City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: FEBRUARY 4, 2025 FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: ACCEPTANCE OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION GRANT FOR YEAR 2024 SAFE STREETS FOR ALL PROGRAM FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY INVESTMENT PROJECT AND DEVELOPMENT OF CITYWIDE SUPPLEMENTAL SAFETY ACTION PLANS FOR A IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,448,000 WITH A 20% REQUIRED LOCAL MATCH IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,862,000 FOR A TOTAL FUNDING PACKAGE OF APPROXIMATELY $9,310,000 – SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUE:
Accept a grant award in the amount of $7,448,000 from the United States Department of Transportation’s 2024 Safe Streets For All (SS4A) Grant Program to construct street improvements within the project area bounded by Arlington Avenue to the north, Adams Street to the east, La Sierra Avenue to the west, and State Route (SR) 91 Freeway to the south, including development of Citywide supplemental safety action planning studies; and authorize a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $1,862,000 for a total funding amount of $9,310,000 .
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Authorize the acceptance of a grant award in the amount of $7,448,000, under the 2024 Safe Streets For All (SS4A) Program as administered by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) for the construction of the Neighborhood Safety Investment Project and the development of Citywide supplemental safety action plans; Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute any and all grant agreements and related documents with the United States Department of Transportation, including making minor and non-substantive changes and executing agreement amendments and extensions, subject to the availability of budgeted funds; With at least five affirmative votes, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record an increase in grant revenue and appropriate expenditures in the amount of $6,648,000 in the Capital Outlay-Grants Fund, Neighborhood Safety Investment Project revenue and expenditure accounts, $560,000 in the Capital Outlay-Grant Fund, Riverside SR-91 Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge Master Plan Project revenue and expenditure accounts, $240,000 in the Capital Outlay-Grant Fund, Citywide Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Master Plan Project revenue and expenditure accounts; and With at least five affirmative votes, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record a supplemental appropriation in the amounts of $1,662,000 in Measure A Fund, Neighborhood Safety Investment Project expenditure account, $140,000 in Measure A Fund, Riverside SR-91 Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge Master Plan Project expenditure account, and $60,000 in Measure A Fund, Citywide Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Master Plan Project expenditure account, for the City match portion of the grant.
BACKGROUND:
Section 24112 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also referred to as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” or “BIL”) established the discretionary SS4A Grant Program with $5 billion dollars in advanced appropriations that are intended to be appropriated equally over the five-year period of 2022 through 2026. One billion dollars of grant funds are authorized and appropriated for the current Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 which is the third year of the five-year grant program.
The purpose of SS4A grants are to improve roadway safety by significantly reducing or eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries through safety action plan development, refinement and implementation focused on all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation users, motorists, personal conveyance and micro mobility users, and commercial vehicle operators.
The SS4A grant program provides funding for two main types of grants: 1.) Planning and Demonstration Grants for comprehensive safety action plans, including supplemental safety planning, and/or safety demonstration activities; 2.) and Implementation Grants to implement strategies or projects that are consistent with an existing Action Plan and may also bundle funding requests for supplemental planning and temporary demonstration activities that are small-scale tests with finite trial periods.
The Federal share of a SS4A grant may not exceed 80% of total eligible activity costs. Recipients are required to contribute a local matching share of no less than 20% of eligible activity costs. Unless otherwise authorized by statute, all matching funds must be from non-Federal sources.
The City Council authorized staff to submit a $9,300,000.00 grant application under the 2024 SS4A Grant Program on May 21, 2024.
In May 2024 the Public Works Department submitted the highly competitive implementation and safety action plan grant application for the Neighborhood Safety Investment Project and Citywide safety action plans.
The City received the official 2024 SS4A Grant Award notification on September 9, 2024.
DISCUSSION:
With the successful grant award notification of $7.448 Million Dollars ($9.31 Million Total Project cost) under the USDOT FY 2024 SS4A Grant Program, the City has been awarded federal funds to construct the transformative Neighborhood Safety Investment Project which includes components for both infrastructure improvements and three separate planning efforts, mirroring Riverside’s previously successful efforts with this grant program. Projects and programs included in the grant project align with the City’s Strategic Plan, the Riverside P.A.C.T., and the Local Roadway Safety Plan (L.R.S.P.).
Infrastructure Component
The infrastructure portion of the 2024 SS4A grant project aims to improve traffic safety for vulnerable road users, decrease traffic collisions, and encourage active transportation for residents and business patrons within the project area. The City of Riverside Neighborhood Safety Investment Project includes new bikeways, high visibility crosswalks, audible pedestrian push buttons, sidewalks, and traffic calming treatments. The projects are supported by the Riverside PACT, Riverside Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP), and both Community Pedestrian Bicycle Safety Training (CPBST) School Reports prepared for Arlanza and Liberty Elementary Schools.
