The call for projects for the ATP was released on March 26, 2015 for Cycle 2 funding. The ATP program consists of State and Federal funds that represent a consolidation of programs including Safe Route 2 School, Bicycle Transportation Account, Transportation Alternatives Program, and several other programs packaged into one call for projects. Cycle 1 of this program was highly competitive with 771 applications submitted statewide and less than 20% awarded funding.
The competitive rating criteria for the ATP program emphasizes the following goals:
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Increased proportion of trips accomplished through walking and biking,
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Increased safety and mobility for non-motorized users,
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Advance active transportation efforts to achieve green-house gas reduction goals,
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Enhance public health,
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Ensure that disadvantage communities fully share in the benefits of the program, and
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Provide a broad spectrum of benefits to many types of users.
Competitive projects must also demonstrate the ability to deliver the project within the required time constraints and must provide the California Conservation Corps with an opportunity to partner on the project during the construction phase. Grant applications are due to the State and MTC on June 1, 2015.
RECOMMENDED CANDIDATE PROJECTS:
The following candidate projects were considered and evaluated for competitiveness and the ability to deliver the project prior to the funding deadline. The most critical milestone in project delivery corresponds to the date when Caltrans’ authorization to proceed with construction must be achieved. For this cycle, the deadline for Authorization to Proceed with Construction will be March 2018.
Fred Jackson First Mile/Last Mile Connection Project
Fred Jackson Way First Mile/Last Mile Pedestrian Connection Project will remove barriers to pedestrians and provide access to affordable housing, transit, schools, employment, shopping, regional trails, senior center, and community facilities. The existing sidewalks in this area of North Richmond represent barriers to mobility impaired users as the sidewalk width is only three feet with power poles located in the middle of the sidewalk. The proposed First Mile/Last Mile Pedestrian Connection Project will eliminate this barrier and utilize excess lane width and parking width to narrow the road and expand the sidewalks to eight feet wide. The widening of sidewalks on Fred Jackson Way will extend approximately 1,400 feet from Grove Street to the Wildcat Creek Trail. The project may extend an additional 1,400 feet north of Wildcat Creek and Verde Elementary School to connect to the proposed Urban Tilth Project which is scheduled to begin construction in 2016.
The Urban Tilth Project is an Organic Farm to Table, non-profit organization which trains and employs local youth in organic farming techniques. Extension of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements to Brookside Drive will help residents commute to work or travel a short distance to purchase fresh produce. Staff is still evaluating the addition of this element to the current project scope.
North Richmond is identified as a Community of Concern and a Priority Development Area. The proposed project will provide residents with improved access to safely walk their first mile and last mile of their commute. Mode choices will reduce impacts to the environment such as green-house gas emissions and at the same time improve public health by fighting obesity with an active lifestyle.
Appian Way Complete Streets Project
Staff has worked over the years with the community of El Sobrante and the City of Pinole in developing planning studies for Appian Way. Staff is currently developing the complete streets concept for Appian Way that was first identified in a study conducted by Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) in collaboration with the County and the City of Pinole, and approved by the Board in December of 2013, as part of a General Plan Amendment in the El Sobrante area. Preliminary engineering plans have been prepared to determine the scope and location of bicycle and pedestrian improvements on Appian Way. The plans were presented at two public workshops and to the El Sobrante Municipal Advisory Council in the fall of last year.
The planning efforts have included the full extent of Appian Way from San Pablo Dam Road to the City of Pinole; however, this grant application is focused on improvements on Appian Way, from San Pablo Dam Road to Valley View Road. This proposed project would formalize pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure which includes closing the many gaps in sidewalk along this stretch of Appian Way and also proposes countermeasures for past pedestrian collisions. The project includes installation of bulb outs at major crossing locations to minimize the crossing distance for pedestrians which will also calm traffic. Consistent with complete streets policies, this project would assure that the transportation corridor is accessible for all modes and all users with an emphasis on a pedestrian friendly environment and ADA access. This projects is located adjacent to a Priority Development Area. Staff will continue to work with the El Sobrante Municipal Advisory Council in moving these planning efforts forward.
