Hennepin County, MN Bicycle Capital Improvement Program (Bike CIP)

Type: Program

Status: Ongoing

Source File: Click here

Description:

What is the Bike CIP?
The Hennepin County Capital Improvements Program (CIP) has two funding programs for bikeway improvements:

• Bicycle CIP Fund
• Bicycle GAP Fund

The Bicycle CIP Fund was established in the early 1990's to assist communities with bicycle improvements based on a 50 / 50 cost participation. The Bicycle Transportation Plan developed in 1995-96 provided additional guidance through the establishment of a regional county bicycle system toward which these funds were to apply. Twelve projects have been funded using this program to date, and about $650,000 has been contributed to these projects by Hennepin County.

The GAP Fund was established in 2002 in conjunction with the Bicycle System GAP Study. The study was undertaken to place special focus on interconnecting various segments of bikeways where a short "gap" exists. Three projects have been funded through this program with Hennepin County contributing about $140,000 to date.

Eligibility
Eligible agencies include cities, counties, regional park districts and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT).

Local neighborhoods, bicycle advocacy groups or other groups with proposed bikeway projects must have their application sponsored by the city within which they reside. Application Process

To be eligible for Hennepin County bikeway funding, projects must qualify under the following criteria:

• The project must be identified as a future route on the Hennepin County Bicycle System Plan map or as a gap on the Hennepin County Bicycle Gap Map.
• The proposed project must meet all safety requirements.
• The project design must conform to the Bicycle Transportation Plan design guidelines and the Minnesota Department of Transportation Planning and Design Guidelines.
• Funds must be available from the program for which the agency is applying.

An application for funding participation must include; 1) a transmittal letter describing the proposed project, 2) a design concept plan, and 3) a cost estimate and amount of requested participation from Hennepin County. Applications are reviewed on a first come, first served basis.

A high priority is placed on projects that remove barriers to bicycle travel, close a gap in the trail system, or provide full accommodation for all types of bicycle riders. Cost Participation

General Items

• Funding is provided for facility construction, reimbursement of consulting design fees, and construction administration. Items such as bicycle amenities (racks, storage lockers), or special signage / striping elements are typically not eligible.
• County monies are generally matched 50 / 50 between Hennepin County and the city / agency.
• The local agency project contribution must be in hard dollars.
• There is usually a maximum County contribution of $100,000 per project or per community / year.
• Bicycle CIP and GAP funds are available for a 2-year period.

Multi-Use rails / Paths

• Right-of-way - 50/50 participation with local agency.
• Construction - 50/50
• Maintenance - 100% City/Agency cost
• Signing & Striping - 50/50 participation applies to uniform signing only. City/park agency is responsible for maintenance and any striping

On-Road Facilities

• Right-of-way - 50/50 participation with local agency.
• Construction - 100% county cost for shoulders (multi-use areas), 50/50 for dedicated bike lanes.
• Maintenance - 100% County cost if on a county roadway.
• Signing & Striping - 100% County cost if on a county roadway. Applies to uniform signing of bicycle routes. County is responsible for sign and striping maintenance.