TO: HONORABLE MAYOR FROM: John Ristow
AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: May 29, 2023
Approved Date
6/7/23
COUNCIL DISTRICTS: 1 & 6
SUBJECT: AMENDMENT TO THE FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH VTA FOR THE I-280/WINCHESTER BOULEVARD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to negotiate and execute a Third Amendment to the funding agreement between the City of San José and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority for the I-280/Winchester Boulevard Improvement Project to extend the term of the agreement to June 30, 2025.
SUMMARY AND OUTCOME
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is managing the development of the I- 280/Winchester Boulevard Improvement Project (Project) through the Caltrans approval process, including preliminary engineering and environmental clearance. The recommended actions provide the additional time VTA needs to lead and manage the Project's current phase. This work will advance the Project to a state of readiness that improves its competitiveness for funding opportunities, such as Senate Bill 1 programs.
BACKGROUND
The I-280/Winchester Boulevard interchange area of west San José is home to two large retail commercial centers (Westfield Valley Fair Mall and Santana Row), the Winchester Mystery House, residential development, as well as smaller commercial and retail businesses. The area is also home to the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, O'Connor Hospital, San José City College, and Stevens Creek Boulevard Auto Row. In addition to existing land uses, several Urban Village plans have been approved to bring higher density, transit-focused development to the Winchester COUNCIL AGENDA: 6/20/23
FILE: 23-921
ITEM: 2.33
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 29, 2023
Subject: Amendment to Agreement with VTA for the I-280/Winchester Boulevard Improvements Project
and Stevens Creek corridors. The concentration of current and planned destinations, along with the existing inadequate interchange, result in significant congestion that the City and VTA are working to address. (See the Attachment – Project Area Map.)
On June 23, 2015, City Council approved the funding agreement with VTA to provide the City's initial share of $250,000, combined with VTA's share of $750,000, to identify, evaluate, and prioritize a range of possible transportation-related improvements to relieve congestion and improve traffic circulation in the area. This led to the Caltrans' Project Approval and Environmental Documents (PA&ED) phase of the Project. The initial agreement with VTA expired on December 31, 2017.
The first amendment to the agreement provided necessary funding for the VTA to continue project development at the PA&ED phase. The cost of the PA&ED phase was estimated at $6,000,000, to be shared between the City and VTA. The City's share of the $6,000,000 was $2,250,000, and VTA's share was $3,750,000, of which $3,000,000 was allocated from the 2016 Measure B. The amended agreement remained in effect through December 31, 2020.
The second amendment to the agreement extended the termination date to complete the PA&ED phase and the agreement remained in effect through December 31, 2022. On December 20, 2022, the City's Director of Transportation issued a letter to VTA authorizing the extension of the funding agreement for a six-month term with an expiration date of June 30, 2023.
ANALYSIS
Over the last two years, the City, VTA, and Caltrans (Project Team) have worked to develop several viable project alternatives to advance into the Plans, Specifications, and Estimate phase.
However, due to the density of the existing project area and the constrained amount of available right-of-way, additional time was needed to coordinate with major stakeholders, City Council Offices, and other City Departments to prepare agreeable potential alternatives. After thorough analysis and coordination, the project team has identified one viable build alternative. The Project Team will continue to facilitate the environmental clearance process for the build alternative through the remainder of the PA&ED phase, per Caltrans' project development requirements.
The proposed amendment will extend the agreement term to June 30, 2025, to provide additional time for VTA to complete the environmental phase of the Project. All other terms of the funding agreement will remain in effect. The completion of the environmental phase will allow VTA to seek Caltrans' approval to proceed with the final design, right-of-way, and construction of the preferred alternative. It is important to note that funding for final design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction is not fully programmed at this time, but is anticipated to be funded by 2016 Measure B and potentially federal or state funds.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 29, 2023
Subject: Amendment to Agreement with VTA for the I-280/Winchester Boulevard Improvements Project
The Project build alternative proposes to build a new off-ramp from northbound I-280 to the Tisch Way/Hatton Street intersection to provide new access from northbound I-280, improve traffic operations and reduce congestion on local roadways. The Project will also construct a new freeway-to-freeway connector ramp to access northbound SR-17 to northbound I-280 and a new pedestrian overcrossing at Monroe Street to replace the existing pedestrian overcrossing that is currently underused and would conflict with the new northbound I-280 off-ramp. Additionally, this Project would include the following roadway improvements:
• Widening the existing Winchester Blvd bridge over I-280 by approximately 35 feet to provide enhanced bicycle and pedestrian facilities in both directions. As part of the improvement, the lane configuration on Winchester Blvd across the bridge will be modified to improve operations at both the Winchester Blvd/Moorpark Ave and the Winchester Blvd/Tisch Way intersections.
