CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: December 16, 2024
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. ___-24 AUTHORIZING A REQUEST TO
THE METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION FOR THE
ALLOCATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026 TRANSPORTATION
DEVELOPMENT ACT ARTICLE 3 PEDESTRIAN/BICYCLE PROJECT
FUNDING FOR THE PLEASANT HILL PEDESTRIAN CROSSING
ENHANCEMENTS PROJECT
SYNOPSIS
The purpose of this item is to consider adopting a Resolution to authorize the Public Works Director to submit a State Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 grant application in the amount of $175,000 for the construction of the Pleasant Hill Pedestrian Crossing Enhancement Project. The Project would enhance two crosswalks along Pleasant Hill Road, one crosswalk on Westover Drive at the Contra Costa Canal Trail, and one crosswalk across Doris Drive at Linda Drive with new pedestrian activated flashing beacons and overhead lighting.
DISCUSSION
Background
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) notified agencies of available TDA funds in November 2024. Eligible projects may include sidewalk improvements; pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements; on-street or off-street bicycle facilities; and development of bicycle safety education programs or plans. The basic objectives of the TDA grant program are to increase the safety and efficiency of bicycle and pedestrian travel, and to encourage alternative modes of transportation. These projects are also consistent with the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan adopted in 2024. The MTC requires a supporting Resolution from the City Council to be eligible for grant funds.
Analysis
Given the requirement for TDA funds to be used for bicycle/pedestrian improvements, the proposed Pleasant Hill Pedestrian Crossings Enhancements Project (Project) was identified as the candidate project for the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 grant application. The Project would install new rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) systems with LED overhead pedestrian lights at two existing crosswalks on Pleasant Hill Road (PHR), one crosswalk at Westover Drive, at the Contra Costa Canal Trail, and one crosswalk at the intersection of Doris Drive and Linda Drive. When the project is complete, these four crossings would all have pedestrian activated RRFBs and overhead lighting. This project will be in partnership with Contra Costa County whose right-of-way covers the west side of PHR at Teigland Road. This corridor is identified as a high priority corridor in the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.
Pleasant Hill Road between Diablo View Road and just north of Withers Avenue/Lucinda Lane is lacking sidewalks and has limited shoulder that can be used to comfortably walk or bike. Teigland Road/Lucinda Lane provide access points to Pleasant Hill Elementary School and destinations beyond, allowing pedestrians and bicyclists to avoid walking along PHR. However, this still requires pedestrians and bicyclists to cross PHR at uncontrolled crossings. The current crosswalks have high visibility striping and signage, but lack ADA accommodations and do not meet current best practices given the vehicle volumes and speeds on PHR. Enthusiasm for improving the crossings has been expressed by residents who recently raised funds to install flags that pedestrians can use to increase their visibility to drivers as they cross PHR.
Pleasant Hill Road north of Oak Park Boulevard is also lacking sidewalks on the east side and has limited shoulder that can be used to comfortably walk or bike. Providing a crossing at Wood Creek Place allows pedestrians and bicyclists to avoid walking along PHR on the roadway and cross to the existing sidewalk on the west side or access side streets. This location also allows vehicular traffic on both northbound and southbound traffic on PHR to safely view people walking or biking across the street.
The Project would install pedestrian activated RRFBs and overhead lights at the two crosswalks, as well as create accessible landing areas on both sides of PHR. The landings would be designed to tie into future sidewalks and leave room for bike facilities when funding becomes available to improve PHR.
The Contra Costa Canal Trail provides a regional connection for people walking and biking. They connect neighborhoods to schools, parks, and shopping areas throughout the City. The City has, in previous years, upgraded many of these trail crossings, installing raised crosswalks, pedestrian activated flashing beacons, and advanced yield lines. The Contra Costa Canal Trail crossing at Westover Drive, an approved project in the City’s FY 2024/2025 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), would be upgraded with RRFBs and add pedestrian activated lighting.
The Doris Drive and Linda Drive intersection is highly trafficked and currently crossed by pedestrians with an unmarked crosswalk. This intersection connects neighborhoods to shopping centers and restaurants within the area. The project would install pedestrian activated RRFBs and overhead lights at the crosswalk as well as ADA compliant curb ramps.
In December of 2024, staff submitted a preliminary application for the Pleasant Hill Pedestrian Crossings Enhancements Project to the Countywide Bicycle Advisory Committee (CBAC) for review, as required.
FISCAL IMPACT
The project improvement cost, including design and construction, is estimated at $391,000. Staff is seeking $175,000 in TDA grant funds. The FY 2024/2025 approved CIP allocated $56,000 in Measure K Pedestrian and Bicycle Funds for the Contra Costa Canal Trail/Westover Drive Trail Crossing RRFB. These funds along with $160,000 already allocated in the FY 2024/2025 Measure K Pedestrian and Bicycle Program, would cover the remaining $216,000 in estimated project cost to match the TDA grant funds. If the TDA grant application is successful, funds would become available in August 2025, and construction costs would have to be incurred before June 30, 2027.
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
Adopt proposed Resolution.
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council can choose not to adopt the proposed Resolution and not authorize the filing of the TDA grant application. Funding could be sought from other sources or the City could choose not to construct the Project.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proposed Resolution
Attachment A: Findings
Attachment B: TDA Article 3 Project Application Form
Project Location Map and Site Photos
Prepared by: Ryan McClain, Transportation Manager
Reviewed by: Ann James, Public Works Director
Approved by: Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager