To: Board of Supervisors
From: Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee
Report Title: Caltrans Fiscal Year (FY) 2027-28 Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant program
Recommendation: Recommendation of a Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
AUTHORIZE the Conservation and Development Director, on behalf of the County, to apply for and accept three grant applications for projects on Concord Avenue (Contra Costa Boulevard to Iron Horse Trail), the Olympic Corridor (Lafayette/Moraga Trail to Iron Horse Trail), and Marsh Creek Corridor (Clayton to Round Valley Regional Preserve), not to exceed $700,000 (per application) to Caltrans for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027-28 Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant program to develop multimodal transportation planning projects, as recommended by the Transportation, Water & Infrastructure Committee.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Staff time for preparing grant applications is accommodated within existing, approved budgets. If awarded, the Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant requires an 11.47% local match, which can be in cash or an in-kind contribution (e.g., staff time). A combination of staff time and existing Measure J funds would be used to satisfy the local match requirement (eligible under Measure J Expenditure Plan).
BACKGROUND:
At the September 28, 2026 Transportation Water & Infrastructure Committee (Committee) meeting, Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) staff presented for the Committee’s consideration a request to submit applications to Caltrans for the FY 2027-28 Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant program. Three candidate projects, described in more detail later in this report, were submitted. As recommended by staff, the Committee moved to recommend the Board of Supervisors authorize the DCD Director to submit Caltrans grant applications for the candidate projects.
Candidate projects described in this authorization request are derived from the following Board of Supervisors-adopted planning documents:
• County General Plan (2024)
• County Active Transportation Plan (2022)
• County Vision Zero Action Plan (2022)
• Olympic Boulevard Corridor Trail Connector Study (2015)
• Marsh Creek Corridor Multi-Use Trail Feasibility Study (2023)
DCD provides the following staff recommendations for candidate projects and requests authorization to submit these applications to compete for funding.
Caltrans Grant Program
August 2026, Caltrans issued a call for projects for the Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant (STPG) competitive funding program ($17.9 million available statewide). The purpose of the STPG program is to encourage local and regional planning that supports state goals, implements Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Sustainable Communities Strategies (SCS) (where applicable), and to ultimately achieve the State’s greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target of 40 and 85 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 2045, respectively. Successful planning projects are expected to directly benefit the multimodal transportation system while also improving public health, social equity, environmental justice, the environment, and providing other important community benefits. The grant request maximum is $700,000, and for each award an 11.47% minimum local match is required (in cash or an in-kind contribution). The three candidate projects were selected based on current DCD Transportation Planning staff capacity. Final applications are due October 9, 2026.
Recommended Candidate Projects
Concord Avenue Complete Streets (bicycle/pedestrian safety improvements):
In 2022, the Board of Supervisors adopted two plans, the County Vision Zero Action Plan and County Active Transportation Plan. Both identified Concord Avenue as a key connection with a significant gap in bicycle and pedestrian access between Downtown Concord and major destinations like Diablo Valley College and the Sun Valley Shopping Center. The proposed study segment (approximately 0.9 mile) includes (from west to east) the intersection of Chilpancingo Parkway/Concord Avenue/Contra Costa Boulevard (City of Pleasant Hill), through the Interstate 680 underpass (Caltrans), to the County/City of Concord boundary, Walnut Creek Flood Control Channel and Iron Horse Regional Trail. The Concord Avenue Complete Streets Study would, in collaboration with the Cities of Concord and Pleasant Hill, analyze a road diet that provides crossing enhancements, a bikeway connection, and safety improvements for all users. The project cost is estimated at $700,000 with requested funds at $619,710 ($80,290 local match).
Olympic Blvd Trail Connector Study:
June 2015, the Board of Supervisors adopted the Olympic Boulevard Corridor Trail Connector Study which analyzed potential connections between two multi-use regional trails in Contra Costa County - the Lafayette-Moraga Trail and the Iron Horse Regional Trail - with low stress, convenient, and family friendly bicycle and pedestrian facilities (approximately 2.5 mile study segment). Since then, advancement in best practices (e.g., National Association of Transportation Officials guidance) has now warranted re-evaluation of previously adopted design concepts. County staff will use grant funds for this reevaluation and develop 30% design* for a low stress, convenient and family friendly bicycle and pedestrian connection between the Lafayette-Moraga Trail and the Iron Horse Regional Trail. The County will partner with neighboring agencies (cities of Lafayette and Walnut Creek), which to date have implemented or are progressing toward implementing bicycle/pedestrian improvement projects within the Olympic Corridor. The project cost is estimated at $700,000 with requested funds at $619,710 ($80,290 local match).
Marsh Creek Corridor Multi-Use Path:
May 2023, the Board of Supervisors adopted the Marsh Creek Corridor Multi-Use Trail Feasibility Study that assessed the opportunity to close an approximately 13-mile trail gap and develop a new multi-purpose recreational facility along the Marsh Creek and Marsh Creek Road corridor. Study outcomes included a phased implementation approach for a new multi-use path that would create a new major non-motorized east-west thoroughfare and continuous non-motorized path from Downtown Concord to Oakley. County staff will use grant funds to advance 30% design of the 2022 Marsh Creek Corridor Trail Connector Feasibility Study concepts. The project cost is estimated at $700,000 with requested funds at $619,710 ($80,290 local match).
*30% design is the preliminary design step before detailed engineering that identifies, for example, roadway geometry, grades, existing roadway layouts (vehicle lanes, shoulders, medians, sidewalks, etc.), public right-of-way and private property layouts, environmental constraints and potential impacts.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The County would not submit grant applications for funding to advance the recommended candidate projects, and therefore advance County policies.