By Mark Wineka
mwineka@salisburypost.com
A federal air quality program could provide funding for sidewalks in Salisbury.
Some $500,000 might be available under the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) improvement program.
Dan Mikkelson, land management and development director for the city, said the N.C. Department of Transportation is providing a limited opportunity for 100 percent funding for “fast-track” CMAQ projects.
CMAQ projects usually require a 20 percent local match.
Congress authorized the CMAQ program in 1991, providing $6 billion in funding for surface transportation and other related projects that contribute to air quality improvements and reduce congestion.
CMAQ funding is available to areas, such as Rowan County, which have not attained federal air quality standards.
To qualify for the fast-track funding, Mikkelson said, a project must already be on the approved CMAQ list, and preliminary engineering, environmental documentation and right-of-way authorization must be completed by Aug. 29, 2009.
“This opportunity would allow us to avoid the standard 20 percent local match,” Mikkelson said in a recent memo.
Salisbury has seven sidewalk construction projects on the approved CMAQ list, which is not scheduled to begin until 2010. Mikkelson said he thinks the city could accelerate up to four projects to qualify for the fast-track money.
He recommended applying for four locations for new sidewalks:
– Statesville Boulevard from Innes Street to Jake Alexander Boulevard.
– The Salisbury Mall area.
– The Salisbury High School area.
– The area around the City Sports Complex at Ryan Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue.
“We have been looking for ways to make improvements adjacent to Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, and both the Sports Complex and Rufty-Holmes Senior Center would benefit,” Mikkelson said.
The third and final year of free city bus service on “Ozone Action” days also should qualify for the CMAQ fast-track funding, according to Mikkelson.
Salisbury City Council approved an application for the CMAQ funds Tuesday.