City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: MAY 20, 2025 FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 SAFE STREETS AND ROADS FOR ALL FUNDING FOR A TOTAL PROJECT COST OF $12,500,000 INCLUDING A 20% REQUIRED LOCAL MATCH OF $2,980,000 ISSUE:
Authorize the submittal of a grant application requesting up to $12.5 million in grant funding for a Fiscal Year 2025 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program offered by the United States Department of Transportation to construct various Citywide traffic safety infrastructure improvements, supplemental planning safety action studies, and demonstration activities. The total project cost is estimated at $12.5 million with a grant funded component of $10 million and a required 20% local match consisting approximately of $2.98 million city match which includes $0.8 million from eligible state grant funds at 50% project costs.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Authorize the submittal of a Fiscal Year 2025 SS4A grant application to the United States Department of Transportation for a total estimated project cost of $12.5 million (including approximately $2.98 million in required City match funds), to construct traffic safety infrastructure improvements including traffic signal controllers, bike lanes, sidewalks, guardrails, high friction surface treatment, raised curb medians, traffic signals, high-visibility crosswalks, audible pedestrian push button systems, sidewalks, traffic safety video cameras, and supplemental planning activities consisting of an update to the Riverside PACT, develop Citywide Pedestrian Gate Arm Master Plan at all existing at-grade crossings, and demonstration activities for temporary pilot projects such as curb extensions and neighborhood traffic circles; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to sign any grant related documents, including making minor and non-substantive changes as necessary.
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. Over $982 million dollars of grant funds are authorized and appropriated for the current Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 which is the fourth year of the five-year grant program.
The purpose of SS4A grants is 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.
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 of Riverside has successfully pursued Safe Streets for All funding. In February 2024, the City accepted $11.1M in SS4A funds for the construction of the South Main Complete Streets project, along with the preparation of Citywide safety action plans. In February 2025, the City accepted $7.448M in SS4A funds for the construction of the Neighborhood Safety Investment Project, along with the preparation of Citywide safety action plans. The Public Works Department plans to implement a similar strategy with this round of funding.
The FY 2025 SS4A grant application submittal has a deadline of June 26, 2025 at 5:00 PM (Eastern Time).
DISCUSSION:
The Public Works Department is requesting authorization from the City Council to submit a grant application requesting a total of up to $12.5 million in USDOT FY 2025 SS4A grant funding. The project components are proposed to include both infrastructure improvements, two separate supplemental planning efforts, and demonstration activities, mirroring Riverside’s previously successful efforts with this grant program. Projects and programs included in the grant application align with the City’s Strategic Plan, the Riverside PACT, the Local Roadway Safety Plan, and some of the Safe Routes To School Studies.
Infrastructure Component
The infrastructure portion of the proposed 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 project will include traffic signal controllers, bike lanes, sidewalks, guardrails, high friction surface treatment, raised curb medians, traffic signals, high-visibility crosswalks, audible pedestrian push button systems, sidewalks, traffic safety video cameras. The projects are supported by the Riverside PACT, Riverside Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP), and some of the individualized Safe Routes to School Studies.
The grant project infrastructure component for citywide signal controllers at 160 signalized intersection locations will build off the recent award from the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 12 that provided fifty percent (50%) funding from state funds. City staff is looking to fund the remaining 50% with federal funds through the 2025 Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Program.
The grant project infrastructure component for bike lanes along Van Buren Blvd and Chicago Ave and sidewalks along Van Buren, Bandini, and Pennsylvania are identical grant submittals as the 2025 SB 821 Grant Project. If awarded through the SB 821 grant program, City staff would be plan to fund the projects fully through a combination of 50% state funds leveraged against 50% federal funds under the 2025 Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Program.
The remaining project improvements were carefully selected to maximize grant program eligibility, while also targeting areas of the City which will greatly benefit from traffic safety needs. Staff considered recent grant awards in the City, and in the interest of geographic equity sought funding citywide. The project components will boost connectivity to schools, shopping, employment, and recreation for residents, and help make all neighborhoods more inviting to visitors and future (unplanned) development. Widescale execution of the City’s infrastructure planning documents can serve as an engine for catalytic change.
A full list of improvements within the project location area is shown below:
160 traffic signal controllers (already secured 50% of project funds via State HSIP Cycle 12) Van Buren Blvd Class II Buffered Bike Lanes Project from Wood to Orange Terrace (same grant application as 2025 SB 821 Grant Project - pending award) (Federal grant funds to supplement local grant funds) Chicago Ave Class II Bike Lanes Project from Le Conte Dr to MLK, Pennsylvania + Bandini + Challen sidewalk improvements (same grant application as 2025 SB 821 Grant Project – pending award) (Federal grant funds to supplement local grant funds) Central Ave from Fremont to Wilderness – horizontal curve improvements including guardrail, high-friction surface treatment and raised curb median Tyler St & Hemet raised curb median extension
Two new traffic signals at Dauchy & Krameria and Market & 6th Fifty audible pedestrian push buttons and high visibility crosswalks Ten AI-based traffic safety video cameras at high collision intersection locations Safe Routes to School recommended improvements
Riverside PACT recommended top tier improvements
The recommended components have been discussed with the community as part of the Riverside PACT. LRSP, and Safe Routes to School Study planning processes. Staff plans to engage the community further to discuss the project specifics if the grant application is successful.
