Agenda

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C. 4

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Julia R. Bueren, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Date:	June 20, 2017

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Authorize the filing of an application for BAAQMD funding for the Blackhawk Road Bikeway Project, Diablo area.

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 06/20/2017

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Mary Halle, 925 313-2327

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: June 20, 2017
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ADOPT Resolution No. 2017/223 approving and authorizing the Public Works Director, or designee, to file an application for the Bicycle Facilities Grant Program through the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) funding for the Blackhawk Road Bikeway Project (Project No.: 0662-6R4018) for up to $160,000 and committing local support and assurance to complete the project, Diablo area. (District III)

FISCAL IMPACT:

If awarded, the Bicycle Facilities Grant will provide approximately $160,000 (44%) of funds for the Blackhawk Road Bikeway Project. The remaining 56% of the project will be funded by Transportation Development Act (TDA) Grant funds and a developer contribution earmarked for Blackhawk Road.

BACKGROUND:

The BAAQMD is offering funding to public agencies to support the construction of new bicycle facilities, including bikeways and secure parking in the bay area, to improve air quality by helping residents and commuters shift to cycling and walking as alternatives to driving for short and first- and last-mile trips. Projects must be “shovel ready,” which the BAAQMD considers to mean the project has completed all applicable State and Federal environmental reviews.

The Blackhawk Road Bikeway Project meets the criteria the BAAQMD has identified. The purpose of this project is to improve bicyclist safety by providing bicycle lanes and related improvements over 3.6 miles of Blackhawk Road, providing an additional mode of transportation for commuting or recreation. There are no existing bicycle facilities along Blackhawk Road between Mt. Diablo Scenic Boulevard and Camino Tassajara. Blackhawk Road is the main access point for students who attend The Athenian School. This project would provide bicycle access for students and local residents to ride their bikes on Blackhawk Road for transportation or recreational purposes. The project would also provide bicycle access for residents making trips to the shopping mall near Camino Tassajara and Blackhawk Road. There are also bus stops along the project limits, which mean this project will provide multi-modal connections for residents as well.

The grant will request funds to stripe bicycle lanes, install appropriate signage, narrow vehicle lane widths in select locations, pave the roadway, and install bike friendly storm drain inlet grates. The grant may also request funds for bike lockers to be installed along the bikeway.

The Board of Supervisors approved an application in January 2016, to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for TDA for $100,000 for this project (Resolution 2016/37), which will be recommended for final approval by Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) in July.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

Failure to authorize staff to proceed with the grant application means the County will forego the opportunity to receive funds for the Blackhawk Road Bikeway Project. Those funds will instead come from the Local Road fund.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

Bicycle safety will be improved for students that bike to Athenian High School. If bike lanes were continuous, more students would feel encouraged to bike to school, which helps to achieve the goals of the BAAQMD grant program.