REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: NICHOLAS D. MASCIA, PE, Assistant City Manager
Interim Director-Capital Projects Department
SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: SCOTT P. SEHM, PE, Assistant Director
Capital Projects Department, Design Services Division
YUE LEHMAN, Licensed Professional Engineer
Capital Projects Department, Transpor tation Project Management Division
SUBJECT
..Title
Approve a Cooperative Agreement with the State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for a State Highway Operation and Protection Pr ogram (SHOPP) Minor Fund Contribution in the amount of $1,250,000 for the Midtown Trail Segment 1 Phase II Project; and authorize the Director of Public Works or designee to execute the Cooperative Agreement on behalf of the City. (Council District 7)
..Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve a Cooperative Agreement with the State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for a St ate Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP) Minor Fund Contribution in the amount of $1,250,000 for the Midtown Trail Segment 1 Phase II Project (Project) and authorize the Director of Public Works or designee to execute the Cooperative Agreement on behalf of the City of Fresno (City).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff is requesting authorization to execute the agreement to accept Caltrans SHOPP Minor funds. The approval of this agreement will allow the City to accept the $1,250,000 funding from Caltrans for the Project. The limits of the Midtown Trail Segment 1 Phase II Project are along the south side of Shields Avenue from the Manchester Center entrance intersect ion to Fresno Street. The scope of the Project includes construction of a paved Class 1 trail wi th associated signage, striping, and lighting improvements, modifications to the State Route 41 northbound on and off ramps and traffic signal, and curb ramp modifications.
BACKGROUND
On September 1, 2016, the City Council approved the funding agreement allowing Measure C funds to be used for the design and construction of the Midtown Trail (then referred to as the “Metro Trail”). The Midtown Trail was split into five segments to be designed and constructed as stand-alone projects. The Midtown Trail Segment 1 Project, along Shields Avenue from Blackstone Avenue to Fresno Street is the first segment of the Midtown Trail program, a planned seven-mile pedestrian and cycle multipurpose trail, which will ultimately provide connectivity between the Fresno Area Express hub at Manchester Center and the Clovis Old Town Trail. The planned corridor follows the Herndon Canal alignment along Shields Avenue, from Blackstone Avenue to Fresno Street (Segment 1), continuing along Shields Avenue from Fresno Street to First Streets (Segment 2), then following Herndon Canal from First Street and Shields Avenue to McKinley Avenue and Millbrook Avenue (Segment 3), along the Mill Creek canal alignment south of McKinley Avenue from Millbrook Avenue to Clovis Avenue (Segment 4), then turning northerly along Clovis Avenue from McKinley Avenue to Shields Avenue (Segment 5).
In the subsequent years, much progress has been made to the trail system, with Segment 5 opening to the public on July 6, 2022, and Segment 2 opening on November 4, 2022. Segment 4 is currently in the late stages of construction with substantial co mpletion scheduled for later this summer. Segment 3, which lies predominantly within Fresno Irrigation District’s right-of-way but also crosses into Fresno County jurisdiction, is currently in the design phase with start of construction expected in the Spring of 2026. Segment 1 of the trail system is partially complete, having previously been split into two phases due to funding deadlines, as well as the complexity of the work within Caltrans right-of-way. Completion of the more complex Segments 1 and 3 in 2026 will result in a continuous 7-mile-long trail to be enjoyed by the community.
The decision to phase the design and construction of Segment 1 was made due to funding deadline requirements that forced the start of construction of the segment while the planning and design of the easterly portion of the trail, between the Shields Avenue entrance to Manchester Center and Fresno Street, was still in the early stages of planning an d design with Caltrans due to the scope of changes needed at the northbound ramps of State Route 41. The Midtown Trail Segment 1 Phase I consists of a Class 1 trail along the north side of Shields Avenue, from Blackstone Avenue to the Manchester Center entrance intersection; Phase II will continue the trail improvements, crossing Shields Avenue at the Manchester Center intersection and continuing the trail along south side of Shields Avenue to Fresno Street. The first phase was successfully completed in June of 2023 using Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant funding and local Measure C funding. The second phase involves more complex modifications to Caltrans facilities in order to accommodate the trail. The modifications for which Caltrans is contributing Caltrans State Highway Operations and Protections Program (SHOPP) minor program funding include realignment of the northbound loop on-ramp consistent with newer pedestrian- friendly interchange design standards. This funding will only perform improvements within the State Right of Way.
