City of Sacramento
City Council - 5PM Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2023-00650 6/13/2023 Consent Item 17.
Grant Applications: U.S Department of Transportation Safe Streets and Roads for All Program and Bridge Investment Program, and the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) Revolving Match Program
File ID: 2023-00650
Location: District 2, Represented by Councilmember Loloee; District 4, Represented by Councilmember Valenzuela
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution: 1) authorizing the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee to submit a grant application to the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) for federal funding for the Marysville Blvd Vision Zero project; 2) authorizing the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee to submit a grant application to the SACOG Revolving Match Program for the Marysville Blvd Vision Zero project; 3) authorizing the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee to submit a grant application to the Bridge Investment Program (BIP) for federal funding for the I Street Bridge Replacement Project (T15136000); 4) authorizing the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee to submit any related documents necessary to support the grant applications; and 5) authorizing the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee to execute the grant agreements and any related grant documents upon award.
Contact: Jennifer Donlon Wyant, Transportation Planning Manager, (916) 808-5913; [email protected]; Jesse Gothan, Supervising Engineer, (916) 808-6897, [email protected]; Ofelia Avalos, Engineering Services Manager, (916) 808-5054, [email protected], Department of Public Works David Edrosolan, Transportation Division Manager, 916-808-5974, [email protected], Department of Public Works Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Resolution
Additional Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: The City has a substantial unfunded need for transportation improvements, including maintenance/upgrades of existing facilities as well as construction of new facilities. Most of the City’s
File ID: 2023-00650 6/13/2023 Consent Item 17.
capital transportation projects are funded with state and federal grant funding. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Office of the Secretary of Transportation, posted a Notice of Funding Opportunity for projects nationwide to apply for funding through the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program. These funds will be awarded on a competitive basis to support planning, infrastructure, behavioral, and operational initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets involving all roadway users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation users, motorists, personal conveyance and micro-mobility users, and commercial vehicle operators. These grants are due on July 10, 2023.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), will also this year post a Notice of Funding Opportunity for projects nationwide to apply for funding through the Bridge Investment Program (BIP). These funds will be awarded on a competitive basis for bridge replacement, rehabilitation, preservation, and protection projects that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of people and freight over bridges and improve the condition of bridges in the United States.
SACOG released the Revolving Match Program, a grant program intended to help agencies with additional funding to pursue federal or state grants. A maximum of $4 million per project can be requested.
Each grant program has specific requirements and guidelines to consider in evaluating possible projects for a successful application. Based on analysis of grant requirements and the readiness of potential projects, City staff is recommending submission of the following projects to the federal grant programs:
· Safe Streets and Roads for All - Marysville Boulevard Vision Zero Project · Revolving Match Program - Marysville Boulevard Vision Zero Project · Bridge Investment Program - I Street Bridge Replacement Project The City applied for both these projects in these programs last year but was not awarded funding.
Staff debriefed with the federal agencies on both applications, and received feedback that both applications were very competitive; however, limits on the number of projects awarded meant that these projects were not funded. For the SS4A program, funding is limited to 15% to any one state, which makes it more challenging for Sacramento to receive funding when competing with the larger urban areas in Los Angeles and the Bay Area. The BIP funded only four large bridge projects nationwide in the last round, including the Golden Gate Bridge.
Policy Considerations: The submission of the projects is consistent with the City General Plan goals of promoting safety and enhancing livability, sustainability, and economic vitality. The recommendations in this report are in accordance with the following specific policies from the Sacramento 2035 General Plan:
File ID: 2023-00650 6/13/2023 Consent Item 17.
M 1.2.1 Multimodal Choices - The City shall develop an integrated, multimodal transportation system that improves the attractiveness of walking, bicycling, and riding transit over time to increase travel choices and aid in achieving a more balanced transportation system and reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
M 1.2.4 Multimodal Access - The City shall facilitate the provision of multimodal access to activity centers such as commercial centers and corridors, employment centers, transit stops/stations, airports, schools, parks, recreation areas, medical centers, and tourist attractions.
M 1.3.2 Eliminate Gaps - The City shall eliminate “gaps” in roadways, bikeways, and pedestrian networks.