Pacheco Boulevard Pedestrian Bridge/culvert extension east of Las Juntas Elementary
This segment of Pacheco Boulevard is the last remaining gap in pedestrian facilities along the unincorporated portion of Pacheco Boulevard, west of Arthur Road. School administrators and the parent community at Las Juntas Elementary School requested this improvement because the secondary access through the adjacent residential neighborhood has been closed. Currently, the sidewalk and road shoulder terminates on each side of Vine Hill Creek and students must walk on the narrow road shoulder adjacent to high volume vehicle and truck traffic. The project will require several permits from various state and federal regulatory agencies in order be allowed to work in the streambed to extend the culvert. The CTC criteria for Disadvantaged Communities was changed this last year so this area now qualifies as a Disadvantaged Community.
Rio Vista Elementary School Pedestrian Connection Project
Similar to other projects considered, this proposed project would close the last remaining gap in pedestrian and bike facilities on Pacifica Avenue between Driftwood Drive and Port Chicago Highway in Bay Point. Completing the proposed section near Rio Vista Elementary School and Inlet Drive will satisfy all of the goals established with the ATP program as the improvements will encourage a mode shift towards non-vehicular travel, benefit a community of concern and serve all three public school within a quarter mile of the project: Riverview Middle School, Shore Acres Elementary, and Rio Vista Elementary School. This project rated well in Cycle 1 for ATP and was listed on the contingency list of projects.
Bailey Road/State Route 4 Interchange Pedestrian & Bicycle Improvement Project
Over the past several years, County staff has been working in close collaboration with Caltrans to improve safety and circulation of pedestrians and bicyclists along Bailey Road through the State Route 4 (SR4) Interchange. The Bay Point community has indicated that the existing pedestrian tunnel under the SR4 westbound loop off-ramp is significantly underutilized. The project proposes to remove the existing pedestrian tunnel and install sidewalk and Class II bike lanes along Bailey Road where the off-ramp currently rests. This will allow pedestrians and bicyclists to travel in a direct path along Bailey Road between Canal Road and the nearby Bay Point/Pittsburg BART Station.
The intersection of Bailey Road, the BART station entrance, and the SR4 eastbound loop off-ramp will also be augmented to provide safer circulation for pedestrians and bicyclists. The existing free flow right turn lanes will be removed from the off-ramp and BART entrance to eliminate conflicts with bicycles and pedestrians on Bailey Road. The Bay Point community will benefit from better pedestrian and bicycle access through the interchange to nearby Bel Air Elementary School, the Delta De Anza Regional Trail, and the Bay Point/Pittsburg BART Station.
PROJECTS CONSIDERED:
All of the projects considered were assessed based upon the scoring rubric established by the CTC (below):
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Demonstrate the project will successfully shift mode choice, 30 points
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Reduce rate of injury, 25 points
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Project developed through a community based process, 15 points
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Ability to improve public health for targeted users, 10 points
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Benefits a disadvantaged community, 10 points
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The project is cost effective, 5 points
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Local funds are leveraged, 5 points
Projects were also assessed on their ability to meet the project delivery schedule. The projects determined to be the most competitive are identified on the list of recommended projects. All of the remaining projects represent important infrastructure needs in our area; however, it is important to narrow the list of candidates so that quality applications can be prepared as it an extensive grant application.
The following projects will be further developed and considered for future cycles of ATP grant funding:
Danville Boulevard Pedestrian Improvements
Through a series of four workshops with the Alamo community, pedestrian improvements on Danville Boulevard through downtown Alamo were identified as a community priority along with various pedestrian safety improvements at school sites. The overall vision is to minimize conflict locations between vehicles and pedestrians along Danville Boulevard in the downtown area. This includes considerations to install a roundabout at Orchard Lane and extend curbs to create wider sidewalks and bulb outs to reduce crossing distance, along with increased signage and traffic calming measures. This “key” project for Alamo will require extensive community based design efforts that may be conducted prior to submittal of applications for ATP Cycle 3.
