The County often seeks State and Federal funding to augment local road funding, stretching local dollars to build improvements that would not be possible otherwise. The current opportunity is through the RAISE grant application administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Funds for the RAISE grant program are awarded on a competitive basis for surface transportation infrastructure projects that will have a significant local or regional impact. This program is referred to as the Local and Regional Project Assistance Program in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Applications must be submitted by February 28, 2023.  
  
Staff recommends submitting the San Pablo Dam Road Rehabilitation project for RAISE funding consideration.  
This project aims to repair embankment structural deficiencies and rehabilitate the road pavement along San Pablo Dam Road between Tri Lane and the City of Orinda city limits. At several locations, the roadway exhibits local slope failures at its eastern embankment and pavement distress along the travel lanes and shoulders.  
  
The existing San Pablo Dam Road runs along and to the west of San Pablo Reservoir along the former rail right of way of the California/Nevada Railroad. The roadway section within the project limits comprises two 12-foot-wide travel lanes, 8-foot-wide paved shoulders, and 3-foot-wide unpaved outside shoulders. The road is designated as a route of regional significance by the County, as it is one of the main connectors between west and central Contra Costa County. It serves as a commuter route for many County residents, connecting travelers from Interstate 80 in the west to State Route 24 in the City of Orinda, and it serves as the primary commercial corridor for the El Sobrante community.

If staff is not authorized to submit a grant application, grant funding will not be available, which will delay the design and construction of the proposed project.