M 1.3.4 Barrier Removal for Accessibility - The City shall remove barriers, where feasible, to allow people of all abilities to move freely and efficiently throughout the city.
M 4.1.2 Balancing Community, Social, Environmental, and Economic Goals. The City shall evaluate and strive to address community, environmental, and citywide economic development goals when adding or modifying streets, roads, bridges, and other public rights- of-way.
M 4.1.3 Community Outreach - The City shall conduct public outreach to community organizations and members of the general public in corridor planning early in the project development process to identify feasible opportunities to provide community benefits and to lessen any potential impacts of modifications to local streets and roadways.
M 4.2.2 Pedestrian and Bicycle-Friendly Streets - In areas with high levels of pedestrian activity (e.g., employment centers, residential areas, mixed-use areas, schools), the City shall ensure that all street projects support pedestrian and bicycle travel. Improvements may include narrow lanes, target speeds less than 35 miles per hour, sidewalk widths consistent with the Pedestrian Master Plan, street trees, high-visibility pedestrian crossings, and bikeways (e.g., Class II and Class III bike lanes, bicycle boulevards, separated bicycle lanes and/or parallel multi- use pathways).
M 4.2.4 Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities on Bridges. The City shall identify existing and new bridges that can be built, widened, or restriped to add pedestrian and/or bicycle facilities.
M 4.2.5 Multi-Modal Corridors - Consistent with the Roadway Network and Street Typologies established in this General Plan, the City shall designate multi- modal corridors in the Central City, within and between urban centers, along major transit lines, and/or along
File ID: 2023-00650 6/13/2023 Consent Item 17.
commercial corridors appropriate for comprehensive multimodal corridor planning and targeted investment in transit, bikeway, and pedestrian path improvements if discretionary funds become available.
M 4.2.6 Identify and Fill Gaps in Complete Streets - The City shall identify streets that can be made “complete” either through a reduction in the number or width of travel lanes or through two-way conversions, with consideration for emergency vehicle operations. The City shall consider including new bikeways, sidewalks, on-street parking, and exclusive transit lanes on these streets by re-arranging and/or re-allocating how the available space within the public right of way issued.
M 5.1.5 Motorists, Bicyclists, and Pedestrian Conflicts - The City shall develop safe and convenient bikeways, streets, roadways, and intersections that reduce conflicts between bicyclists and motor vehicles on streets, between bicyclists and pedestrians on multi-use trails and sidewalks, and between all users at intersections.
On January 19, 2017, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2017-0032 with the following Vision Zero goal: the City of Sacramento will work collaboratively in a data driven effort to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2027.
On March 15, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution 2022-0079 adopting Transportation Prioritization Criteria, Metrics and Points for Transportation Investments and Funding Opportunities that include Improving Air Quality and Health: Providing Equitable Investment; Providing Access to Destinations; Improving Transportation Safety; and Fixing and Maintaining the System.
On November 22, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution 2022-0361 adopting the Transportation Plan Prioritization for Transportation Investments and Funding Opportunities.
Economic Impacts: None.
Environmental Considerations:
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): The pursuit of grant funds is not subject to the provisions of the CEQA. Under Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Applying for funding is an administrative action which will have no effect on the environment and is therefore not subject to CEQA review. Appropriate CEQA review for individual projects will take place as part of project development. If awarded federal funds the Marysville Boulevard Vision Zero project will also be required to comply with NEPA.
The City Council certified an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and adopted a Mitigation
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Monitoring Program for the I Street Bridge Replacement Project in compliance with CEQA on June 25, 2019 (Resolution No. 2019-0276). Following certification of the EIR, Staff filed a Notice of Determination with the Sacramento County Clerk on July 2, 2019. The current action consists of steps to implement the project that was approved and is consistent with the analysis contained in the certified EIR. No further environmental review is required. As a responsible agency the City of West Sacramento also has permit jurisdiction or authorization over certain aspects of the project. The City of West Sacramento approved the EIR on August 7, 2019, and adopted the Findings and Notice of Determination authorizing the project within their jurisdiction. The I Street Bridge Replacement project is currently funded with federal funds. As a result, the proposed Project is also subject to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. On June 10, 2019, Caltrans approved a Final Environmental Assessment (FEA) / Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Project pursuant to the requirements of NEPA.