San Miguel Drive Pedestrian Improvements
This project would include expansion of road shoulder along San Miguel Drive to provide an area adjacent to the traveled way for pedestrians to walk from home to school, shopping, medical offices, a regional trail and community facilities. The proposed project would extend approximately 5,000 feet through relatively steep terrain which would require segments of retaining walls to support an expanded shoulder. The project would require removal of approximately 20 trees adjacent to the roadway. The community has shown interest in the project; however, they are currently researching how they might be able to work together to provide a less formal access area that will minimize impact to the area. Accordingly, staff will not move forward with an application for this cycle of ATP but continue to work with the community as their plans move forward.
Olympic Boulevard Corridor Connection between IHT and Lafayette-Moraga Trail
The County has been working with the cities of Walnut Creek and Lafayette over the last two years to develop a trail connection concept plan to join two regional trails: Iron Horse Trail and the Lafayett/Moraga Trail. With the assistance of a consultant, several workshops have been conducted and a formal review process completed this year. DCD Staff is working with the consultant to identify a first phase project and potentially prepare an ATP application.
Pedestrian Improvements at I-680/Treat Overcrossing
County staff and CCTA have been working together over the past year to conduct community workshops and identify potential infrastructure improvements to serve bicyclists and pedestrians using the Treat Boulevard/I-680 corridor between the Iron Horse Trail, through the Interstate-680 (I-680) over-crossing ("over-crossing") near the Contra Costa Centre/Pleasant Hill BART station area, and extending west to Geary Road/North Main Street in the City of Walnut Creek. The I-680/Treat Boulevard 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 Contra Costa Centre/Pleasant Hill BART Area Specific Plan identifies a need for a future bicycle and pedestrian circulation route along this segment of Treat Boulevard. 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. The proposed Plan would support and help implement these policies and recommendations. In addition, the City of Walnut Creek adopted policies in their General Plan 2025 that support this project.
The concept plan should be adopted within the coming months. Although the improvements identified through this planning process would be ideal for shifting travel modes to bicycle and pedestrian, it was determined the project status is not ready for the timeline required for an ATP award. Staff will continue working to further scope this project and ready it for the next cycle opportunity through ATP or Transportation for Livable Communities (TLC).
Camino Tassajara Bike Lane Gap Closure
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 in bike lane improvements north of Windemere Parkway. The completion of an extensive bike lane project would be a significant accomplishment to finally link all the pieces together. Past projects were funded through the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) which focuses funding towards locations with a collision history.
The segments already completed were those segments with the highest collision rate. Completing these gaps in one extensive project would represent a large project cost but also represent an overall cost savings as compared to completion of a separate environmental processes for each of the individual segments. It would be beneficial to have NEPA studies underway for this project prior to submittal of a grant application in order to assure project delivery on time.
Port Chicago Highway at Willow Pass Bike & Ped improvement Project
The proposed improvements include closing a gap in pedestrian and bicycle improvements within a hub in the center of Bay Point. The improved access proposed 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 links the project to schools on Pacifica Avenue and also improves access to transit. The project is located in a Community of Concern and supported by adjacent school communities, the Countywide Bicycle Advisory Committee, and the project was initiated by the Bay Point Municipal Advisory Council. NEPA and preliminary engineering are already underway with authorization to proceed through Caltrans from a Safe Route 2 School grant. This project also scored well in Cycle 1 of the ATP process and was placed on the contingency project list. MTC has indicated that there are funds remaining from Cycle 1 and this project was selected from the contingency list to receive funding. For this reason, this project was shifted from the Recommended Project List to the list of considered projects.
NEXT STEPS:
If authorized to proceed, staff will prepare preliminary designs and cost estimates for the application package. As described in past years, Staff maintains a data base of past grant applications, categorized by specific program and Supervisorial District. We will continue to monitor geographic equity in grant opportunities. Some funding opportunities are aimed towards disadvantaged communities or Priority Development Areas which focuses project selection to those areas; however, we strive to reach geographic equity as we balance opportunities through other available grant programs which allow a more broad geographic selection.
Staff will continue to develop the remaining projects with the intent of becoming more competitive in future cycles.
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