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C.134

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	John Kopchik, Director, Conservation & Development Department
Date:	June 26, 2018

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Approve a contract with Alta Planning + Design for the Contra Costa County Iron Horse Active Transportation Corridor Study

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 06/26/2018

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:

Jamar Stamps 925-674-7832

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 26, 2018
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Conservation and Development Director, or designee, to execute a contract with Alta Planning + Design in an amount not to exceed $349,568 to assist the Department of Conservation and Development in developing and studying the feasibility of active transportation concepts for the Iron Horse Corridor, for the period June 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019.

FISCAL IMPACT:

None to the General Fund. The contract is funded at 100% by a Transportation for Livable Communities grant from the Contra Costa Transportation Authority. Staff time is accounted for in the current department budget.

BACKGROUND:

The Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development is seeking a transportation planning/traffic engineering consultant firm to develop the Iron Horse Active Transportation Corridor Study ("Study"). The Study will explore opportunities to develop the Iron Horse Corridor (“Corridor”) into an active transportation corridor. The Study would identify features in addition to the existing recreational trail such as a bike expressway, separated bicycle and pedestrian facilities, trail access improvements (“on/off-ramps” to the bicycle expressway), improved roadway intersection designs, and additional signage/wayfinding. The Study will also explore the possibility of the Corridor accommodating Shared Autonomous Vehicles.

The scope of the Study (see attached map) will include the entire length (approximately 18.5 miles) of the Corridor within Contra Costa (Concord/Mayette Avenue to County Line). While the Iron Horse Regional Trail begins in Concord near Highway 4, it should be distinguished from the Iron Horse Corridor (former railroad right of way) that begins in Concord at Mayette Avenue.

The Iron Horse Trail features a paved multi-use path for walking, jogging, and bicycling along with adjacent unpaved or earthen, informal trails in some areas. The 10-foot paved trail currently accommodates all users: cyclists, hikers, wheelchairs, equestrians, pets, etc. With the exception of the e-bike pilot program, no motorized vehicles are permitted on the trail, however, wheelchair accessibility is provided. East Bay Regional Park District (“EBRPD”) holds a license agreement to maintain a 20-foot cross section consisting of the 10-foot wide paved trail and 5-foot shoulders on either side of the pavement.

This Study will explore opportunities and constraints for further developing the active transportation features within the Iron Horse Corridor. Contra Costa County (“County”) will be the lead agency on the Study. However, the Study will be developed collaboratively and include stakeholders such as the Cities of Concord, Pleasant Hill, Danville, Walnut Creek, and San Ramon, EBRPD, Contra Costa Transportation Authority, utility companies and advocacy organizations. The Study will include an extensive public outreach component, existing conditions analysis, transportation analysis and alternatives development and analysis.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

The study will not proceed and the implementation of County policies for bicycle and pedestrian facilities will be delayed if authorization to execute the contract is not approved.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

The study may result in safe routes to school type improvements for schools in the study vicinity.