Sustainability: The projects are consistent with sustainability goals of promoting walking by developing a universally accessible, safe, convenient, integrated, and well-connected transportation system. Transportation is also responsible for 57% of Sacramento’s local greenhouse gas emissions, the single largest sector. Providing safe, walkable, and bikeable transportation alternatives helps to reduce single-occupant vehicle use and contribute towards Sacramento’s climate change goals.
Commission/Committee Action: The City’s Active Transportation Commission reviewed staff recommendations for these grant programs for the Marysville Boulevard Vision Zero Project at its August 18, 2022, meeting. The Active Transportation Commission recommended approval of the submission of the grant applications. The I Street Bridge Replacement Project was reviewed by the Active Transportation Commission on September 17, 2020, and previously on June 29, 2019. The I Street Bridge Replacement Project’s 65% plans were presented to the Disability Advisory Commission on May 4th, 2022, for review and comment.
Rationale for Recommendation: With limited available sources of local funding to meet the City’s goals to advance transportation safety and mobility options, grant funding is essential to deliver projects. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created new opportunities for funding. The granting agency requires that the City Council authorize the list of projects and that the City Manager or his designee sign the applications. After City staff review, the proposed projects best meet the grant program criteria, City policy and programming documents, and project delivery readiness.
Financial Considerations: Federal and State funding are the primary sources of funding for transportation projects in the City of Sacramento. Limited local funding is required to provide the required match to leverage state and federally funded projects and cover costs not eligible with grant funding. Unless other funding sources are identified and included in Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs), future match requirements are anticipated to come from future local transportation revenues or state, or other grants will be pursued to cover match costs. If sufficient local revenues
File ID: 2023-00650 6/13/2023 Consent Item 17.
are not available to meet all funding needs of projects that have been awarded grant funding, then projects will be postponed, reduced in scope, or cancelled. Funding for individual projects will be identified when setting up new CIPs and/or accepting grant funds. Staff will return to Council with the necessary budget adjustments for local funding requirements if grants are awarded.
The BIP Large Bridge Project category provides for the BIP funds to cover up to 50% of the total project cost and allows for other federal funding sources to contribute towards the remaining share.
The I Street Bridge Replacement Project has federal funding currently budgeted for construction through the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Highway Bridge Program (HBP).
However, the annual funding limitations of the program and the policy requirement for agencies to sign a high-cost bridge agreement has hindered the City’s ability to advance the project in that the federal funds are not available in a timely enough manner that would meet the schedule of the future construction funding expenditures. This would require the City to finance the cost of construction expenditures with debt financing over several years while waiting for federal funding reimbursement. To help solve this issue, Caltrans has encouraged the City to apply for the BIP. Per 23 U.S.C. § 124(c)(4), Federal assistance other than a grant under the BIP program may be used to satisfy the non-Federal share of the cost of a project for which a BIP grant is made. Staff continues to coordinate with Caltrans to develop a funding strategy that provides for the federal funding to be available in the same year as the construction expenditures are anticipated. If awarded the funding, staff would return with future actions related to the construction award and environmental permitting.
Assuming receipt of the BIP funding, Caltrans HBP funding in an adequate amount, other State grant funds currently committed to the project, and commitments from the City of West Sacramento, other local funds necessary to deliver the noneligible federal costs are programmed in the Grant Match program. If any of these funding sources is not fully available, there will not be sufficient funding to construct the bridge and no contract will be awarded until full funding is identified.
The intent of the SACOG Revolving Match Program application is to provide or contribute to the required match so that local agencies can better leverage State and Federal funding. The request to SACOG for the Marysville Boulevard Vision Zero Project if awarded would satisfy the 20% non- federal share requirement of the SS4A grant where recipients are required to contribute a local matching share of no less than 20 percent of eligible activity costs. All matching funds must be from non-Federal sources. After the City receives the grant funding decisions, staff will return to establish a specific Capital Improvement Project for the Marysville Boulevard Vision Zero project and transfer local funds for ineligible costs. Local funds necessary to deliver the Marysville Vision Zero are anticipated not to exceed $1.5 million.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
Background: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) posted Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for projects nationwide to apply for funding through the Bridge Investment Program and
File ID: 2023-00650 6/13/2023 Consent Item 17.
