TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Clifford G. Finley, Public Works Director
DATE:April 25, 2023
SUBJECT: Lynn Road CI 5660 and Hillcrest Drive CI 5682 Bike Lanes and Pedestrian Improvements
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Adopt resolution approving Cooperative Agreement No. 07-5302 with the State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the Lynn Road Bike Lanes and Pedestrian Improvements Project (CI 5660).
2. Adopt resolution authorizing staff to file a claim with the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) for FY 2022-23 Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 bicycle/pedestrian funds in the amount of $175,000.
3. Authorize acceptance of the following grants: Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Grant in the amount of $2,511,595 from the Federal Highway Administration, Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 6 Grant in the amount of $2,602,000 from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Grant in the amount of $175,000 from the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) for the Lynn Road Bike Lanes and Pedestrian Improvements Project (CI 5660).
4. Authorize acceptance of the following grants: CMAQ Grant in the amount of $433,797 from the Federal Highway Administration, and ATP cycle 6 Grant in the amount of $2,350,000 from Caltrans for the Hillcrest Drive Bike Lanes and Pedestrian Improvements Project (CI 5682).
5. Approve budget appropriation in the amount of $5,288,595; $2,511,595 from A/C #183-0000-438-4200 (Federal Grants/Other) to A/C #183-5310-631-8300 (CI 5660, Lynn Road Bike Lanes and Pedestrian Improvements), $2,602,000 from A/C #183-0000-435-9900 (Other Revenue from State/Other Reimbursements) to A/C #183-5310-631-8300 (CI 5660, Lynn Road Bike Lanes and Pedestrian Improvements), and $175,000 from A/C #136-0000-433-0000 (Intergovernmental Revenue/Gas Tax) to A/C #136-5310-631-8300 (CI 5660, Lynn Road Bike Lanes and Pedestrian Improvements).
Lynn Rd. CI 5660 & Hillcrest Dr. CI 5682 Bike Lanes & Pedestrian Improvements April 25, 2023
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9 6. Approve budget appropriation in the amount of $2,783,797; $433,797 from A/C #183-0000-438-4200 (Federal Grants/Other) to A/C #183-5310-631-8300 (CI 5682, Hillcrest Drive Bike Lanes and Pedestrian Improvements) and $2,350,000 from A/C #183-0000-435-9900 (Other Revenue from State/Other Reimbursements) to A/C #183-5310-631-8300 (CI 5682, Hillcrest Drive Bike Lanes and Pedestrian Improvements).
7. Authorize expenditures in the amount of $150,000 from A/C #136-5310-631- 8300 (CI 5660, Lynn Road Bike Lanes and Pedestrian Improvements) to Caltrans for Cooperative Agreement support cost to provide oversight of the Project Initiation Document for the Lynn Road Bike Lanes and Pedestrian Improvements (CI 5660).
8. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
$8,072,392 Increase to the FY 2022-23 Capital Budget Fully Offset by Grant Revenue. Increase of $5,288,595 to the Adopted FY 2022-23 Grant Fund and Bicycle/Pedestrian Fund Capital Budget for the Lynn Road Improvements Project (CI 5660) including $2,511,595 from CMAQ Grant, $2,602,000 from ATP cycle 6 Grant, and $175,000 from TDA Article 3. Increase of $2,783,797 to the Adopted FY 2022-23 Grant Fund Capital Budget for the Hillcrest Drive Improvements Project (CI 5682) including $433,797 from CMAQ Grant and $2,350,000 from ATP cycle 6 Grant.
Estimated total project cost of Lynn Road Improvements (CI 5660) and Hillcrest Drive Improvements (CI 5680) are $9,768,184 and $2,890,000, respectively, which will be reflected in the upcoming biennial capital budget.
BACKGROUND:
The City has an ongoing program to improve mobility for pedestrians and bicyclists throughout the community. City Council adopted the City’s ATP Plan on December 10, 2019, which identifies and prioritizes bicycle and pedestrian improvements citywide based on several factors including pedestrian traffic volumes, proximity to schools, and road classifications.