The project area was carefully selected to maximize grant program eligibility, while also targeting areas of the City which will greatly benefit from the addition of pedestrian and bicycle friendly infrastructure. Staff considered recent grant awards in the City, and in the interest of geographic equity sought funding within eligible areas of central & western Riverside. The project components will boost connectivity to schools, shopping, employment, and recreation for residents, and help make the Arlington, La Sierra, Arlanza and Ramona neighborhoods more inviting to visitors and future (unplanned) development. As evidenced by interest surrounding the South Main Complete Streets project, comprehensive investment in neighborhood infrastructure can be of interest to both residents and the business community. Widescale execution of the City’s infrastructure planning documents can serve as an engine for catalytic change.
Figure 1 illustrates the project boundary area surrounded by Arlington Avenue to the north, Adams Street to the east, SR-91 Freeway to the south, and generally La Sierra Avenue to the west. The project area falls entirely within disadvantaged community areas as defined by the USDOT Equitable Transportation Community (ETC) Explorer Tool which greatly increased the competitiveness of the grant application.
Figure 1: Project Area Map
Source: USDOT Equitable Transportation Community (ETC) Explorer Tool.
A full list of improvements within the project location area is shown below:
16.2 miles of Bike Paths, Buffered Bike Lanes & Bike Routes from Riverside P.A.C.T. 85 signalized intersection improvements (high visibility crosswalks & audible ped push buttons) 8 unsignalized intersection enhancements (ADA ped ramps and high visibility crosswalks)
0.6 miles of new sidewalks
0.9 miles of traffic calming treatments (speed humps and curb extensions) The project locations are close to schools, parks, medical facilities, employment centers, and commercial retail shopping centers. The recommended improvements support community requests received from public outreach efforts to improve traffic safety and multimodal connectivity.
The safety countermeasures are expected to reduce the frequency and/or severity of traffic collisions as well as improve multimodal connectivity, enhance safety and mobility for residents, and improve public health by encouraging increased walking, biking, and a more active lifestyle. The combined effects would also reduce greenhouse gas emissions as residents would be afforded amenities to walk or bike for the shorter trips.
Planning Component
The two supplemental safety action planning components are consistent with the National Roadway Safety Strategies (NRSS), align with the SS4A Grant Program Initiatives for Safer People, Safer Vehicles, Safer Speeds, Safer Roads, and Post-Crash Care, and are comparable to other projects awarded from the two previous rounds of the SS4A Grant Program.
The proposed Marketplace District (SR-91) pedestrian and bicycle bridge report is consistent with the city’s Riverside Marketplace District Vision Plan and aims to connect the downtown area with the Vine Street mobility hub while increasing safety for non-motorized vehicles. Funds will be used to conduct extensive public outreach and examine potential opportunities for the bridge connection and determine the City’s approach to implementation.
The proposed Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Master Plan will provide a citywide traffic signal system network and technology deployment plan to improve traffic flow efficiency, reduce congestion on roadways through signal coordination operations, and provide motorists with real-time information on road conditions. The proposed plan aligns with the Safer Roads initiative of the SS4A Grant Program and NRSS.
The city received supplemental planning funds for the Citywide American Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan. However, as part of a separate city project, an identical effort is currently underway. Thus, the original supplemental planning funds for the Citywide ADA Transition Plan has been re-allocated evenly to the two remaining supplemental planning projects. This re-allocation of funds has been approved by USDOT staff.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item supports Strategic Priority 2 – Community Well-Being and Goal 2.4 – Support programs and innovations that enhance community safety, encourage neighborhood engagement, and build public trust. This item also supports Strategic Priority 6 – Infrastructure, Mobility, and Connectivity and aims to ensure safe, reliable infrastructure that benefits the community and facilitates connection between people, places, and information. The proposed USDOT FY 2024 SS4A funded projects align with the goals below:
Goal 6.1 – Provide, expand and ensure equitable access to sustainable modes of transportation that connect people to opportunities such as employment, education, healthcare, and community amenities.
Goal 6.2 – Maintain, protect, and improve assets and infrastructure within the City’s built environment to ensure and enhance reliability, resiliency, sustainability, and facilitate connectivity.
Goal 6.3 – Identify and pursue new and unique funding opportunities to develop, operate, maintain, and renew infrastructure and programs that meet the community’s needs.
Furthermore, this project aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – The proposed improvements are part of a more significant endeavor to improve the City’s transportation network and increase the traffic safety of residents and visitors along city streets. The proposed improvements are identified in the Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP), the Riverside P.A.C.T. Plan, and Community Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Training (CPBST) Reports for both Arlanza Elementary School and Liberty Elementary School.
