City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JUNE 23, 2026 FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION OF GRANT APPLICATIONS TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM (ATP) CYCLE VIII GRANT APPLICATIONS – SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND ISLANDER PARK / COUNTY TRAIL CONNECTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,400,000 INCLUDING A 4.8% OPTIONAL LOCAL MATCH NOT TO EXCEED $500,000 ISSUE:
Authorize the submittal of two grant applications to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to: construct active transportation street improvements at five elementary and middle schools citywide and create a plan for the islander park / county trail connection project. The two projects combined total an estimated $10.4 million dollars with a grant funded component of $9.9 million dollars and an optional 4.8% city local match not to exceed $0.5 million.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Authorize the submittal of an Active Transportation Program Cycle VIII grant application to the California Department of Transportation in an amount up to $9,900,000 for improvements at Jackson Elementary School, Pachappa Elementary School, Myra Lynn Elementary School, Patricia Beatty Elementary School, and University Heights Middle School to construct high-visibility crosswalks, audible pedestrian push buttons, speed feedback signs, AI-based state-of-the-art video detection systems, battery back-up systems, and improve sidewalk connectivity in the surrounding neighborhoods; Authorize the Public Works Department to submit an Active Transportation Program Cycle VIII grant application to the California Department of Transportation in an amount up to $500,000 for Islander Park / County Trail Plan, a comprehensive plan for the development of a new trail; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to sign any grant-related documents, including making minor and non-substantive changes as necessary.
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of the State of California’s Active Transportation Program is to support active modes of transportation by achieving the following goals:
Increase the proportion of trips accomplished by biking and walking; Increase safety and mobility for non-motorized users;
Advance the active transportation efforts of regional agencies to achieve greenhouse gas reduction goals; Enhance public health;
Ensure that disadvantaged communities fully share in the benefits of the program; and Provide a broad spectrum of projects to benefit many types of active transportation users.
On March 19, 2026, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) announced the ATP Cycle VIII Call for Projects. ATP Cycle VIII is expected to include approximately $574 million in federal, state SB1, and State Highway Account (SHA) grant funds. The funding/programming years are expected to run for four years, from 2027/2028 to 2030/2031.
In Spring of 2026, the Western Riverside Council of Governments retained a consultant to assist City Staff in the preparation of the ATP Cycle VIII grant application.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Riverside has participated in the ATP grant program since its inception in 2014, seeking funding for important active transportation projects through the submission of multiple grant applications during the first five calls for projects. To date, the City has been successful in securing millions of dollars in federal and state grants for five projects under ATP Cycles I, II, III, and VI benefiting the City and its residents by constructing critical pedestrian and cyclist safety and mobility enhancements.
Caltrans handles the intake, eligibility screening, and ongoing grant administration of the Active Transportation Program. The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has oversight of ATP projects, setting the program guidelines, making the final project selections, and amends project scopes, schedules, and funding amounts.
In preparation for the ATP call for projects, staff collaborated with residents and community partners including the Southern California Association of Governments, the Riverside Police Department, Blue Zones, the Riverside Transit Agency, Alvord Unified School District, Riverside Unified School District, California State Assembly District 60, the Riverside University Health System, along with several local businesses.
For Cycle VIII, the City will be submitting two new Cycle VIII applications. The two applications are described in detail below:
Riverside Safe Routes to School Improvement Project – Medium Infrastructure Project Grant This Public Works grant application will request less than $10M for a combination of infrastructure and non-infrastructure to:
Partner with Riverside Unified Health System-Public Health (RUHS-PH). RUHS-PH will lead the education campaign serving students and families at each of the five schools, equipping them with essential skills and knowledge for safe active transportation.
Installing sidewalk gaps, installing vehicle speed reduction measures, adding high-visibility crosswalks, installing stop signs and audible pedestrian push buttons, implementing AI-based video detection systems, installing battery back-up systems, and additional location-specific improvements Figure 1: Pachappa Elementary School Infrastructure Improvements (1 of 5 schools total).
Islander Park / Country Trail Plan – Planning Grant
This Public Works grant application, in partnership with the PRCS Department, and the Riverside County Regional Park and Open Space District will request up to $500,000 to:
Contract professional consultant services to develop a comprehensive Plan for the proposed trail; Enhanced pedestrian and bicycle connectivity improvements between Riverside neighborhoods and Box Springs Mountain Reserve access points; Evaluation of pedestrian, bicycle, and trail access improvements near Mount Vernon Park and Islander Park, including a potential grade separated pedestrian crossing of the Perris Valley Line; Connectivity improvements associated with existing and future trailheads, park access points, and parking areas; Safe crossing enhancements and multimodal access improvements at roadway and trail interface locations; Wayfinding, lighting, accessibility, and user safety enhancements for vulnerable road users; Opportunities for Safe Routes to Parks, Safe Routes to Trails, and regional active transportation network integration; and Coordination opportunities with regional trail systems, open space access, and recreational mobility improvements.
Figure 2: Potential Study Locations
Grant Matching Strategy & Development:
The full scope of each project is pending final estimates; however, in order to stay within the defined project size ranges and remain competitive for local funds, the Safe Routes To School Improvement Project will be capped at $10M in total project cost for Medium-sized projects, and the Islander Park / County Trail Plan projects will be capped at $500,000 for Planning projects.
The proposed projects will benefit local communities by making vital improvements which will elevate safety levels, create pedestrian & equestrian facilities, and heighten driver awareness.
City Staff is requesting authorization from the City Council to submit two grant applications, in amounts totaling $10,400,000.
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 $10,400,000, which is comprised of $9,900,000 in ATP Cycle VIII grant funds, and an additional $500,000 in local matching funds to complete the ATP Cycle VIII 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 up to $500,000, from potential funding sources that may include bond proceeds, Special Gas Tax, Measure A, TUMF, eligible federal funds (BUILD or SS4A), or other existing funding sources.
The estimated fiscal impacts for the two projects including design, construction, construction engineering, consulting services, and contingencies is estimated at $10,400,000 which is shown in Table 1 as follows:
Table 1 – Project Costs:
Project Name
Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 8 (FY 2027) Funds Requested (maximum) Local Match Funds (0%-4.8%)(Optional)
Total Project Cost
Combination Grant (Infrastructure & Non-Infrastructure):
Safe Routes To School Improvements:
Jackson Elementary School
Pachappa Elementary School
Myra Lynn Elementary School
Patricia Beatty Elementary School
University Heights Middle School
Educational Campaign Component
$9,400,000
$500,000
$9,900,000
Planning Component:
Islander Park / County Trail Plan Development
$500,000
$0
$500,000
Estimated ATP Cycle 8 Grant Program (FY 2027) Total:
$10,400,000
Prepared by: Philip Nitollama, City Traffic Engineer
Approved by: Nathan Mustafa, Public Works Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Julie Nemes, Interim Finance Director Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Rebecca McKee-Reimbold, Interim City Attorney Attachments:
2027 Guidelines
ATP Cycle VIII Applications ● Page 2