The call for projects for ATP was released on April 15, 2016 for Cycle 3 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 County was awarded $800,000 in Cycle 1 funds for the Port Chicago Highway/Willow Pass Road Bike and Pedestrian Improvement Project. Cycle 2 was equally competitive with over 600 applications and approximately 20% awarded funding with the County receiving $4,700,000 in Cycle 2 funds for the Rio Vista Elementary Pedestrian Connection Project and the Bailey Road/State Route 4 Interchange Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvement Project.
The competitive rating criterion for the ATP program emphasizes 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 green-house gas reduction goals,
• Enhance public health,
• Ensure that disadvantage communities fully share in the benefits of the program, and
• 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 15, 2016 and, if awarded, funds will be available July 1, 2019.
RECOMMENDED CANDIDATE PROJECTS:
The following candidate projects were evaluated for competitiveness, project readiness, and available matching funds.
The scoring rubric established by the CTC is listed below:
• Demonstrate the project will successfully shift mode choice, 35 points
• Reduce rate of injury, 25 points
• Project developed through a community based process, 10 points
• Ability to improve public health for targeted users, 10 points
• Benefits a disadvantaged community, 10 points
• The project is cost effective, 5 points
• Local funds are leveraged, 5 points
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 poles located in the middle of the sidewalk.
The proposed First Mile/Last Mile Pedestrian Connection Project will eliminate this barrier and utilize excess vehicle 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 will also include construction of a new pedestrian path an additional 1,400 feet north of Wildcat Creek to connect to the proposed Urban Tilth Farm which is scheduled to begin construction in 2017.
Urban Tilth 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 at the farm or travel a short distance to purchase fresh produce.
North Richmond is identified as a Disadvantaged Community 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. Active mode choices will reduce impacts to the environment such as reduced 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 with the El Sobrante community and City of Pinole staff on 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 the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) in collaboration with the County and the City of Pinole. This study was approved by the Board in December of 2013 which included adoption of the Complete Streets Alternative as the preferred alternative.
This planning study was an initial step towards implementation of the El Sobrante General Plan Amendment. Preliminary layouts have been prepared to identify the scope and location of proposed bicycle and pedestrian improvements on Appian Way. The plans were presented at two public workshops and to the El Sobrante Municipal Advisory Council. During the most recent workshop, community members identified a priority for improvements at the intersection of Appian Way at Valley View Road as well as the segment of Appian Way from Valley View Road to San Pablo Dam Road.
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.
The project will include installation of a roundabout at the intersection of Appian Way and Valley View Road. 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 project is located within 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 on Pacheco Boulevard terminates on each side of Vine Hill Creek, leaving a sidewalk gap of approximately 60 feet. 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 to allow work in the streambed to extend the culvert. This area qualifies as a Disadvantaged Community which will result in a more competitive application.
San Miguel Drive Complete Streets Project
Over the past several years, County staff has been working with residents in the South Walnut Creek area in response to their request for a safe place to walk.
The San Miguel Drive Complete Streets Project is a partner application with the City of Walnut Creek to construct pedestrian and bicycle improvements on San Miguel Drive to connect residents in the unincorporated area to Walnut Creek’s Broadway Plaza, Las Lomas High School, transit stops, Iron Horse Trail, and healthcare offices.
This project is not located in a Disadvantaged Community but scores well in all other respects related to the potential mode shift from vehicles to active modes. The project also is competitive with respect to a high level of community participation. The City of Walnut Creek presented the project to their Transportation Commission on May 19, 2016 and received authorization to move forward with the joint grant application.
The project limits extend on San Miguel Drive from Andrea Court, within the City of Walnut Creek, to Adeline Drive which is within the unincorporated area. Approximately 850 feet of the project is within the City of Walnut Creek and 1150 feet of the project is within unincorporated Contra Costa County. Local match funds for the unincorporated portion of the project will be provided through the Central County Area of Benefit Fund.
PROJECTS CONSIDERED:
In March of this year, Public Works Staff reached out to the Chief of Staff for each of the five supervisorial districts, requesting project ideas for the ATP grant program. All of the resulting suggestions were evaluated against the scoring criteria for competitiveness. The recommended candidate projects listed above were determined to be the most competitive as well as able to meet the project delivery schedule and ability to provide the local match funds.
The following projects will be further developed and considered for future cycles of ATP and are intended to be submitted for OBAG (One Bay Area Grant), TLC (Transportation for Livable Communities) or PBTF (Pedestrian Bicycle and Trail Facilities) funds which will be solicited through CCTA in the next three months.
Iron Horse Trail Express Bike Route Planning Study
A planning study is proposed to outline opportunities and constraints related to adding an express bikeway within the Iron Horse Corridor but separate from the pedestrians and recreational bicyclists. This concept has the potential to make commuting via bicycle much more attractive. The first step is to study the feasibility of this infrastructure element and also assess alternatives and costs.
This planning project was considered as an ATP candidate for this current cycle until a recent ATP workshop provided staff with the feedback that planning studies are not eligible for ATP funding unless the project area is within a disadvantaged community. Staff will consider this planning study for future grant opportunities through TLC or PBTF.
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 Lafayette/Moraga Trail. With the assistance of a consultant, several workshops have been conducted and a formal review process completed.
This project could be considered for future ATP or upcoming TLC or PBTF funding programs; however, it would require consensus amongst the partner agencies on which segment of the project is the highest priority.
Pedestrian Improvements at I-680/Treat Overcrossing
County staff and CCTA have been working together over the past two years 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.
Although the improvements identified through this planning process would be ideal for shifting travel modes to bicycle and pedestrian, it was determined that the project status is not ready for the timeline required for an ATP award as Staff will continue working with the community to refine the project scope.
Marsh Creek Road Bicycle Trail Project, Planning Study
The proposed project includes a planning study to determine alignment options, cost estimates and overall project feasibility to provide a bicycle alternative parallel to Marsh Creek Road between the cities of Brentwood and Clayton. This planning project was considered as an ATP candidate for this current cycle until a recent ATP workshop provided staff with the feedback that planning studies are not eligible for ATP funding unless the project area is within a disadvantaged community. Staff will consider this planning study for future grant opportunities through TLC or PBTF.
NEXT STEPS:
If authorized to proceed, staff will submit the recommended projects to the State and MTC for potential funding.
Staff will continue to develop the remaining projects with the intent of becoming more competitive in future cycles.
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