City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: APRIL 22, 2025 FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: ACCEPTANCE OF THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION GRANT FOR THE 2024 FEDERAL AND STATE HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM CYCLE 12 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRAFFIC-RELATED SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS FOR A COMBINED GRANT FUNDED AMOUNT OF $6,209,870 WITH AN 18.4% REQUIRED LOCAL MATCH IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,400,030 FOR A TOTAL FUNDING PACKAGE OF APPROXIMATELY $7,609,900 – SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUE:
Accept three (3) grant awards in the combined amount of $6,209,870 from the California Department of Transportation’s 2024 Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 12 Program to (1) construct traffic safety improvements at various locations citywide including 160 new traffic signal controllers, (2) construct pedestrian median fencing, audible pedestrian push button systems, high visibility crosswalks, multi-way stop sign compliance improvements at various locations, and (3) construct Class II buffered bike lane enhancements along Van Buren Boulevard from Arlington Avenue to Magnolia Avenue; and authorize a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $1,400,030 for a total funding amount of $7,609,900.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Authorize the acceptance of three (3) grant awards in the combined amount of $6,209,870, under the 2024 Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 12 Program as administered by the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) for the construction of 160 new traffic signal controllers, installation of pedestrian median fencing, audible pedestrian push button systems, high visibility crosswalks, multi-way stop sign compliance improvements, and construction of Class II buffered bike lane enhancements along Van Buren Boulevard from Arlington Avenue to Magnolia Avenue; Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute any and all grant agreements and related grant documents with the California 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 revenues and supplemental appropriations in a total amount of $6,209,870 in the Capital Outlay-Grants Fund, in various capital project revenue and expenditure accounts as outlined in the fiscal impact section of this report; and With at least five affirmative votes, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record a supplemental appropriation in total amount of $1,400,030 from available fund balance in the Measure A Fund, in various capital projects expenditure accounts as outlined in the fiscal impact section of this report, for the purposes of the City match portion of the grant.
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of the Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) is to achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on public roads. Agencies are eligible to receive up to $10 million in grant funds for Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) applications and up to $1 million in grant funds for multiple Set-Aside applications through this program.
On May 6, 2024, the California Department of Transportation announced the HSIP Cycle XII Call for Projects. Applications are due by September 9, 2024. HSIP Cycle XII is expected to award approximately $252 million in federal grant funds statewide. Projects will be selected based on a Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) analysis, and some projects may be funded through set-aside programs. The maximum amount an agency can be awarded is $10 million for a BCR application. Set-aside applications are available for Guardrail Upgrades ($1 million), Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements ($350,000), and Bike Safety Improvements ($350,000).
In May 2023, the City accepted $7.8 million dollars in HSIP grant funds (total project cost of $9 Million dollars) for the installation of citywide yellow reflective signal backplates, leading pedestrian interval, and a raised median with high-friction surface treatment along Mission Inn Avenue. The Public Works Department plans to implement a similar strategy for this round of funding.
On September 17, 2024, the City Council authorized City Staff to submit multiple grant applications under the Fiscal Year 2024 HSIP Cycle 12 Grant program, with a combined project total amount not to exceed $12,000,000.
In September 2024 the Public Works Department submitted three highly competitive grant applications for the construction of 160 new traffic signal controllers, installation of pedestrian median fencing, audible pedestrian push button systems, high visibility crosswalks, multi-way stop sign compliance improvements, and Class II buffered bike lane enhancements along Van Buren Boulevard from Arlington Avenue to Magnolia Avenue.
The City received the official 2024 HSIP Cycle 12 Grant Award notification on February 21, 2025.
DISCUSSION:
With the successful grant award notification of the combined $6.209 Million Dollars ($7.609 Million Total Project cost) under the CALTRANS FY 2024 HSIP Cycle 12 Grant Program, the City has been awarded federal and state funds to construct 160 new traffic signal controllers citywide, pedestrian median fencing, audible pedestrian push button systems, high visibility crosswalks, multi-way stop sign compliance improvements, and Class II buffered bike lane enhancements along Van Buren Boulevard from Arlington Avenue to Magnolia Avenue. 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.).
The 2024 HSIP Cycle 12 grant project aims to improve traffic safety for vulnerable road users, decrease or eliminate traffic collisions, and encourage active transportation for residents and business patrons citywide.
