To: Board of Supervisors
From: Warren Lai, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Report Title: Grant applications for Cycle 12 of the Highway Safety Improvement Program, Countywide.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director, or designee, to submit grant applications to the State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for Cycle 12 of the Highway Safety Improvement (HSIP), Countywide. (Districts I, II, III, IV, and V)
FISCAL IMPACT:
The grant applications are estimated to total $5,218,000. If awarded, local grant match requirements would be typically 10%, with 90% coming from the Highway Safety Improvement Program. Typically, local grant match would be from Road Fund revenues. However, given current funding constraints, other sources would need to be identified.
BACKGROUND:
On May 6, 2024, Caltrans announced the Call for Projects for Cycle 12 of the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). This potential award of state funding will augment local road funds, stretching local dollars to build improvements that would not be possible otherwise. HSIP is a core federal-aid program to the states for the purpose of achieving a significant reduction in fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. HSIP focuses on infrastructure projects with nationally recognized crash reduction factors and must be identified on the basis of collision history. Senate Bill 137 allows the exchange of state funds with federal funds, and it is expected that state funds will be used for all projects selected for funding in HSIP Cycle 12.
Examples of eligible type of projects may include, but are not limited to, the following list:
• Intersection safety improvement
• Pavement and shoulder widening
• Installation of rumble strips or other warning devices
• Installation of a skid-resistant surface
• Improvement for bicycle or pedestrian safety
• Elimination of hazards at a railway-highway crossing
• Traffic calming feature
• Elimination of a roadside obstacle
• Highway signage and pavement markings
• Traffic control or other warning device
• Installation of guardrails, barriers, and crash attenuators
There are two application categories in HSIP Cycle 12: Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) and Funding Set-Asides (SA). Two hundred fifty-two million ($252,000,000) will be for BCR applications and forty-eight million ($48,000,000) for five Funding SAs (guardrail upgrades, pedestrian crossing enhancements, installing edge lines, bike safety improvements, and tribes). A BCR calculation is not required for applications pursuing Funding SAs.
RECOMMENDED CANDIDATE PROJECTS:
The Public Works Department recommends the following projects as candidates for Cycle 12 of HSIP funding (in no particular order) based upon collision history and initial project scoping:
1. Countywide Guardrail Upgrades Phase 3 (SA) - Bay Point, Concord, and Martinez (Districts 4 and 5)
This project proposes to upgrade existing guardrails in the unincorporated areas of Bay Point, Concord, and Martinez. This project is a continuation of systemically upgrading all guardrails in the unincorporated County.
2. Treat Blvd Corridor Improvements (SA) - Contra Costa Centre (District 4)
Installation of new bikeways from North Main St to Jones Rd are planned as part of the existing Treat Blvd Corridor Improvements project. The project is proposed for a Funding SA application to fund the bikeway component and improve safety for active transportation users.
3. Central County Crosswalk Improvements (SA) - Alamo, Pacheco (Districts 2 and 5)
Safety improvements are proposed at two uncontrolled crosswalks for this application: (i) Danville Blvd and South Ave in Alamo; and (ii) Center Ave and Deodar Dr in Pacheco. Improvements to these crossings include rectangular rapid flashing beacons, curb extensions, median refuge islands, and high-visibility striping.
4. Camino Tassajara Corridor Safety Improvements (BCR) - Camino Tassajara (District 2)
New streetlights and a centerline rumble strip are proposed for this project along Camino Tassajara from Finley Rd to Windemere Pkwy.
5. Countywide Speed Feedback Signage (BCR) - Countywide (All Districts)
This countywide project proposes to mitigate the number and severity of collisions related to unsafe speeds by installing speed feedback signs at curves within the County’s high injury network.
If authorized to proceed, staff will finalize and submit the grant applications for the recommended candidate projects by the September 9, 2024, deadline.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the Public Works Department is not authorized to submit the applications, grant funding will not be available, which will delay the design and construction of these projects.
c: Warren Lai, Public Works Director
Steve Kowalewski, Chief Deputy Public Works Director
Jerry Fahy, Transportation Engineering