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5.
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| TRANSPORTATION, WATER & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE |
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| Information |
| Referral History: |
The call for projects for the ATP grant program was released on March 21, 2014 for the initial release of the ATP program. Although the ATP program and accompanying guidelines, goals, and rating criteria is newly released, the State and Federal funds are a consolidation of previous programs including Safe Routes 2 School, Bicycle Transportation Account, Transportation Alternatives Program, and several other funding programs packaged into one call for projects.
The competitive rating criteria for the new ATP program is similar to the previous criteria for this funding with less emphasis on proximity to schools and increased emphasis on converting vehicle trips to active modes of transportation by achieving the following goals:
- Increased proportion of trips accomplished through walking and biking.
- Increased safety and mobility for non-motorized users.
- Advance active transportation efforts to achieve greenhouse gas reduction goals.
- Enhance public health.
- Ensure that disadvantaged communities fully share in the benefits of the program.
- Provide a broad spectrum of benefits to many types of users.
Similar to the past, candidate projects are rated on their location in communities of concern, engagement in a community-based planning process, and potential to reduce injury collisions. Competitive projects must also demonstrate the ability to deliver the project within the required time constraints and competitive applicants must provide the California Conservation Corps with an opportunity to partner on the project during the construction phase.
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| Referral Update: |
The following candidate projects were considered and evaluated for competitiveness and the ability to deliver the project within the funding deadline. This deadline corresponds to the date when Caltrans authorization to proceed with construction must be achieved. This is a tight time constraint since processing projects through the federal environmental process can take up to 18 months. This timeline has led staff to consider projects that are underway with the NEPA process for the project or for a prior phase of the project. This timeline will also not allow for extensive right of way acquisition.
PROJECTS CONSIDERED:
Pacheco Boulevard Pedestrian Bridge/culvert extension east of Las Juntas Elementary Project - Estimated cost: $500,000 – $1,000,000, Project length: approximately 200 feet
This segment of Pacheco Boulevard is the last remaining gap in pedestrian facilities along the unincorporated portion of Pacheco Boulevard. The principal and parent community at Las Juntas Elementary School have requested this improvement since the secondary access through the adjacent residential neighborhood has been closed. Currently, students must walk on the road shoulder over this short segment across Vine Hill creek. The cost of the project will be high per square foot of improvements, and will require permits from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Regional Water Quality Control Board and Army Corps of Engineers to allow work in the streambed to extend the culvert.
Port Chicago Highway at Willow Pass Road Bicycle & Pedestrian Improvement Project – Estimated cost: $1.7 million with existing grant funds of $450,000 from Regional Safe Routes to School
The proposed improvements include closing a gap in pedestrian and bicycle improvements within the center of Bay Point. The increase in access provided for pedestrians and bicyclists links immediately to the Delta De Anza Trail which connects to the BART station within a mile of the project. The trail also links the project to schools on Pacifica Avenue. The project will also improve access to a bus stop, completing access to all major non-vehicular modes of travel. NEPA is already underway with Caltrans authorization to proceed through the Safe Route to School grant. The project would benefit from ATP funding by offsetting the large local fund contribution. The project is located in a Community of Concern and is supported by adjacent schools, the Countywide Bicycle Advisory Committee, and the Bay Point Municipal Advisory Council.
Camino Tassajara Bike Lane Gap Closure – Estimated cost: $4,000,000
Significant progress has been made over the last five years to construct a bike lane and shoulder on Camino Tassajara. This project proposes to finish the four remaining gaps north of Windemere Parkway. Completing these gaps in one extensive project would have a large project cost but represent a cost savings overall, compared to completion of separate NEPA processes for individual segments. Unfortunately, past experience with NEPA compliance for this semi-rural area of south County has proved to be very time intensive and this project would not be able to be delivered within the one to two year delivery schedule for the ATP program.