A full list of the traffic safety improvements is shown below:
One hundred sixty (160) Various Signalized Intersections Citywide (new signal controllers) One hundred sixty-four (164) Signalized Intersection Improvements Citywide (high visibility crosswalks and audible pedestrian push button enhancements) Thirty-five (35) multi-way stop sign-controlled intersection enhancements with increased conspicuity and regulatory compliance requirements Pedestrian median fencing access restrictions along Magnolia Avenue between Harrison Street and La Sierra Avenue Pedestrian median fencing access restrictions along University Avenue between Kansas Avenue and Iowa Avenue Enhance existing bike infrastructure to Class II buffered bike lanes along Van Buren Boulevard between Arlington Avenue and Magnolia Avenue 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 proven traffic 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.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item 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 CALTRANS FY 2024 HSIP Cycle XII 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 enhancements for non-motorized roadway users; according to the California Healthy Places Index Map households in Riverside disadvantaged communities are more often reliant on non-motorized transportation to access employment, institutions, and recreation.
Fiscal Responsibility – Riverside is a prudent steward of public funds and ensures responsible management of the City’s financial resources by awarding construction and consultant services contracts to the lowest responsive bidders and utilizing available grant funding from the Highway Safety Improvement Program.
Innovation –The project traffic signal controllers aim 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 project will enhance safety for non-motorized forms of transportation; pedestrian and bicycle safety enhancements can encourage mode shift and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is an increase in grant revenue and expenditures of $6,209,870 plus an additional $1,400,030 in City match funds from Measure A available fund balance. There are sufficient reserves in the Measure A Fund to accommodate the supplemental appropriation.
Upon Council approval, revenue and expenditures will be recorded in the amount of $6,209,870 and local match in the amount of $1,400,030 will be appropriated to the Signal Controllers Upgrade Project, Pedestrian Fencings & Crosswalk Upgrades Project, and Class II Buffered Bike Lanes project accounts as detailed in Tables 2, 3, and 4.
Table 1. Project Costs
Project Name
Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) (FY 2024) Grant Program Funds Requested Local Match Funds (50% for Application 1 & 10% for Applications 2 and 3) Total Project Cost
Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 12 (3 Grant Applications Awarded:
One Hundred Sixty Signalized Intersections Citywide:
Install new 2070 signal controllers with updated software & 8 communication switches $798,800
$798,800
$1,597,600
164 Signalized intersections, 2 roadway segments and 35 non-signalized multi-way stop controlled intersections Citywide:
Pedestrian median fencing
Upgrade pedestrian crossings
Improve multi-way stop controlled intersections
$5,097,690
$566,410
$5,664,100
Van Buren Blvd between Arlington Ave & Magnolia Ave:
Convert existing Class II Bike Lane to Class II Buffered Bike Lanes, upgrade bicycle detection $313,380
$34,820
$348,200
$6,209,870
$1,400,030
$7,609,900
Table 2. Signal Controller Upgrades
Fund
Project
Account
Amount
Revenue
Capital Outlay-Grants
Signal Controller Upgrades
9411500-334100
$798,800
Expenditures
Capital Outlay-Grants
Signal Controller Upgrades
9411500-440210
$798,800
Measure A
9411530-440313
*$798,800
Total Expenditures:
$1,597,600
*Denotes City Match
Table 3. Pedestrian Fencings & Crosswalk Upgrades
Fund
Project
Account
Amount
Revenue
Capital Outlay-Grants
Pedestrian Fencing & Crosswalk Upgrades
9282727-331300
$5,097,690
Expenditures
Capital Outlay-Grants
Pedestrian Fencing & Crosswalk Upgrades
9282727-440127
$5,097,690
Measure A
9282730-440313
*$566,410
Total Expenditures:
$5,664,100
*Denotes City Match
Table 4. Class II Buffered Bike Lanes
Fund
Project
Account
Amount
Revenue
Capital Outlay-Grants
Class II Buffered Bike Lanes
9411400-334100
$313,380
Expenditures
Capital Outlay-Grants
Class II Buffered Bike Lanes
9411430-440210
$313,380
Measure A
9411430-440313
*$34,820
Total Expenditures:
$348,200
*Denotes City Match
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:
Award Notification
Location Maps
Grant & Local Match Summary
Project Schedule
Presentation
California Department of Transportation Fiscal Year 2024 Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 12 Grant Award ● Page 2