In addition, City Council adopted a Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) on August 31, 2021. The LRSP is a comprehensive traffic safety plan performed by an independent professional traffic engineering firm, which analyzed existing collision data, assessed infrastructure deficiencies, and identified roadway safety solutions citywide. This plan provided the City with a framework to systematically analyze Lynn Rd. CI 5660 & Hillcrest Dr. CI 5682 Bike Lanes & Pedestrian Improvements April 25, 2023
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9 and identify traffic safety concerns. Included in the plan were recommendations for safety improvements throughout the City’s street network, using a data-driven evaluation that focused on causal factors rather than collisions, enabling the City to assess risks before a collision occurs.
Several pieces of state legislation continue to elevate the support for increased bicycling and walking in the State of California. These are aimed to address greenhouse gas reduction (AB 32, SB 375), social justice by providing accommodation of all users of the roadway (AB 1358), and code amendments relating to bikeways (AB 1193).
On July 20, 2022, and February 15, 2023, staff provided informational status reports to the Traffic and Transportation Advisory Commission that the City submitted grant applications for ATP Cycle 6 Grant funding and CMAQ Grant funding for the Lynn Road and Hillcrest Drive Bike Lanes and Pedestrian Improvements Projects. The City has subsequently received Federal grant funding approvals for both projects to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety on both roadways and to increase and promote the use of active modes of transportation such as biking and walking.
On December 2, 2022, and February 3, 2023, VCTC approved $5,288,595 grant funding for the Lynn Road Improvements (CI 5660) including $2,511,595 CMAQ Grant, $2,602,000 ATP Cycle 6 Grant, and $175,000 TDA Article 3 (FY 2022-23); and also $2,783,797 for the Hillcrest Drive Improvements (CI 5682) including $433,797 CMAQ Grant and $2,350,000 ATP Cycle 6 Grant.
The projects will install new Class IV protected bike lanes and pedestrian improvements on Lynn Road between Gainsborough Road and South Reino Road (Attachment #1) and on Hillcrest Drive between Lynn Road and Moorpark Road (Attachment #2), which are two of the top priority locations on the City’s ATP and LSRP plans.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
Hillcrest Drive – Proposed Improvements
Hillcrest Drive is a 7.5-mile-long arterial road that runs east/west and connects N. Westlake Boulevard in Westlake to Teller Road in Newbury Park. The road is currently striped as a one or two-lane roadway in each direction for most of its length except between Moorpark Road to Lynn Road. The 1.25-mile portion of Hillcrest Drive from Moorpark Road to Lynn Road is a six-lane divided arterial roadway with a raised center median without bike lanes and a posted speed limit of 45 mph. This segment of Hillcrest Drive has a roadway vehicle capacity of 55,300 vehicles/day (VPD); however, it only has a current average daily traffic volume of 19,000 VPD.
Lynn Rd. CI 5660 & Hillcrest Dr. CI 5682 Bike Lanes & Pedestrian Improvements April 25, 2023
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9 Identified improvements along Hillcrest Drive include converting travel lane #3 (outside lane) in each direction to a Class IV bike lane from Moorpark Road to Lynn Road, and the installation of an incomplete sidewalk segment from McCloud Avenue to Lynn Road on the north side of the street (Attachment #3). The conversion of the #3 travel lane into Class IV (protected) bike lanes along this portion of Hillcrest Drive is feasible due to excess vehicle capacity for the volume of vehicles served. The conversion of one travel lane to Class IV bike lane in each direction results in a remaining roadway capacity of 36,800 VPD, which is more than ample to serve existing and future traffic volume projections.
These improvements will also offer greater protection to bicyclists along the road, along which there have been several collisions over the years. Total project estimated cost is $2,890,000.
