Title:
Title
Highway Safety Improvement Program Cycle 10 Grant Application
End
FileID
File ID: 2020-00880
Location
Location: Citywide
End
Recommendation:
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution: 1) authorizing the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee to submit an application for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Grant (Cycle 10) for pedestrian crossing enhancements; and 2) upon award of the HSIP Grant (Cycle 10), authorizing the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee to execute a grant agreement and any related grant documents.
FileName
Contact: Leslie Mancebo, Transportation Planner, (916) 808-5581; Jennifer Donlon Wyant, Transportation Planning Manager, (916) 808-5913; David Edrosolan, Interim City Traffic Engineer, (916) 808-5974, Department of Public Works
Body
Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Resolution
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has announced the Cycle 10 Call for Projects for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funds, which funds projects to address demonstrated safety issues on public roads. The application due date is October 19, 2020. City Council approval is required to submit the applications for grant funding.
Recommended Project: Given the competition among agencies across the state for HSIP grants, the candidate projects must be competitive in order to increase the probability of getting funded. The Transportation Division of the Department of Public Works routinely evaluates the City’s roadway network as part of proactive safety management to review traffic operations and identify potential safety improvements. The project identified meets the above-mentioned guidelines and criteria for the HSIP grant and represent the most competitive candidate project to apply for the subject grant.
The following project is recommended for HSIP Grant Application:
Pedestrian crossing enhancements at 4 locations throughout the City. The application will request $250,000 (the maximum allowed per grant guidelines) to install rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) at the following locations identified by the Transportation Division of the Department of Public Works:
• Crossing Alhambra Boulevard at X Street
• Crossing Folsom Boulevard at Seville Way
• Crossing Raley Boulevard at Santa Ana Avenue
• Crossing W Street at 8th Street
Policy Considerations: As part of the 2018 Vision Zero Action Plan, the City Council adopted the goal of eliminating all traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2027. HSIP is a transportation infrastructure grant program with the sole focus of delivering traffic safety projects that can be designed and constructed expeditiously. Funding the projects identified in the background section of this report is also consistent with the City’s General Plan goal to promote and support economic vitality by investing in infrastructure development to support sustainable growth.
Economic Impacts: None
Environmental Considerations:
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): This activity involves submitting HSIP grant applications. Since submitting grant applications does not have a potential for causing significant effects on the environment, it is not subject to CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3). Any projects funded with the subject grant will undergo appropriate environmental review.
Sustainability: The projects identified for HSIP grant applications are consistent with the City’s Sustainability Master Plan and are aimed at addressing the goals and targets set forth in the Transportation Infrastructure and Air Quality Focus Areas by improving and optimizing transportation infrastructure.
Commission/Committee Action: None
Rationale for Recommendation: The recommendations are aligned with staff’s continued work to improve traffic safety through the City Council adopted 2018 Vision Zero Action Plan actions:
• Action 4.2. Improve safe pedestrian and bicycle access to transit stops along key bus routes and near light rail stations.
• Action 5.7. Install at least 10 pedestrian crossing treatments on the HIN.
For applications under the Funding Set-asides (SA) category, a benefit cost analysis or a BCR is not needed. In Cycle 10, there are four (4) Funding Set-aside categories, one of which is for pedestrian crossing enhancements. Staff identified four locations in which Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) are feasible enhancements. The projects recommended for HSIP grant applications are consistent with Caltrans’ guidelines and criteria for the subject grant and represent the most competitive candidate projects. The background section of this report summarizes Caltrans’ guidelines and criteria pertaining to selection of the projects for the HSIP grant funding. Obtaining grant funding for the recommended projects will provide an opportunity to enhance overall transportation safety citywide.
Financial Considerations: The estimated total cost of the proposed project is approximately $380,000, of which $250,000 is eligible for grant funding. The estimated local funds needed to cover costs ineligible for grant funding will be $130,000. The total cost and required local funds may vary in the final applications depending on the final scope of individual projects. If the requested grant is awarded by Caltrans, required local funding match will need to be provided through local transportation funds previously allocated to the Active Transportation Program (T15180400). If successful, staff will return to City Council to establish the Capital Improvement Project, appropriate funding, and transfer the required local funds.
There are no General Funds planned or allocated for these projects.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
Background: The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has announced Cycle 10 Call for Projects for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funds. This Call for Projects is targeted for approximately $220 million of federal HSIP funds based on the estimated programming capacity in the Federal Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (FSTIP). Each jurisdiction may apply for up to $10 million of grant funding in Benefit Cost Ratio category (benefit cost ratio required) and up to $250,000 in the Funding Set Aside category for Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements (no benefit cost ratio required).
Caltrans’ Guidelines and Criteria: The guidelines for the HSIP grant require that federal funds be expended on safety projects that can be designed and constructed expeditiously. For a project to be eligible for HSIP funding, a specific safety problem must be identified, and the proposed countermeasure(s) must substantially address the condition. Additionally, the projects shall not require the acquisition of significant rights of way, nor should they require extensive environmental review and mitigation.