To: Board of Supervisors
From: Warren Lai, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Report Title: Agreement between Contra Costa County and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority for the I-80 San Pablo Dam Road Interchange Reconstruction - Phase II Project, San Pablo area.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director, or designee, to execute a Funding Exchange Agreement (Agreement) between Contra Costa County and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) for costs pertaining to the I-80 San Pablo Dam Road Reconstruction - Phase II Project (Project), San Pablo area. (District I)
FISCAL IMPACT:
The County will allow CCTA to utilize County’s Measure J funds now in exchange for future programming of 2028 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) funding. (100% Local Road funds)
BACKGROUND:
The Interstate 80 (I-80) San Pablo Dam Road interchange provides access between residential areas north and east of the interchange and Bay Area employment centers. The interchange currently experiences severe peak hour congestion, resulting in extensive delays. Future traffic forecasts indicate that existing congestion is projected to increase, resulting in further deterioration of traffic operations. The City of San Pablo and CCTA identified the Interstate 80/San Pablo Dam Road Interchange Improvements Project, which would reconstruct the existing I-80 San Pablo Dam Road interchange (including modifications to the El Portal Drive and McBryde Avenue ramps) and provide improved pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
To match available funding, the Interstate 80/San Pablo Dam Road Interchange Improvements Project was designed to be completed in two phases. Phase I relocated the El Portal Drive on-ramp to westbound I-80 to the north, extended the auxiliary lane along westbound I-80 between San Pablo Dam Road off-ramp and El Portal on-ramp, and reconstructed the Riverside Avenue Pedestrian overcrossing. Construction of Phase I was completed in 2017.
Phase II comprises constructing a new connector road on the west side of I-80 to connect San Pablo Dam Road to McBryde Avenue with a new bridge over Wildcat Creek, reconstructing the on- and off-ramps to San Pablo Dam Road, replacing the existing San Pablo Dam Road overcrossing with a six-lane structure, and realigning Amador Street.
The Project is identified as a high-priority Measure J project to the City of San Pablo, the County, and the west subregion of Contra Costa County. The Project, led by CCTA, has a project cost estimate of $160 million and faces a significant funding shortfall. In the past three years, CCTA was successful in securing $19.7 million for the Project from SB1 - Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP), but more funding is needed.
CCTA staff intend to submit a State grant application for Senate Bill 1 (SB1) funds in November 2026 to cover the funding shortfall, but a commitment of local matching funds must be demonstrated. CCTA wishes to exchange portions of its share in the 2028 STIP, which may not be used as the local matching funds for the State grant application, with Measure J funds programmed for the County’s Pacheco Boulevard Realignment and Widening Project. This Agreement would allow CCTA to demonstrate the local matching of funds needed. Under the terms of the Agreement and contingent upon CCTA successfully securing SB1 funds, CCTA staff will program $9.13 million in 2028 STIP funds for the Pacheco Boulevard Realignment and Widening Project in return for releasing now $8.3 million in Measure J funds that are currently programmed for said project.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the Public Works Director, or designee, is not authorized to execute the Agreement, a funding exchange would not occur, and CCTA staff would not be able to submit a State grant application due to the inability to demonstrate a commitment of local matching funds. Additionally, the County would not receive an augmentation of funding for the Pacheco Boulevard Realignment and Widening Project.