Hillcrest Drive Improvements Preliminary Cost Summary
Fund
001
Fund
183
Total Project
Cost
Preliminary Design/Env. $17,205 $132,795 $150,000
Right -of- Way Acquisition $50,000 $0 $50,000
Design and Environmental $38,998 $301,002 $340,000
Construction Contract $0 $2,350,000 $2,350,000
Total Costs $106,203 $2,783,797 $2,890,000
Hillcrest Drive Improvements Preliminary Schedule
Lynn Road – Proposed Improvements
Lynn Road is a 14-mile-long arterial road that runs primarily in a north/south orientation and connects the northeast and southwest corners of the City. For its entirety, Lynn Road is currently striped with standard Class II or Class II buffered bike lanes except between Gainsborough Road and US 101/Lynn Road overcrossing (southbound ramps). The section of Lynn Road from Gainsborough City Council Grant Acceptance
Design Phase - Federal Fund Authorization
Spring 2023
Summer 2023
Design Services Award Consultant Agreement Fall 2023
Environmental Document and Public Outreach Spring 2024
Traffic Commission (Design Review) Spring 2024
City Council (Design Review) Spring 2024
Design Completion Fall 2024
Construction Phase Federal Fund Authorization Winter 2024 City Council; Bid Process & Award Spring 2025
Construction Summer 2025 - Spring 2026
Lynn Rd. CI 5660 & Hillcrest Dr. CI 5682 Bike Lanes & Pedestrian Improvements April 25, 2023
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9 Road to South Reino Road stretches across the 101 Freeway, and is a 4.6-mile segment which is a four-lane divided roadway with a raised center median and posted speed limits of 45 mph to 50 mph. This major arterial roadway has segments exceeding 22,000 daily trips. The LSRP recommends installing bicycle infrastructure improvements across the US 101/Lynn Road overcrossing to minimize the conflicts between bicyclists and vehicles, improve safety, and provide the existing bicycle infrastructure connectivity.
Within the Caltrans right-of-way at US 101/Lynn Road overcrossing, the proposed improvements include roadway restriping to accommodate Class IV bike lanes, replacement of the existing barrier on the west side of the bridge with a current standard barrier, installation of new fencing with LED lighting on both sides of the bridge, conversion of northbound Lynn Road travel lane #3 (outside lane) to a new Class IV bike lane (reducing travel lanes to two lanes), and installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB’s) with advanced blinking LED signs at uncontrolled crossings (Attachment #4).
Within the City’s right-of-way, the project will feature the conversion of the existing Class II buffered bike lanes between South Reino Road and US 101/Lynn Road into Class IV bike lanes, conversion of the existing equestrian trail from Hillcrest Drive to US 101 northbound on-ramp into a Class IV bike lane, installation of high visibility bike striping and crosswalks, and installation of incomplete segments of sidewalks on Lynn Road within the project limits, which are currently not grant funded. On northbound Lynn Road between Hillcrest Drive and Gainsborough Road, improvements would include the conversion of existing Class II bike lanes to Class IV bike lanes (in the northbound direction), installation of a new pedestrian signal and crosswalk at the southern edge of Hillcrest Drive and Lynn Road intersection, and installation of pedestrian ADA curb ramps. The proposed improvements, including the number of travel lanes and the type of bike lanes, will be consistent throughout the project limits. The project is estimated to cost $9,768,184.
As part of the Caltrans project oversight and approval process for the proposed improvements within their right-of-way, Caltrans requires an initial Cooperative Agreement for the Project Initiation Document (PID) phase of the project for reviewing and approving a Project Study Report – Project Development Support (PSE-PDS) document. This document consists of extensive studies including a detailed traffic study to properly assess the impact of the overcrossing modifications. The City plans to use the TDA/Article 3 claim to compensate Caltrans’ support cost for review and approval of the PID document.
Lynn Rd. CI 5660 & Hillcrest Dr. CI 5682 Bike Lanes & Pedestrian Improvements April 25, 2023
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9 Lynn Road Improvements Preliminary Cost Summary
Fund
001
Fund
136
Fund
183
Total Project
Cost
Preliminary
Design/Env.
$33,600 $175,000 $246,000 $454,600
Right of Way
Acquisition
$50,000 $0 $0 $50,000
Design and
Environmental
$409,881 $0 $475,200 $885,081
Construction
Contract
$1,986,108 $0 $6,392,395* $8,378,503
Total Costs $2,479,589 $175,000 $7,113,595 $9,768,184
*The City will need to secure an additional $2M future grant to fund the construction of incomplete sidewalk segments on Lynn Road.