Pacifica Avenue Sidewalk Improvements – Estimated cost: $900,000
Similar to other projects considered, this proposed project would close the last remaining gap in pedestrian and bike facilities on Pacifica Avenue. Completing the proposed section between Rio Vista Elementary School and Inlet Drive will complete the full pedestrian infrastructure between Driftwood Drive and Port Chicago Highway. This project provides the active transportation benefit in a Community of Concern and adjacent to three public schools: Riverview Middle School, Shore Acres Elementary School, and Rio Vista Elementary School. Given an adjacent segment of sidewalk will be constructed this year and NEPA studies have been completed for that segment, staff is familiar with the NEPA studies required by Caltrans and can begin and complete these studies by the time a formal award for ATP recipients is announced.
Appian Way Complete Streets Project – Estimated cost: $2,000,000
This proposed project would formalize pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure along Appian Way from San Pablo Dam Road to the Appian Way Triangle. The project includes closing of gaps in the sidewalk and will address past pedestrian collisions by constructing bulb outs at major crossing locations to minimize the crossing distance for pedestrians and provide traffic calming. Consistent with the Complete Streets Policy, this project would assure the transportation corridor is accessible by all modes and all users with an emphasis on a pedestrian-friendly environment. This project is located adjacent to a Priority Development Area (PDA). At this time the project would be challenged to meet the project delivery constraints of the ATP program given the need to determine the complete streets infrastructure needs of the community. Staff will continue to work with the El Sobrante Municipal Advisory Council in moving the planning efforts forward.
North Richmond Sidewalk Replacement Project – Estimated cost $1,000,000
This project includes replacement of existing sidewalk, curb and gutter within the North Richmond PDA. The location is the area north of Market Street, south of Wildcat Creek, east of Fred Jackson Way and west of the railroad tracks in the vicinity of Verde Elementary School. Currently, minimal ADA access is provided in this area because the existing sidewalk is only three feet wide and the sidewalks are cracked and failing. The 18” parkway strip between the curb and sidewalk is an area of weeds that contributes to an appearance of blight. The proposed project will improve pedestrian access to Verde Elementary School, Wildcat Creek Trail and to the business area east of the railroad tracks. The school community has requested improvements to the sidewalk over the last several years and the project has been identified as a high priority for the Health Services Injury Prevention Division as well as the North Richmond Municipal Advisory Council. Although the project would not require permanent right of way acquisition, the efforts to obtain temporary construction easements to facilitate the construction of the project would be time-intensive and may not allow the County to meet the project delivery schedule per the ATP requirements. Staff will continue to work on a smaller segment of this project on Giaramita Street through a current Community Development Block Grant.
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| Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s): |
The Public Works Department recommends the following projects as candidates for ATP. If authorized to proceed, staff will prepare preliminary designs and cost estimates for the application package, as well as move forward aggressively with preparation of the NEPA studies in order to meet required project delivery schedules for the ATP program and demonstrate a “shovel-ready” project. A second cycle of ATP funding will be released in November 2014. Staff will continue to develop the projects considered for this grant opportunity and work towards project readiness for the next call for projects.
The two projects recommended (in no particular priority order) include:
• Port Chicago Highway at Willow Pass Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Project
• Pacifica Avenue Sidewalk Improvements Project
These projects are recommended based upon their ability to meet a tight delivery timeline and the ability to meet all the rating criteria to provide the most competitive applications for ATP funding. Staff recognizes that both of the recommended projects fall within District 5. Although staff concentrates on spreading grant opportunities equitably throughout the County, this particular grant program and timeline has resulted in the most competitive applications, both drawing from District 5 due to the tight delivery timeline per the new ATP criteria and satisfying the location within a Community of Concern.
As noted over the past years, staff maintains a database of past grant opportunities categorized by grant program and Supervisorial District. We will continue to monitor equity in grant opportunities.
It is recommended that the County submit applications for both of the projects recommended above which have been determined to be the most competitive for a funding award. Staff will continue to develop the remaining projects with the intent of providing more competitive grant applications in the future.
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| Fiscal Impact (if any): |
| The ATP program requires 11.47% local matching funds and awards may be any amount above $250,000. Funds received from ATP would be combined with other funds, such as Measure J funds, Area of Benefit funds, other grants, or local road funds. Grant awards augment local funds to stretch local dollars to more improvements than would be possible otherwise. |
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