheduled to last approximately 9 months. 2. Potential State Designations for the 2024 PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAAQS): MPO staff is closely monitoring the proposed designation of Webb County as a non-attainment area for PM2.5. Non-attainment status will result in additional federal metropolitan transportation planning process requirements to help mitigate air quality. This includes additional analysis and requirements when programming/using federal funds for transportation projects within the MPO boundary. Our partners at TxDOT and FHWA are aware of this potential designation, especially considering many other counties in Texas are in a similar situation. From my discussions with these partners at meetings, iti is understood that guidance will be provided to any of the MPOS that will be impacted by the non-attainment designations. 3. Recent Conferences/trave: Attended by MPO Staff: attended the I-27 Advisory Committee meeting in Del Rio, Texas on September 19, 2024. I provided a brief presentation/update on the Laredo Webb County Area MPO's ongoing activities. Two MPO planners are attending the American Planning Association (APA) Texas Chapter Conference in Allen, Texas from October 16th through October 18th. 1 a LAREDO & WEBB COUNTY wy y AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION 4. Texas Transportation Commission Meetings: October 31, 2024 November 14, 2024 December 17, 2024 Upcoming Texas Transportation Commission meetings and agendas can be found on the following link: https//www.txdotxdotgov/abour/leadershp/texas-tras-transportation- commissonmeetngdating-datesagendashtm. 5. Upcoming regularly scheduled MPO meetings: Active Transportation Committee October 30, 2024 Technical Committee - November 12, 2024 Policy Committee - November 20, 2024 2 LAREDO & WEBB COUNTY AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Item VII. COMMUNICATIONS LAREDO & WEBB COUNTY AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Item VIII. ADJOURNMENT