Lynn Road Improvement Preliminary Schedule
1. Caltrans Cooperative Agreement
& City Council Grant Acceptance Spring 2023
2. Design Phase Federal Fund Authorization Summer 2023
3. Design Services Award Fall 2023
4. Caltrans Project Study Report & Public Outreach Spring 2024
5. Project Report/Environmental Document Spring 2025
6. Traffic Commission (Design Review) Spring 2025
7. City Council (Design Review) Spring 2025
8. Final Design and Caltrans Encroachment Permit Spring 2026
9. Right -of- Way Phase - Caltrans Approval Spring 2026
10. Construction Phase - Federal Fund Authorization Summer 2026
11. City Council (Bid Process & Award) Fall 2026
12. Construction Fall 2026 - Spring 2028
Staff recommends adoption of the resolution approving the Cooperative Agreement with Caltrans (Attachment #5), execution of the Cooperative Agreement (Attachment #6), and adoption of the resolution authorizing staff to file a claim with VCTC for FY 2022-23 TDA Article 3 bicycle/pedestrian funds in the amount of $175,000 (Attachment #7).
This action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act because this action will not result in a direct or foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. The environmental analysis for both projects will be performed during the design and engineering process.
Community Outreach:
A 2021 public outreach effort was conducted by the City regarding the potential reduction of lanes on Hillcrest Drive from six to four and adding a buffered bike lane. The community outreach plan for Hillcrest Drive was reviewed by the Traffic Lynn Rd. CI 5660 & Hillcrest Dr. CI 5682 Bike Lanes & Pedestrian Improvements April 25, 2023
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9 Commission at their July 21, 2021, meeting. Additional Public outreach efforts completed in 2021 to receive public input on the proposal to reduce the number of travel lanes on Hillcrest Drive included direct communication with Home Owner Associations, social media postings, a dedicated page on the City website, focused mailer notifications to adjacent residents, press releases, portable message board signs, and virtual Public Meetings.
Additional community outreach efforts will be conducted for both Lynn Road and Hillcrest Drive projects during the forthcoming project design process. The February 15, 2023, Traffic Commission meeting was the first step of an extensive public outreach for these two arterial streets and an opportunity for the public to provide comments. Staff will also provide more information on the project at an upcoming City Council meeting at the time of awarding a consultant agreement for the design and engineering services for both projects. That City Council meeting will offer interested members of the public another opportunity to provide feedback to the City on the proposed pedestrian and bicycle enhancements. Upon the completion of the community outreach, traffic studies, and environmental review, the preliminary project design concepts will be brought back to the Traffic Commission for additional review in advance of the project construction phase.
These projects meet City Council’s Top Ten Priorities #5, “Public Safety” and #9, “Public Works Infrastructure Investments”.
CIP PROJECT PRIORITY (as outlined in FY 2021-22 and FY 2022-23 CIP Program Budget)
Priority Two – Necessary, but not essential, and there could be consequences if deferred.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
C. Operate City government in a fiscally and managerially responsible and prudent manner to ensure that the City of Thousand Oaks remains one of California's most desirable places to live, work, visit, recreate, and raise a family.
F. Provide and enhance essential infrastructure to ensure that the goals and policies of the Thousand Oaks General Plan are carried out and the City retains its role and reputation as a leader in protecting the environment and preserving limited natural resources.
Lynn Rd. CI 5660 & Hillcrest Dr. CI 5682 Bike Lanes & Pedestrian Improvements April 25, 2023
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9 PREPARED BY: Masoud Razavi, Engineering Associate
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – Lynn Road Vicinity and Location Map
Attachment #2 – Hillcrest Drive Vicinity and Location Map Attachment #3 – Hillcrest Drive Concept Plans
Attachment #4 – Lynn Road Concept Plans
Attachment #5 – Caltrans Cooperative Agreement Resolution Attachment #6 – Caltrans Cooperative Agreement
Attachment #7 – TDA Article 3 Claim Resolution
DPW: 850-20\ev\Council\2023\042523\CI5660\CI5682\Lynn Rd and Hillcrest Dr Bike Lane Improvements staff report.docx