To: Board of Supervisors
From: Warren Lai, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Report Title: Agreement between Contra Costa County and the Department of Transportation for a feasibility study of the Vasco Road Corridor Safety Improvements Project, Byron area.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director, or designee, to execute a Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program Grant Agreement between Contra Costa County and the Department of Transportation (DOT) for a feasibility study of the Vasco Road Corridor Safety Improvements Project, Byron area. (District III)
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% Rural and Tribal Assistance Program Funds
BACKGROUND:
Vasco Road is a principal arterial that serves as an important inter-county connection between east Contra Costa County and the adjacent Alameda County. It is a major commuter and truck route that serves over 24,000 vehicles daily, and it provides an alternative to the congested Interstate 680 and State Route 4 corridors. Vasco Road consistently ranks highest on Contra Costa County’s road network for annual number of collisions and three fatalities have occurred in the first half of 2023, which has made evident the need for additional safety improvements along the 12-mile length of road. To address these safety concerns, a feasibility study is needed to determine appropriate countermeasures and future improvements. On June 15, 2023, the DOT issued the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program grant opportunity. The Public Works Department submitted an application for the Vasco Road Corridor Safety Improvements Project and on November 20, 2023, the DOT announced an award of $320,000 to Contra Costa County to retain a consultant for the planned study. Since March 2024, the Public Works Department has coordinated with the DOT to establish the performance goals and measurements of the study, identified on page 9 of the grant agreement, and to finalize the terms of the grant agreement. On May 31, 2024, County Counsel reviewed and approved the agreement as to form. Upon execution, the performance period of the agreement will begin on August 1, 2024.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the Public Works Department is not authorized to execute the grant agreement, funding will not be available for the study.
c: Warren Lai, Public Works Director, Steve Kowalewski, Chief Deputy Public Works Director, Jerry Fahy, Transportation Engineering