Equity –All Wards will benefit from the supplemental planning reports to improve the city’s traffic signal communications master plan.
Fiscal Responsibility – The proposed traffic safety improvement projects would leverage various city funds to garner grant funding of an 80%-20% split for traffic safety improvements. The City will continue to pursue additional non-federal eligible funding sources to supplement the local match funds such as the VMT Mitigation Program.
Innovation – The proposed bundled safety action planning component aims to improve traffic flow, safety, air quality, and fuel efficiency when moving people and goods by improving the traffic signal system communications network and providing real-time data and monitoring capabilities directly from the Traffic Management Center (TMC).
Sustainability & Resiliency – The proposed City of Riverside Neighborhood Safety Investment Project will reuse existing rights of way creatively to designate roadway space for bicyclists and improved pedestrian access.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total estimated fiscal impact of this action is an increase in revenue and expenditures of $7,448,000 plus an additional $1,862,000 in matching City funds from Measure A fund balance. Ther are sufficient reserves to accommodate the supplemental appropriation. Total project cost of $9,310,000 includes design, construction, construction engineering, and contingencies. (Table 1). Upon Council approval, revenue and expenditures will be recorded in the amount of $7,448,000 and local match in the amount of $1,862,000 will be appropriated to the Neighborhood Safety Investment, Riverside (SR-91) Pedestrian & Bicycle Bridge Master Plan and Citywide Intelligent Transportation System Master Plan project accounts as detailed in Tables 2, 3, and 4 below.
It should be noted that a portion of the city’s appropriated Measure A local match component has the potential to be replaced with the anticipated revenues collected from the Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Mitigation Bank Program.
Table 1 – Project Costs:
Project Name
Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) (FY 2024) Grant Program Funds Requested (maximum) Local Match Funds (20%)
Total Project Cost
Implementation Grant:
Project Area Boundary (Arlington Ave to the north, Adams St to the east, SR-91 Fwy to the south, and generally La Sierra Ave to the west):
Bikeways (bike path, buffered bike lanes & bike routes) High visibility crosswalks
Audible pedestrian push buttons
Sidewalks & ADA ramps
Traffic calming treatments (speed humps)
Speed feedback signs
$6,648,000
$1,662,000
$8,310,000
Bundled Supplemental Safety Action Planning Component:
Marketplace District (SR-91) Pedestrian & Bike Bridge Master Plan Study Report Citywide Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Master Plan $800,000
$200,000
$1,000,000
Estimated SS4A Grant Program (FY 2024) Total:
$9,310,000
Table 2 – Neighborhood Safety Investment Project
Fund
Project
Account
Amount
Revenue
Capital Outlay-Grants
Neighborhood Safety Investment
9282127-331300
$6,648,000
Expenditures
Capital Outlay-Grants
Neighborhood Safety Investment
9282127-440127
$6,648,000
Measure A
9282130-440313
*$1,662,000
Total Expenditures:
$8,310,000
*Denotes City Match
Table 3 – Riverside (SR-91) Pedestrian & Bicycle Bridge Master Plan Study Report Fund
Project
Account
Amount
Revenue
Capital Outlay-Grants
Riverside (SR-91) Pedestrian & Bicycle Bridge Master Plan 9282227-331300
$560,000
Expenditures
Capital Outlay-Grants
Riverside (SR-91) Pedestrian & Bicycle Bridge Master Plan 9282227-440127
$560,000
Measure A
9282230-440313
*$140,000
Total Expenditures:
$700,000
*Denotes City Match
Table 4 – Citywide Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Master Plan Fund
Project
Account
Amount
Revenue
Capital Outlay-Grants
Citywide Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Master Plan 9282327-331300
$240,000
Expenditures
Capital Outlay-Grants
Citywide Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Master Plan 9282327-440127
$240,000
Measure A
9282330-440313
*$60,000
Total Expenditures:
$300,000
*Denotes City Match
Staff will return to City Council to pursue additional non-federal eligible sources to supplement the required 20% local matching funds such as the SB1 Local Partnership Program, SB 821 Pedestrian & Bicycle Infrastructure Improvement Program, VMT Mitigation Program, and any other eligible grant programs.
Prepared by: Philip Nitollama, City Traffic Engineer
Approved by: Gilbert Hernandez, Public Works Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Jack Liu, Interim City Attorney
Attachments:
City of Riverside Neighborhood Safety Investment Project (Location Map) Traffic Safety Project List of Improvements
2024 SS4A Award Notification
2024 SS4A Grant Award Fact Sheet
Project Budget
Project Schedule
Local Match Summary
Presentation
United States Department of Transportation Fiscal Year 2024 Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Grant Award ● Page 6