CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: August 01, 2022
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. ___-22 AUTHORIZING A REQUEST TO
THE METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION FOR THE
ALLOCATION OF 2002 ONE BAY AREA GRANT (CYCLE 3) FUNDS
SYNOPSIS
The purpose of this item is to consider adopting a Resolution to authorize the City Engineer to request allocation of One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) Cycle 3 funds to implement the Viking Drive Bikeway Improvement Project. The City is submitting an OBAG grant proposal in the amount of $2,457,000 to the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). The project will improve bicycle and pedestrian access and safety on Viking Drive. The scope of improvements include a Class IV Protected Bikeway, sidewalk, curb ramps, bus benches, streetlights, speed feedback sign, and crosswalk enhancements.
DISCUSSION
Background
Pursuant to MTC Resolution 4505, the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) Cycle 3 program guides how MTC distributes federal transportation funds from the Federal Highway Administration to projects and programs that improve safety, spur economic development, and help the Bay Area meet climate change and emission goals. The OBAG 3 program extends four years from 2023 to 2026.
The OBAG grant has three components: Smart Signals, Safe-Routes-to-School NonInfrastructure (SRTS-NI), and Active Transportation and Safety (ATS). The City of Pleasant Hill is eligible for grant funding under the ATS component. The ATS fund allocation to CCTA is $25 million, and the grant award process is competitive. MTC designated CCTA to develop a prioritized countywide grant proposal nomination list for Contra Costa County to compete for ATS funding at the MTC regional level. CCTA and MTC will evaluate all OBAG ATS grant proposals, and MTC will make the final selection based on ranking and ATS funds availability.
Analysis
The Viking Drive Bikeway Improvement Project appears as an unfunded capital improvement project in the recently adopted 2022-2027 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget, as well as the soon-to-be-adopted 2022 General Plan Update, Transportation and Circulation Element, and the 2022 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.
Viking Drive is a key east-west collector street in the City of Pleasant Hill with a traffic volume of 10,000 vehicles per day. It provides direct access to Diablo Valley College (DVC), College Park High School, and Valley View Middle School. Viking Drive has two travel lanes (one lane each way), a Class II bicycle lane each way, and a sidewalk on the south side. Along the College Park High School frontage are two crosswalks connecting the sidewalk to the DVC parking lot and bus stop on the north side. Viking Drive has a posted speed limit of 25 MPH. Speeding and the lack of protected bicycle facilities on Viking Drive discourage bicycle use. The lack of sidewalk (along the DVC street frontage), streetlights, and high visibility pedestrian-activated crosswalks discourage walking.
The project would install a Class IV Protected Bikeway, new sidewalk (north side of street), curb ramps, bus benches, streetlights, speed feedback sign, and crosswalk enhancements. The Class IV Bikeway is separated from the travel lane by a bicycle buffer zone and high visibility vertical separators. The project will provide bicyclists and pedestrians a safe and accessible means of access along Viking Drive. The project will reduce potential vehicular conflicts involving bicycles and pedestrians, and encourage non-motorized modes of transportation for all users in the area.
FISCAL IMPACT
The estimated project cost is $2,457,000. The local matching requirement is $281,820, which represents 11.47% of the project cost. Should the City’s OBAG 3 grant proposal fail to receive ATS funds, the City will seek additional funding opportunities.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the City Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center and at the Pleasant Hill Police Department. The agenda and staff report are posted on the City’s web page.
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Staff recommends adopting the proposed Resolution.
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
If the City Council chooses not to adopt the proposed Resolution, the project will remain an unfunded capital improvement project.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Exhibit A. Project Location Map
Proposed Resolution
Prepared by: Philip Ho, Senior Civil Engineer
Reviewed by: Ananthan Kanagasundaram, City Engineer
Approved by: June Catalano, City Manager