City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: OCTOBER 6, 2026 FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION OF GRANT APPLICATIONS TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (HSIP) CYCLE XIII FUNDING FOR A TOTAL PROJECT COST OF $6,000,000 INCLUDING A 10% REQUIRED LOCAL MATCH OF $600,000 ISSUE:
Authorize the submittal of a grant application requesting up to $5.4 million in grant funding for a Fiscal Year 2026 Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Grant Program offered by the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) to construct traffic safety improvements at various locations citywide including the installation of street lights, fiber communications, signal timing operational improvements, audible pedestrian push button systems, high visibility crosswalks, rectangular rapid flashing beacons, new signage, new pavement markings, and new bike signs. The total project cost is estimated at $6 million with a grant funded component of $5.4 million and a required 10% City match of approximately $600,000.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council:
Authorize the submittal of a Fiscal Year 2026 HSIP Cycle XII grant application to the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) for a total estimated project cost of $6 million (including approximately $600,000 in required 10% City match funds), to construct traffic safety improvements at various locations citywide including the installation of street lights, fiber communications, signal timing operational improvements, audible pedestrian push button systems, high visibility crosswalks, rectangular rapid flashing beacons, new signage, new pavement markings, and new bike signs; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to sign grant-related documents, including making minor and non-substantive changes as necessary.
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of the Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) is to achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. Agencies are eligible to receive up to $10 million in grant funds for Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) applications and up to $360K in grant funds for each Set-Aside application through this program. The HSIP grant allows the installation of Proven Safety Countermeasures determined by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the California Local Roadway Safety Manual. Some of the countermeasures that the grant application may seek funding for include, but are not limited to:
Streetlights along Jurupa and Tyler
Pedestrian infrastructure enhancements at various locations Fiber optic communications infrastructure & signal timing operational improvements along the Central Avenue-Alessandro Boulevard corridor Wrong way bike signage improvements
On July 1, 2026, the California Department of Transportation announced the HSIP Cycle XIII Call for Projects. Applications are due November 2, 2026. HSIP Cycle XIII is expected to include approximately $370 million in statewide grant funds. 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 and there are set-aside applications available for wrong way bike signage upgrades ($360,000) and Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements ($360,000).
The City of Riverside has participated in the HSIP grant program since 2010, seeking funding for important traffic safety projects through the submission of multiple grant applications during previous calls for projects. To date, the city has been successful in securing millions of dollars in HSIP grants benefiting the city and its residents by constructing critical vehicles, pedestrian and cyclist safety enhancements.
The City of Riverside has successfully pursued Highway Safety Improvement Program funding. In April 2025, the City accepted $6.2 Million dollars in HSIP grant funds (total project cost of $7.69 Million dollars) for the installation of (1) traffic safety improvements at various locations citywide, including 160 new traffic signal controllers, (2) pedestrian median fencing, audible pedestrian push button systems, high visibility crosswalks, multi-way stop sign compliance improvements at various locations, and (3) Class II buffered bike lane enhancements along Van Buren Boulevard from Arlington Avenue to Magnolia Avenue. The Public Works Department plans to implement a similar multi-pronged strategy for this round of funding.
DISCUSSION:
To apply for HSIP funds, agencies are required to have a Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP), or equivalent document. The City of Riverside LRSP was formally adopted in 2022 ensuring the eligibility for this grant application. The LRSP creates a framework to systematically identify and analyze safety problems and recommend safety improvements. The development of the LRSP consisted of a collaboration with local agency partnerships and resulted in a prioritized list of improvements and actions that can demonstrate a defined need and contribute to the citywide traffic safety plan. The LRSP offers a proactive approach to addressing safety needs and demonstrates agency responsiveness to safety challenges.
The stakeholders who participated in the LRSP program include the following:
Riverside Police Department
University of California, Riverside
Riverside Unified School District
Alvord Unified School District
Riverside University Health Systems
Riverside Bike Club
Riverside Transit Authority
Center for Environmental Research & Technology
Riverside Community Health Foundation
Riverside Downtown Partnership
The LRSP must be updated and validated at a minimum of every five years. When the City submits future HSIP funding applications (including this round HSIP Cycle XIII), the agency must self-certify that an LRSP or equivalent has been completed.
The proposed HSIP grant application will benefit local communities by making vital traffic safety improvements which will heighten driver awareness and is anticipated to reduce traffic collisions citywide. Pedestrian and bicycle related improvements submitted for the HSIP grant application are also supported by the Riverside PACT (Pedestrian Target Safeguarding Plan, Active Transportation Master Plan, Complete Streets Ordinance, and Trail Master Plan) and the General Plan Circulation and Mobility Element.
The City is also currently developing a Vision Zero Action Plan (VZAP) that is anticipated to be completed by early 2027 and draft elements of the VZAP will be brought forward for inclusion in the grant application if available. The city has committed to a reduction of 50 percent of fatal and high injury traffic collisions by 2040, if not sooner.
City Staff is requesting authorization from the City Council to submit up to two (2) BCR applications and up to two (2) Set-Aside applications under the HSIP grant program, with a combined project total amount up to $6,000,000.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total estimated fiscal impact of this recommendation is up to $6,000,000, which is comprised of $5,400,000 in HSIP grant funds, and an additional $600,000 in local matching funds to complete the HSIP infrastructure improvements as listed in Table 1.
Table 1 – Project Costs:
Grant Program
Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle XIII Grant Program Funds Requested (maximum) Local Match Funds (10% for all)
Total Project Cost
Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) Application:
1. Street Light Improvements along Jurupa - Tyler
2. Fiber Communication Installation & Signal Timing Operations Improvements $1,800,000
$2,880,000
$200,000
$320,000
$2,000,000
$3,200,000
Set-Aside Applications:
3. Wrong Way Bike Signage Improvements
4. Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements
$720,000
$80,000
$800,000
Estimated HSIP Cycle XIII Grant program Total:
$6,000,000
1 All improvements are eligible for 90% reimbursement ratio.
If awarded, staff will return to the City Council to receive and appropriate funding and will make a recommendation for allocating the required matching funds in the amount of up to $600,000, from potential funding sources that may include bond proceeds, surplus reserves, Special Gas Tax, Measure A, or other funding sources.
Prepared by: Philip Nitollama, City Traffic Engineer
Approved by: Nathan Mustafa, Public Works Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Julie Nemes, Finance Director
Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: James Johnson, City Attorney
HSIP Cycle XIII Grant Application ● Page 2