Safe Streets and Roads for All.
Safe Streets and Roads All
The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program was established by Section 24112 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58, November 15, 2021; also referred to as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” or “BIL”). Administered by the DOT, Office of the Secretary of Transportation, the purpose of SS4A grant program is to improve roadway safety by significantly reducing or eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries through safety action plan development and implementation focused on all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation users, motorists, personal conveyance and micro-mobility users, and commercial vehicle operators. The program provides funding to develop the tools to help strengthen a community’s approach to roadway safety and save lives and is designed to meet the needs of diverse local, Tribal, and regional communities that differ dramatically in size, location, and experience administering Federal funding.
The SS4A program provides funding for two types of grants: Action Plan Grants (for comprehensive safety action plans) and Implementation Grants. Action Plan Grants are used to develop, complete, or supplement a comprehensive safety action plan. To apply for an Implementation Grant, an eligible applicant must have a qualifying Action Plan. Implementation Grants are available to implement strategies or projects that are consistent with an existing Action Plan.
Successful grant applications will demonstrate engagement with a variety of public and private stakeholders and seek to adopt innovative technologies and strategies to:
· Promote safety;
· Employ low-cost, high-impact strategies that can improve safety over a wider geographic area; · Ensure equitable investment in the safety needs of underserved communities, which includes both underserved urban and rural communities;
· Incorporate evidence-based projects and strategies; and · Align with the Department’s mission and with priorities such as equity, climate and sustainability, quality job creation, and economic strength and global competitiveness.
A total of $5 billion has been appropriated to the SS4A program for FY2022-2026, with up to $1 billion available for SS4A grants in FY2022. No more than 15 percent of the available FY2022 funds may be awarded in a single state. Additionally, an agency may only submit one grant application for the current solicitation. While there is no minimum or maximum award amount, the expected Implementation Grant size is between $5 million and $30 million. The grant will require a local match contribution of 20 percent that cannot be funded with other federal funds. All FY2022 SS4A funds must be expended within five years after the grant agreement is executed and DOT obligates the funds.
File ID: 2023-00650 6/13/2023 Consent Item 17.
SS4A grant applications are due by September 15, 2022. Staff is recommending the following project for submission for the SS4A grant program:
Marysville Boulevard Vision Zero Project
The Marysville Blvd Vision Zero project is a project focused on safety and equity that will enhance mobility options for those who walk, bike, and take transit. The project is between I-80 and Arcade Blvd and includes a lane reduction, new signals that facilitate a slow green wave, separated bikeways, and new enhanced marked crosswalks. The project also supports transit by adding and improving crossings at transit stops.
Bridge Investment Program
The Bridge Investment Program (BIP) was established by Section 11118 of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58, Nov.15, 2021). Administered by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the goals of the BIP are:
1) To improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of people and freight over bridges
2) To improve the condition of bridges in the United States by:
a) reducing the number of bridges in poor condition or in fair condition and at risk of falling into poor condition within the next 3 years;
b) reducing the total person miles traveled over bridges in poor condition, or in fair condition and at risk of falling into poor condition within the next 3 years; c) reducing the number of bridges that do not meet current geometric design standards, or cannot meet the load and traffic requirements typical of the regional transportation network; and
d) reducing the total person miles traveled over bridges that do not meet current geometric design standards or cannot meet the load and traffic requirements typical of the regional transportation network.
3) To provide financial assistance that leverages and encourages non-Federal contributions from sponsors and stakeholders involved in the planning, design, and construction of eligible projects.
For Large Bridge Projects, a BIP grant shall be in an amount that is adequate to fully fund the project (in combination with other financial resources identified in the application) and not less than $50 million, with a maximum award amount of not more than 50 percent of the total eligible project costs.
File ID: 2023-00650 6/13/2023 Consent Item 17.
