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...
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