History: As part of the December 2020 federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation Act (CRRSAA), the Federal Highway Administration allocated $20 million in federal funds to offset revenue losses incurred by counties and cities. Since the Metropolitan Council Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) is responsible for administering federal transportation funds to local governments through the Regional Solicitation, the TAB was also responsible for administering CRRSAA funds to the local agencies.

On November 17, 2021, the TAB voted to distribute the $20 million in CRRSAA funds to local agencies via the state aid formula, which is used for the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund. This approach results in Hennepin County receiving $3,427,468 in CRRSAA funds that must be encumbered before September 30, 2024, to avoid jeopardizing their availability. 

County staff recommends using the CRRSAA funds for engineering and construction costs to upgrade the county’s pedestrian ramps and signals for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and provide accessibility, mobility, safety, and infrastructure improvements along county roadways, including upcoming Arterial Bus Rapid Transit (ABRT) routes. Specific recommended improvements will be presented in a future board request and will focus on accessibility, mobility, and safety improvements throughout the county.

Current Request: Approval to receive the CRRSAA funds in the amount of $3,427,468 into the Safety and Asset Management Transportation Supplemental Capital Activity (CP 2183300) and increase the budget for CP 2183300 by the same amount.

Impact/Outcomes: This action supports the county’s disparity reduction efforts and climate initiatives by improving accessibility, mobility, and safety throughout the county.