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CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: April 15, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Lynn Merrill, Director of Public Works;
Azzam Jabsheh, Deputy Director of Public Works/City Engineer Department: Public Works
Subject: Resolution Approving Cooperative Agreement No. 25- 1003341 with the San Bernardino County Transportation
Authority for the Palm Avenue / I-215 Interchange
Improvements Project (PID, PA/ED, and PS&E Phases) and
the Appropriation of $2,427,600 in Funding for the Project (Ward 5 and 6)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California adopt Resolution No. 2026-041:
1. Approving Cooperative Agreement No. 25-1003341 between the City of San Bernardino and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) for the Palm Avenue / I-215 Interchange Improvements Project (PID, PA/ED, and PS&E Phases); and
2. Authorizing the Director of Finance and Management Services to approve the appropriation of Measure I Funds in the amount of $678,100 for FY 26/27 and two appropriations of Regional Circulation funds in the amount of $874,750 for FY 27/28 and $874,750 for FY 28/29; and
3. Authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute the Cooperative Agreement and any necessary administrative documents to implement the project in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
City Manager's Comments
The City Manager recommends approval.
Executive Summary
The proposed Cooperative Agreement between the City of San Bernardino and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) establishes roles, 3 2
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responsibilities, and funding commitments for the Project Initiation Document (PID), environmental clearance (PA/ED), and final design (PS&E) phases of the Palm Avenue / Interstate 215 Interchange Improvements Project. The project is identified in the SBCTA Measure I 2010-2040 Strategic Plan and the Valley Interchange Program as a high-priority regional transportation improvement. The proposed improvements include widening freeway ramps, widening Palm Avenue to provide dual left-turn lanes, replacing the I-215 bridge over Palm Avenue, and making intersection improvements at Kendall Drive and Hallmark Parkway.
The total estimated cost for the PID, environmental, and design phases is $7.3 million, with SBCTA contributing $4.37 million (64.3% public share) and the City contributing $2.93 million (35.7% development share). $500,000 in Traffic Safety funds were previously approved for the project in the adopted FY 2025-2026 Capital Improvement Program; as a result, an additional $2,427,600 in funding is needed, which will come from Measure I Funds and Regional Circulation Funds. Approval of the agreement will allow SBCTA to proceed with environmental review and design activities for the project.
Background
The Palm Avenue / Interstate 215 interchange is an important regional connection that provides access between the I-215 freeway corridor and key arterial routes serving northern San Bernardino. Over time, increasing traffic volumes and development in the surrounding areas have resulted in congestion and operational challenges at the interchange.
To address these conditions, the City requested SBCTA to initiate improvements to the interchange. Planned improvements include:
• Widening the northbound and southbound on- and off-ramps • Widening Palm Avenue to provide dual left-turn lanes
• Replacing the I-215 bridge over Palm Avenue
• Constructing tie-back retaining walls at the bridge undercrossing • Improving intersections at Kendall Drive and Hallmark Parkway.
The cooperative agreement establishes SBCTA as the lead agency responsible for advancing the project through the PID, environmental, and final design phases.
Discussion
Under the proposed agreement, SBCTA will provide project management and lead delivery services for the PID, PA/ED, and PS&E phases. These services include selecting consultants, preparing environmental documentation, coordinating with Caltrans and other regulatory agencies, and managing the design process.
SBCTA will also coordinate with the City through a Project Development Team (PDT) process to ensure City input during project development. The City will participate in project oversight, provide reviews and approvals of project documents, and reimburse 3 2
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SBCTA for the City’s agreed share of project costs.
This agreement is limited to the planning and design phases only. Funding and implementation of right-of-way acquisition and construction phases will require a separate cooperative agreement in the future and additional funding.
Project Schedule
The anticipated project schedule includes:
Milestone Forecast Date
Start of Project Approval & Environmental Document
(PA)ED)
December 2026
Environmental Approval December 2029
Final Design Approval April 2032
The anticipated environmental determination for the project is an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) under CEQA and an Environmental Assessment (EA) under NEPA.
The total estimated cost for the PID, PA/ED, and PS&E phases of the project is $7,300,000. SBCTA will contribute up to $4,372,400, representing the public share of the funding through the Valley Interchange Phasing Program. Each agency’s share is described as follows:
Summary of Overall Funding Structure
Funding Source Amount Percentage
SBCTA Public Share $4,372,400 64.3%
Local Development Share $2,927,600 35.7%
Total Project Cost $7,300,000 100%
Funding for this phase will be shared between SBCTA and local agencies in accordance with the SBCTA Development Mitigation Nexus Study and Measure I Strategic Plan. SBCTA will contribute $4,372,400, representing the 64.3% public share of the project cost.
The remaining 35.7% development share, totaling $2,927,600, will be funded jointly by the City of San Bernardino and the County of San Bernardino, with each agency contributing 50% of the development share
Total Local Share of $2,927,600 shared with local agency:
Agency Participation Contribution
City of San Bernardino 50% of development share $1,463,800 County of San Bernardino 50% of development share $1,463,800 Total Project Cost 100% $2,927,600
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The City of San Bernardino intends to enter into a separate Cooperative Agreement with the County of San Bernardino to establish a partnership for the development of the project. Under this agreement, the City and the County will collaborate and share responsibilities associated with the preparation of the Project Initiation Document (PID), Project Approval and Environmental Document (PA&ED), and related preliminary project development activities. Both agencies will participate in the overall cost of these phases, with each agency contributing its proportional share of funding and coordination efforts to advance the project through the early planning and environmental clearance stages. Upon completion and approval of the final design phase, the City intends to pursue federal and state funding opportunities, including the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP), for which this project is anticipated to be eligible, in order to support the construction phase of the project. 2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
Approving this agreement aligns with key Target No.3: Improved Quality of Life. Project will enhance roadway operations, accessibility, and overall corridor appearance. The Project supports the City’s goal of maintaining and improving public infrastructure that contributes to efficient transportation corridors and well-maintained community environments.
Fiscal Impact
The total estimated cost for the PID, PA/ED, and PS&E phases of the project is $7,300,000. Funding will be as follows:
Traffic Safety funds in the amount of $500,000, previously approved part of the adopted FY 2025-2026 Capital Improvement Program.
Measure I in the amount of $678,100 for FY 26/27.
Regional Circulation Fund in the amount of $874,750 for FY 27/28. Regional Circulation Fund in the amount of $874,750 for FY 28/29.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California adopt Resolution No. 2026-041:
1. Approving Cooperative Agreement No. 25-1003341 between the City of San Bernardino and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) for the Palm Avenue / I-215 Interchange Improvements Project (PID, PA/ED, and PS&E Phases); and
2. Authorizing the Director of Finance and Management Services to approve the appropriation of Measure I Funds in the amount of $678,100 for FY 26/27 and two appropriations of Regional Circulation funds in the amount of $874,750 for FY 27/28 and $874,750 for FY 28/29;
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3. Authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute the Cooperative Agreement and any necessary administrative documents to implement the project in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
Attachments
Attachment 1 Resolution No.2026-041
Attachment 2 Coop Agreement with SBCTA
Attachment 3 Location Map
Ward:
Ward 5 & 6
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
None
CC: Eric Levitt, City Manager