• Removal and replacement of a portion of the existing soundwalls along the north side of I-280 and east of Winchester Blvd.
• Construction of protected bike lanes and wider sidewalks on both northbound and southbound Winchester Blvd within the project limits.
• Construction of dedicated bike lanes on Tisch Way from Hatton St to Winchester Blvd.
The Project promotes mobility and equity by enhancing accessibility and safety for bicyclists and pedestrians. The Winchester Blvd corridor is classified as "high caution" on the Santa Clara County Valley Bikeways Maps. As a result of the project improvements, bicyclists would be better accommodated through the Winchester Blvd bridge widening and the construction of the new protected bike lanes. The existing Monroe pedestrian overcrossing will be replaced with a new pedestrian overcrossing that will follow Americans with Disabilities Act requirements with greater width, reduced incline slopes, and the provision of stairs at the west end of the new pedestrian overcrossing within Santana Park, thus shortening access for pedestrians walking to/from the residential and commercial areas to the west. The new pedestrian overcrossing will also enable the closure of the existing tunnel, which users have characterized as unsafe due to it being dark, narrow, and secluded.
Prior to construction, a Transportation Management Plan will be prepared to address traffic- related impacts like traffic handling at each construction stage, pedestrian safety/access, and bicycle safety/access. The Transportation Management Plan will involve public outreach/engagement through notices to neighborhoods, press releases, electronic changeable message signs, and coordination with the San José Fire Department and other emergency responders regarding temporary lane closures or detours.
Climate Smart San José Analysis
The recommendation in this memorandum aligns with one or more Climate Smart San José strategies by improving traffic operations on the local roadway, expanding bicycle/pedestrian access and transit connectivity, and facilitating regional access from northbound I-280 to the project area. The improved multi-modal network will yield benefits for bicyclists, pedestrians,
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 29, 2023
Subject: Amendment to Agreement with VTA for the I-280/Winchester Boulevard Improvements Project
and transit users. For instance, the widened Winchester Blvd bridge and buffered bike lanes will provide safer and more comfortable facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians. The project will also promote better traffic operations and transit connectivity, namely for VTA bus services like Express Route 103 which utilizes I-280, Rapid Bus Route 523 and Bus Route 23 which utilize Stevens Creek Blvd, and Bus Routes 25 and 60 which utilize Winchester Blvd.
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
Updates on this Project will be brought to the Transportation and Environmental Committee and City Council at key milestones.
COST SUMMARY/IMPLICATIONS
The third amendment does not pose any additional cost implications as it only extends the term of the agreement.
COORDINATION
This memorandum and agreement have been coordinated with the Office of the City Attorney, the City Manager's Budget Office, and Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement Department.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
This memorandum will be posted on the City's Council Agenda website for the June 20, 2023 City Council Meeting.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION AND INPUT
No commission recommendation or input is associated with this action.
CEQA
Statutory Exemption, File No. PP17-001, Feasibility and Planning Studies with no commitment to future actions.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 29, 2023
Subject: Amendment to Agreement with VTA for the I-280/Winchester Boulevard Improvements Project
PUBLIC SUBSIDY REPORTING
This item does not include a public subsidy as defined in section 53083 or 53083.1 of the California Government Code or the City's Open Government Resolution.
/s/
JOHN RISTOW
Director, Department of Transportation
For questions, please contact Zahir Gulzadah, Division Manager, at [email protected] or (408) 759-2129.
ATTACHMENT - Project Area Map
ATTACHMENT
Subject: Amendment to Agreement with VTA for the I-280/Winchester Boulevard Improvements Project
Project Area Map