To: Board of Supervisors
From: Brian M. Balbas, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Report Title: Grant applications for the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program for Fiscal Year 2023/2024, Saranap and Bay Point areas.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director, or designee, to submit three grant applications to the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program for Fiscal Year 2023/2024 for the Olympic Boulevard Corridor Trail Connector Project, Boulevard Way Complete Streets Study, and Bay Point Enhanced Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements Study, Saranap and Bay Point areas. (Districts II and V)
FISCAL IMPACT:
80% Federal Funds and 20% Local Road Funds.
BACKGROUND:
On November 30, 2023, the DOT issued the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the RAISE grant program under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also referred to as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” or “BIL”). In the notice, the DOT solicits applications for surface transportation projects that will have a significant local or regional impact that advance safety, equity, climate and sustainability, workforce development, job quality, and wealth creation. Applications must be submitted by February 28, 2024.
The DOT has authorized and appropriated $1.5 billion to be awarded annually as part of the RAISE program. The grant program categorizes applications as either: (a) planning grants for pre-construction activities; or (b) capital grants for projects that include construction activities. The County intends to apply for three planning grants, the allowable maximum, for this cycle of the RAISE program.
The DOT will evaluate applications based on eight merit criteria: (1) safety; (2) environmental sustainability; (3) quality of life; (4) mobility and community connectivity; (5) economic competitiveness and opportunity; (6) state of good repair; (7) partnership and collaboration; and (8) innovation.
RECOMMENDED CANDIDATE PROJECTS:
Public Works staff recommends submitting grant applications for the following projects summarized below:
1. Olympic Boulevard Corridor Trail Connector Project (District 2)
This project is to complete further design of improvements proposed in the 2015 Olympic Corridor Trail Connector Study. The scope of the design work is Olympic Boulevard from Interstate 680 to Pleasant Hill Road and improvements include new and widened sidewalks plus Class II bikeways.
2. Boulevard Way Complete Streets Study (District 2)
This project will evaluate the feasibility of implementing a road diet on Boulevard Way from Interstate 680 to Saranap Avenue and constructing a pedestrian path from Kinney Drive to Olympic Boulevard. The feasibility study will focus on safety and traffic calming measures as well as active transportation enhancements and will include public outreach to support the design of future improvements.
3. Bay Point Enhanced Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements Study (District 5)
This project will evaluate the feasibility of implementing enhanced bicycle and pedestrian facilities, including Class IV bicycle facilities and green infrastructure, in Bay Point, specifically on: 1) McAvoy Road, starting at McAvoy Harbor and the Bay Point Regional Shoreline, across railroad tracks to Port Chicago Highway, 2) along Port Chicago Highway to Willow Pass Road, and 3) Willow Pass Road from the Evora Road-westbound State Route 4 ramps intersection to the border with the City of Pittsburg.
If authorized to proceed, staff will finalize and submit the grant applications for both projects by February 28, 2024.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the Public Works Department is not authorized to submit the application, grant funding will not be available, which will delay the design and construction of these projects.