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 multi-modal connectivity.
If the project is awarded, the safety countermeasures are expected to reduce the frequency and/or severity of traffic collisions as well as improve multi-modal 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.
Supplemental Safety Planning Component
The two proposed 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 Citywide At-Grade Railway Crossing Pedestrian Gate Arm Master Plan is consistent with the city’s General Plan Circulation Element and aims to minimize adverse safety pedestrian concerns. The primary goal of pedestrian gate arms is to enhance safety at railroad crossings by preventing pedestrians from attempting to cross the tracks when a train is approaching, especially when gates are lowered or in motion. Funds would be used to conduct extensive existing conditions analysis, public outreach, and examine potential opportunities for infrastructure improvements and prioritize the City’s approach to implementation.
The proposed update to the Riverside PACT Plan will provide a comprehensive community engagement effort, incorporating new, best practices and standards for the active transportation and complete streets components, and conduct an industry standard update once every 5 years. The proposed update aligns with the Safer Roads initiatives of the SS4A Grant Program.
Demonstration Activities Component
The proposed demonstration activities component is consistent with the Riverside PACT Plan, the Local Roadway Safety Plan, align with the SS4A Grant Program Initiatives for Safer People, Safer Vehicles, Safer Speeds, Safer Roads, and Post-Crash Care. The demonstration activities include temporary pilot projects such as curb extensions, neighborhood traffic circles, roadway directional conversions (two-way to one-way and vice versa), and vulnerable road user safety at intersections. Demonstration activities inform an Action Plan by testing proposed project and strategy approaches to determine their potential benefits and future scope; demonstration activities are temporary. Demonstration activities must measure potential benefits through data collection and evaluation and inform an Action Plan’s list of selected projects and strategies and their future implementation.
Indirect Cost Rate
To be consistent with the City’s indirect cost rate set aside policy for grants, an indirect cost rate of 10% will be added to this grant application up to $1.25 Million. Indirect costs are agency-wide, general management costs consisting of administrative activities such as accounting, budgeting, payroll preparation, personnel services, purchasing, and legal services.
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 proposed USDOT FY 2025 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 some of the Safe Routes to School Studies.
Equity –All Wards will benefit from the supplemental planning reports to improve the city’s at-grade rail crossing pedestrian gate arm master plan and Riverside PACT update 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 to a total up to $12,500,000 (which includes the agency grant award of $2,180,000) and builds off recent state funded grant awards under the HSIP Program at 50% of the project costs.
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 update to the Riverside PACT Plan and improving safety for pedestrians at existing at-grade rail crossings.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The proposed 2025 SS4A Project will reuse existing rights of way creatively to designate roadway space for bicyclists and improved pedestrian access.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no immediate fiscal impact, however if the grant is approved, the total estimated fiscal impact of this recommendation is up to $12,500,000, which is comprised of $10,000,000 in USDOT grant funds, and an additional $2,980,000 in local matching funds which includes $800,000 from eligible state grant funded at 50% project costs to complete the SS4A infrastructure and planning improvements as listed in Table 1. If awarded, staff will return to the City Council to accept the award and appropriate funding and will make a recommendation for allocating the remaining funds in the amount up to $2,180,000, from potential funding sources that may include bond proceeds, Special Gas Tax, Measure A, TUMF, state grant funds (i.e. HSIP Program) or other existing funding sources via budget transfer.
Table 1. Project Costs:
Project Name
Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) (FY 2025) Grant Program Funds Requested (maximum) Local Match Funds (20%)
Total Project Cost
Implementation Grant:
Citywide (All Wards) Traffic Safety Improvements:
traffic signal controllers1
(50% local match from state funded HSIP 12)
bike lane infrastructure
sidewalks & ADA ramps
traffic signals
high visibility crosswalks
audible pedestrian push buttons
guardrail
high-friction surface treatment
raised curb median
AI-based traffic safety video cameras
$800,000
(50% request)
$7,920,000
$800,0001
(50% state funded)
$1,980,000
$1,600,000
$9,900,000
Bundled Supplemental Safety Action Planning Component:
At-Grade Rail Crossing Pedestrian Gate Arm Plan
Riverside PACT Master Plan Update
$600,000
$150,000
$750,000
Demonstration Activities:
Develop Citywide demonstration activities for temporary pilot projects such as curb extensions, neighborhood traffic circles, roadway directional conversions (2-way to 1-way), and vulnerable road user safety at intersections. $200,000
$50,000
$250,000
Estimated SS4A Grant Program (FY 2025) Total:
$12,500,000
1 Local match for citywide traffic signal controllers project improvements will be funded at 50% by eligible state funds under the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 12. City is seeking the remaining 50% to be funded by eligible federal funds under the FY 2025 SS4A Grant Program.
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: Rebecca McKee-Reimbold, Interim City Attorney Attachments:
Traffic Safety Project List of Improvements
Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 12 Award Notification (50% Local Match for traffic signal controllers) Presentation
United States Department of Transportation Fiscal Year 2025 Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Grant Application ● Page 6