I Street Bridge Replacement Project
Built by Union Pacific more than one hundred years ago, the existing I Street Bridge accommodates motor vehicles on the upper deck and heavy rail on the lower deck. The upper deck of the bridge has travel lanes too narrow to serve modern transportation needs. There are no bicycle facilities, and the sidewalks are too narrow and steep to meet accessibility requirements in some locations.
The Cities of Sacramento and West Sacramento completed the Sacramento River Crossings Alternatives Study in 2011 which identified the purpose and need for new bridge crossings. The study concluded that a crossing to the north was needed to replace the existing I Street Bridge. Because the new crossing would replace the automotive crossing that is functionally obsolete and has aging approach viaduct structures the project qualified for federal funding through the Highway Bridge Program (HBP) administered by Caltrans. The program provides federal aid to projects that propose to rehabilitate or replace bridge structures that are at or near the end of the structures design life. Per the Caltrans review of the existing structures, the state determined that the construction of a new bridge in lieu of rehabilitating the approach viaducts and the existing bridge (which is owned by Union Pacific Railroad with access rights granted to the Cities for the upper deck) achieved the better transportation benefit.
Through the preliminary engineering and environmental analysis of the project, the project team developed the physical parameters that would govern the design and the aesthetics of the new bridge. Due to these physical design parameters and through a value engineering analysis a lift bridge structure was selected by Caltrans and the Federal Highway Administration. Significant public interest was given to the future architecture of the new bridge because of its central location to both cities. Considering input collected from the public and community, the project team refined the aesthetic alternatives for the bridge (including the tower design, lift span, approach spans, railings, and other key design elements) and performed the preliminary analysis to ensure the concepts are technically feasible, meet the functional design criteria required by Caltrans and the United States Coast Guard, and are within the scope of the environmental studies. A selection committee of local and federal representatives revealed the preferred alternative at a press conference held on February 21st, 2020, where the “Spring” design concept was revealed. More information about the design selection process is available on the project website. https://www.cityofsacramento.org/Public-Works/Engineering-Services/Projects/Current-Projects/I- Street-Bridge-Replacement
RESOLUTION NO.
Adopted by the Sacramento City Council
Grant Applications: U.S Department of Transportation Safe Streets and Roads for All Program and Bridge Investment Program and the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) Revolving Match Program
BACKGROUND
A. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) posted a Notice of Funding Opportunity for projects nationwide to apply for funding through the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program. These funds will be awarded on a competitive basis to support planning, infrastructure, behavioral, and operational initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets involving all roadway users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation users, motorists, personal conveyance and micro-mobility users, and commercial vehicle operators.
B. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Highway Administration FHWA), is expected to post a Notice of Funding Opportunity for projects nationwide to apply for funding through the Bridge Investment Program (BIP).
These funds will be awarded on a competitive basis for bridge replacement, rehabilitation, preservation, and protection projects that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of people and freight over bridges and improve the condition of bridges in the United States.
C. SACOG released the Revolving Match Program, a grant program intended to help agencies with additional funding to pursue major federal or state grants.
D. On January 19, 2017, City Council adopted Resolution No. 2017-0032 with the following Vision Zero goal: The City of Sacramento will work collaboratively in a data driven effort to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2027.
E. On March 15, 2022, City Council adopted Resolution 2022-0079 adopting Transportation Prioritization Criteria, Metrics and Points for Transportation Investments and Funding Opportunities that include Improving Air Quality and Health: Providing Equitable Investment; Providing Access to Destinations; Improving Transportation Safety; and Fixing and Maintaining the System.
F. Staff reviewed the guidelines for these grant programs, reviewed City priorities, and identified the recommended projects that would be most competitive for these grants.
BASED ON THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE BACKGROUND, THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Marysville Boulevard Vision Zero Project is approved for submission to the Fiscal Year 2022 Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program for federal funds.
Section 2. The I Street Bridge Replacement Project is approved for submission to the Bridge Investment Program for federal funds.
Section 3. The Marysville Boulevard Vision Zero Project is approved for submission to the SACOG Revolving Match Program.
Section 4. The City Manager or the City Manager’s designee is authorized to submit any related documents necessary to support the grant applications.
Section 5. The City Manager or the City Manager’s designee is authorized to execute the grant agreements, amendments, and any related grant documents upon award.