Resolution No. 2026-047 A Resolution Approving the Iowa Statewide Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program (TA Set-Aside) Application — H-1

|8 The purpose of the project is to provide a safer route to schools for children in an area that currently lacks pedestrian and cyclist focused infrastructure. The City of Tiffin is rapidly growing, and as the population increases the school district is shifting from a rural demographic to an urban one. From the U.S. Census Bureau, between 2015 and 2024 the number of school-age children (ages 5-17) increased from 594 to 1083 in the city. With these changes, walking to school is increasingly becoming an option for students as more are living within the city limits. Currently, to access the schools along this stretch of U.S. 6, students have walked or biked along the paved shoulders and used signalized crossings at Deerview Ave and Roberts Ferry Rd to cross. This section of U.S. 6 sees approximately 9,700 vehicles per day, creating hazardous conditions for those students walking along the shoulder. This project will create a separate path for students to use along U.S. 6, eliminating the need for them to walk along the shoulder. Along with the shared-use path, this project will create an underpass crossing U.S. 6, reducing the need for students to cross U.S. 6 at grade. 8. Improve Accessibility. What efforts have been made to go beyond compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 to ensure the proposed project will be accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities? This project includes 0.61 miles of 10’ shared-use path on the north side of U.S. 6, along with path connections to the nearby schools to the south and neighborhood to the north. The project also includes the excavation of an existing 12’ x 8’ box culvert that will be used as a pedestrian underpass. This underpass will provide a safe and accessible option to travel from the north to south side of the road without having to cross traffic at intersections. ADA compliant switchback ramps will be constructed at either end of the underpass to provide access, with frequent landings and handrail to keep pedestrians safe. 9. Long-Term Maintenance Plan. What arrangements have been made to continue operation and maintenance of the proposed project after the project is complete? For example, has a maintenance fund or an endowment been established? The City of Tiffin will maintain the infrastructure to be constructed as a part of this project. 10. Project Readiness. Is the project ready for development? Please describe efforts taken to prepare for developing the project. How has the project sponsor prepared for the proposed project by resolving any potential obstacles? Will the project proceed without delay upon award of funding? This project has been planned since 2008 when the 12’ x 8’ precast concrete box culvert was installed and buried under U.S. 6. The culvert already being in place simplifies the development of this project by limiting the scope mostly to trail construction inside the existing DOT right of way. Recently, in preparation for this project, a conceptual layout was completed along with an itemized cost estimate. The City has been in contact with Clear Creek Amana School District about the project to ensure any coordinated efforts required will go smoothly. Design of this project would begin upon award of funding to meet the above schedule. 11. Public Input Process. Please discuss the public input process that was followed and the extent to which adjacent property owners and others have been informed of the proposed project and an assessment of their acceptance. Also include discussion of any partnerships among local organizations and stakeholders that this project may help to facilitate or how these entities or individuals have contributed to the development of the project concept or have committed financial or other support to the project. The public input process for this project originally began in 2012 and 2013 with Resolutions 2012-64 and 2013-06 passed by Tiffin City Council to begin design and estimating for the trail connections to the underpass. Since then, City staff have been in support of the project. Recently, the City has been in contact with Clear Creek Amana School District, a significant stakeholder in the project, to gain feedback and coordinate the design to ensure the project will run smoothly once the full design process begins. A public informational meeting discussing the design elements of the project is planned for the first half of 2027. Invitations for this meeting will be sent to surrounding landowners as well as published in the local press and on the City website. During the meeting, the public will have an opportunity to share concerns and opinions on the project design, impacts, and proposed construction schedule.