Midtown Trail Segment 1 Phase II Project is currently in Design and Right-of-Way phase with the final plans, specifications, and estimate (PS&E) package n early ready to advertise for construction. The improvements included in this Project include installation of a new Class I paved trail within the project area, modification of State Route 41 and Shields Avenue southbound on ramp as well as the northbound on ramp and off ramps and traffic sign al. Other work includes construction of new ADA- compliant curb ramps, installation of new street lighting, and new signage and striping.
The Project utilizes local Measure C and Measure P funding. Additionally, Caltrans will contribute $1,250,000 in SHOPP Minor funding to assist the Project with the cost of required improvements within the State’s right-of-way.
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the Di rector of Public Works or designee to sign the Cooperative Agreement on behalf of the City.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the Cooperative Agreement as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
The Midtown Trail Project was previously determined to be consistent with the densities established by existing zoning, community plan or general plan policies, for which an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was certified, and therefore was eligible for streamlined environmental review as set forth in California Environmental Quality Ac t (CEQA) Guideline Section 1518 3. The City’s determination, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 and findings in support of that determination, is reflected in the “Amended and Restated Environmental Assessment No. P20-01778,” which was adopted by Council on December 10, 2020. A Notice of Exempt ion for Environmental Assessment (EA) No. P20- 01778 was filed with the Fresno County Clerk on December 16, 2020.
Approval of the Cooperative Agreement between t he City of Fresno and Caltrans is to implement Segment 1 of the Midtown Trail Project, which was previously assessed. As described in Environmental Assessment No. P20-01778, Midtown Trail Segment 1 includes modifications to the State Route 41 on and off ramps at Shields Avenue. The proposed appr oval of the Cooperative Agreement will allow the City to allocate and appropriate funding for completion of this work within Caltrans right of way. This approval, to approve SHOPP funding to complete this portion of the Midtown Trail Segment 1 project, is within the scope of the work contemplated for this Segment 1 of the Midtown Trail. In this way, this approval is contemplated by previously adopted CEQA Guideline Section 15183 determination and no further assessment pursuant to CEQA required at this time.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented because this item does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Cooperative Agreement will have no impact on the General Fund of City of Fresno.
Attachments:
Agreement
Vicinity Map
Project Overview Map
Whites Bridge
Maple
Brawley
Herndon
Bullard
Shaw
Clovis
Fowler
Temperance
West
Palm
Clovis
Fowler
Temperance
De Wolf
Shields
McKinley
Belmont
Chestnut
Peach
American
Cedar
Grantland
Hayes
Elm
East
Marks
West
Walnut
Cornelia
North
California
Jensen
Ashlan
Grantland
Hayes
Cornelia
Brawley
Marks
Shaw
Bullard
Herndon
Nees
De Wolf
Shields
McKinley
Belmont
California
Jensen
North
Kings Canyon
Ashlan
Peach
Behymer
Copper
Shepherd
Nees
Blackstone
First
Cedar
Chestnut
Garfield
Bryan
Polk
Blythe
Valentine
Van Ness
Fruit
Maroa
Fresno
Millbrook
Maple
Willow
Dakota
Clinton
Olive
Gettysburg
Barstow
Sierra
Alluvial
Nielsen
Kearney
Muscat
Annadale
Church
Willow
Minnewawa
Malaga
Orange
Bryan
Sunnyside
Armstrong
Locan
Fig
Cherry
Hughes
Fruit
Polk
Valentine
Blythe
Alluvial
Sierra
Barstow
Perrin
Sunnyside
Armstrong
Locan
Clinton
Olive
Tulare
Butler
Church
Annadale
Dakota
Minnewawa
International
Teague
Midtown Trail Seg
1 Phase II
CAPITAL PROJECTS
DEPARTMENT
0123
Miles
VICINITY MAP
Project Limits
Project Area
District 7
City Limits
Legend
Midtown Trail Seg. 1
Blackstone to Fresno
Phase II
Project ID: PW00774
Council District: 7