ABAG has recently released their Cycle 3 call for projects for the FOCUS Technical Assistance Program. FOCUS is the San Francisco Bay Area’s regional incentive based development and conservation strategy that promotes a more compact land use pattern for the Bay Area by encouraging the development of complete, livable communities in areas served by transit and promoting conservation of the region’s most significant resource lands. The FOCUS Priority Development Areas (PDAs) are locally-identified infill development opportunity areas within existing communities near transit that have been planned for or are being planned for more housing.  
  
Through this program, on-call technical assistance is available to local jurisdictions for ready-to-go projects that will advance implementation of transit-oriented development (TOD) in Planned or Potential PDAs. The objective of this flexible technical assistance program is to support discrete planning projects that will advance implementation of PDA-related plans in support of FOCUS goals. Customized in-kind consultant assistance will be provided to local jurisdictions seeking to overcome specific policy or planning challenges to the adoption or implementation of PDA related plans.  
  
Applications are due March 2, 2012. The technical assistance services will be provided free to local jurisdictions by an on-call consultant to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). The maximum award per project is $60,000. DCD staff is considering submittal of two applications for technical assistance services.   
  
Contra Costa Centre Treat Boulevard/I-680 Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan  
  
The proposed project would provide a plan that identifies improvements to serve bicyclists and pedestrians using the Treat Boulevard/I-680 over-crossing near the Contra Costa Centre/Pleasant Hill BART station area. The Treat Boulevard/I-680 over-crossing is one of the main arteries into the Contra Costa Centre/Pleasant Hill BART station area from areas of Walnut Creek west of the freeway. The proposed project area encompasses the portion of Treat Boulevard from North Main Street (City of Walnut Creek) east to the Iron Horse Trail (Contra Costa County). The County/City limit boundary is staggers across the freeway over-crossing.  
  
The Contra Costa Centre/Pleasant Hill BART Specific Plan contains policies and recommendations that encourage improved bicycle and pedestrian circulation access to, through, and from the Specific Plan area. In turn, the proposed Plan would support and help implement these policies and recommendations.  
  
The County has received support for this project from the Contra Costa Centre Association, Contra Costa Centre Municipal Advisory Council (MAC), Walnut Creek Bicycle Advisory Committee and the Walden District Improvement Association.   
  
DCD staff would use technical assistance grant funds in combination with Transportation for Livable Communities grant funds through the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CC-TLC) to develop the Plan. The CC-TLC application was submitted in November 2011. A map of the proposed study area is attached to this staff report.   
  
Bailey Road/State Route 4 Interchange Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvement Project  
  
On July 1, 2010, the Board adopted the Bailey Road Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvement Plan and authorized staff to proceed with steps for implementation. Caltrans has drafted a cooperative agreement for proceeding with project development work to implement the Plan's recommendations. The project area is the Bailey Road/SR 4 interchange in Bay Point between the BART Access Road and Canal Road.   
  
The proposed improvements to the interchange would:  
  
1. Remove the north-side loop off-ramp and pedestrian tunnel;  
  
2. Improve westbound off-ramp at east side of Bailey Road to accommodate north and southbound traffic turning onto Bailey Road;  
  
3. Change the south-side loop off-ramp to a fully signalized T intersection at Bailey Road;  
  
4. Eliminate acceleration lanes to accommodate bicycle lanes and widened sidewalks; and  
  
5. Enhance existing pedestrian crossings at the BART Access Road and Canal Road intersections on Bailey Road.  
  
Technical assistance funds is one of the funding opportunities County staff is pursuing for development of the Project Initiation Document, which is a required step in the process to begin construction on the project. A rendition of the reconfigured ramps at the interchange is attached to this staff report.

If proposed Resolution 2012/79 is not approved, the County will not be eligible to receive technical assistance grant funds for these projects. Without the grant funds, implementation of the recommendations of the Contra Costa Centre/Pleasant Hill BART Station Area Specific Plan, and the Bailey Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Plan will require other funding sources.

The Contra Costa Centre Treat Boulevard/I-680 Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan will ensure future improvements to Treat Boulevard and the I-680 freeway ramps are more pedestrian and bicycle friendly, and safer for children. Technical assistance grant funds will also help implement the Bailey Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Plan which would improve the pedestrian and bicycle environment for children, including students attending nearby Bel Air Elementary School.