DATE: FEBRUARY 3, 2026
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS
FROM: DAVID JACOBS, PE, LS, DIRECTOR
BY: JOSIE LANTACA, ASSISTANT ENGINEER
TITLE: ACCEPTANCE OF REGIONAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM GRANT AND APPROPRIATION OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THE BORONDA ROAD CONGESTION RELIEF PROJECT, PHASE 1, CIP 9510 RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Resolution:
Accepting $1,721,723.75 of fair share and $1,000,000 of mid-cycle competitive grant funds from the Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP); and Increasing the expenditure appropriation by $2,721,723.75 of total RSTP funds for the Boronda Road Congestion Relief Project, Phase 1 contingencies, CIP No. 9510 for a total construction contingency of $4,598,263.75.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Boronda Road Congestion Relief Project (Project) proposes to widen East Boronda Road into a four-lane roadway (two-lanes at each direction) between Dartmouth Way and Independence Boulevard, and to construct roundabouts at McKinnon Street, El Dorado Drive, Natividad Road, and Independence Boulevard. The Project will be constructed in phases to accommodate funding availability.
Phase 1 of the Project will construct the McKinnon roundabout with the associated improvements and was awarded to Granite Construction Company on August 6, 2024 (Resolution No. 23053). Construction started on November 12, 2024, and is currently scheduled to be completed in fall 2026.
On August 27, 2025, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) approved the allocation of $1,721,723.75 of fair share funds and $1,000,000 of competitive grant funds from the Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) for the Project. Staff is requesting approval to appropriate the total of these funds, $2,721,723.75 to the Phase 1 Project construction contingencies.
BACKGROUND:
The Boronda Road Congestion Relief Project (Project) proposes to widen East Boronda Road into a four-lane roadway (two-lanes at each direction) between Dartmouth Way and Independence Boulevard, and to construct roundabouts at McKinnon Street, El Dorado Drive, Natividad Road, and Independence Boulevard. In May 2017, City Council approved the roundabout concept at the intersections identified above along with Hemingway Drive (Resolution No. 21169). The project includes the construction of bioretention facilities, buffered bike lanes, bus pullouts, sidewalks, ADA-compliant access ramps, storm drain lines, sanitary sewer lines, street lighting, landscaping, and other improvements. Project limits are from just east of Dartmouth Way to a point east of Independence Boulevard. Future phases are contingent on funding availability and obtaining all the necessary environmental permits.
Phase 1 of the Project was awarded to Granite Construction Company (Granite) on August 6, 2024 (Resolution No. 23053) with a total bid award of $15,637,796.93. Approximately 12%, $1,876,540.00 was allocated to construction contingencies.
At its August 27, 2025, meeting the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) board of directors approved the allocation of $1,721,723.75 of fair share funds and $1,000,000 of mid-cycle competitive grant funds from the Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) for the Project. Fair share RSTP funds distributed by TAMC based on member agency population. Mid-cycle competitive grants were allocated to projects that can use the funds in timely manner (construction to begin before July 2026).
Construction of Phase 1 of the Project began on November 12, 2024, and is scheduled to be completed in fall 2026. Several issues have been encountered after the start of construction that resulted in Contract Change Orders (CCOs), including: Changed the type of temporary fencing as specified by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and US Fish and Wildlife Service; Project acceleration to accommodate the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) Permit during winter work restriction; Animal trench protection for California red-legged frog and California tiger salamander; Temporary diversion measures; Additional traffic control; Unanticipated and unidentified buried man-made objects; Demobilization due to the winter weather suspension; Remobilization and additional clearing and grubbing; Time-relates overhead costs; Storage of precast concrete structures; Potholing; Sewer stub-outs; Waterstop for 60-inch pipe; Drainage system changes due to conflicts; Underground utility conflicts, and other unforeseen underground work. To date, 24 CCOs have been approved for a total cost of $1,853,590.24.
Staff is requesting appropriation of the total $2,721,723.75 of RSTP funds to the project contingencies for the Boronda Road Congestion Relief Project, Phase 1, CIP No. 9510 for a total construction contingency of $4,598,263.75.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
The environmental impacts of the Project have been analyzed in accordance with CEQA guidelines. An Initial Study (IS) was prepared to evaluate the potential impacts associated with the project. Based upon review of the IS, the proposed project will not have a significant effect on the environment because the mitigation measures outlined in the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) have been included in the Project.
A Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) was prepared for the Project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA, and on November 3, 2020, the Salinas City Council adopted and approved the MND and MMRP for the Project.
In addition, the following Environmental Permits have been received for Phases 1 & 2 of the Project:
Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board):
Section 401 Permit/Water Quality Certification was issued by the Water Board last October 2021.
US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE):
USACE Nationwide Permit (NWP) (for Phases 1 & 2) was received on May 9, 2023.
On April 24, 2023, a reinitiated Biological Opinion was issued by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, through the USACE consultation process. The reinitiated BO contains environmental measures to minimize effects to California red-legged frogs and California tiger salamanders.
A Consistency Determination dated September 22, 2023, was issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Determination states that the Service’s incidental take statement and accompanying revised BO are consistent with the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES:
No.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
The project addresses the City Council’s Strategic Goals of Infrastructure, Public Safety, and Economic Development by improving an important corridor that allows residents to access primarily commerce centers and improves an intersection that directly impacts children safety.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
The planning phase of this Project involved Public Works, Community Development, Finance, and Legal Departments. Public Works Department as the lead on the Project, coordinated closely with Community Development and Legal Departments in the review of the CEQA Documents, and there has been an extensive and iterative coordination effort between West Area Specific Plan, Central Area Specific Plan, including the developers, and the Boronda Road Congestion Relief Project to ensure consistency with the projects.
The design and permitting of the Project, included coordination with other City departments, including Fire and Community Development, and numerous outside agencies, including MST, the Water Board, USACE and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to receive final approval of the Project.
Construction has required continued coordination with the permitting agencies, the Water Board and the USACE. Funding requests and reporting are coordinated through TAMC and internally with the Finance Department.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
The approval of this appropriation has no impact on the General Fund. The requested funds were allocated to the Project by TAMC through the use of RSTP funds.
Fund
General Ledger Number
(Operating/CIP)
General Ledger Account Name
*Remaining Budget Appropriation
Amount Requested
5201
50.9510-66.4000
Capital Outlay Improvements
$1,083,465.61
$2,721,723.75
*New RSTP Grant funds are not included in this amount.
ATTACHMENT:
Resolution
2025 TAMC Master Funding Agreement Exhibit A
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