CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: December 04, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. ___-23 AUTHORIZING A REQUEST TO
BAY AREA RAPID TRANSIT (BART) FOR THE ALLOCATION OF
CYCLE 3 SAFE ROUTES TO BART GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS FOR
CONSTRUCTION OF THE COGGINS DRIVE ACTIVE
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
SYNOPSIS
The purpose of this item is to consider adopting a Resolution to authorize the City Engineer to request the allocation of Safe Routes to BART (SR2B) Grant Program funds. If approved, the City will submit a SR2B grant proposal to construct active transportation improvements on Coggins Drive and Oak Park Boulevard between Hook Avenue and the Iron Horse Trail. The project would include Class IV separated bikeways, enhanced pedestrian crossings, and vehicle traffic calming along the Coggins Drive corridor. This would provide continuous bicycle facilities between the Iron Horse Trail, the EBMUD Trail, and the Pleasant Hill Library and Middle School. This would be achieved by reducing the number of vehicle lanes on Coggins Drive from four to two.
DISCUSSION
Background
Safe Routes to BART (SR2B) is a Measure RR-funded grant program targeting improved active access to BART stations. SR2B grants assist local jurisdictions and partner agencies in delivering near term, active access infrastructure in the form of transportation capital projects primarily off BART’s property. Projects selected for funding will support BART’s 2016 Station Access Policy goals, expand station access choices, and improve the overall customer experience to access the BART system.
Approximately $16 million in Measure RR funds will be made available for SR2B's final grant cycle 3 with funding disbursements ranging between approximately $500,000 and $3.0 million per agreement. SR2B provides grant funding for construction only (which may include construction management).
To be eligible for this program, Proposed Projects must:
a. be entirely located within Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Francisco Counties; b. deliver near term, enduring, active access infrastructure improvements that demonstrate a clear nexus to access a BART station by walking and/or biking; c. maintain or improve safe and comfortable access for BART’s customers, including those with disabilities, consistent with the SR2B grant program goals; d. have a delivery timeframe (including closeout) of up to three and a half years of the award date by the BART Board of Directors (per milestones outlined in section 7 Project Implementation below); and
e. have design review construction documents for the Proposed Project that have been completed to 35% or greater
The call-for-projects for the third and final cycle of SR2B was announced on October 11, 2023.
Grant proposal submittal deadline is December 14, 2023.
Analysis
Given the grant requirements for proximity to a BART station, Coggins Drive was identified as the potential project location with an existing need. The project would close a gap in the bicycle network by connecting the recently completed bike lanes west of Hook Avenue on the west side of I-680 across the freeway overpass and along Coggins Drive to the Iron Horse Trail (which can then be used to access the BART station). This would provide a bicycle connection between the Pleasant Hill Library, Pleasant Hill Middle School, the EBMUD Trail, Iron Horse Trail and multi-family housing. The proposed Class IV separated bikeways would encourage users of all abilities to ride their bicycle by physically separating people on bikes from vehicular traffic.
The project would also improve the pedestrian environment by enhancing pedestrian crossings at the Coggins Drive/Buskirk Avenue intersection and midblock at the existing Coggins Drive crosswalk. Safety would be improved along the route by reducing the number of vehicle lanes from four to two, and reducing curb radii thereby slowing vehicle speeds. The preliminary concept is attached and will continue to be developed if funding is approved.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Coggins Drive Active Transportation Project cost is estimated at $1,430,000. The required local matching fund is $330,000 which represents 30% of the grant amount. This project is not currently identified in the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP). If the City is awarded the SR2B grant, the matching funds would come from the City’s Measure K pedestrian and bike program for FY 2023/24 and 2024/25, and the Project would be added to the current CIP project list. Furthermore, allocation of Project funding would be reviewed by the Budget Committee and approved by City Council at a future meeting.
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 City will not be eligible for funding for the Project through the SR2B program. Staff could seek other potential funding sources, or the City could choose not to construct the Project.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proposed Resolution
Project Concept Plans
Prepared by: Ryan McClain, Transportation Manager
Reviewed by: Ananthan Kanagasundaram, City Engineer
Approved by: Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager