Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Steve Monowitz, Director, Planning and Building Department
Subject: Moss Beach State Route 1 Congestion and Safety Improvements Project funding request for 2025 Highway Program Call for Projects and filing of an application for State Transportation Improvement Program funding
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation to:
A) Adopt a resolution supporting the Moss Beach State Route 1 Congestion and Safety Improvements Project and authorizing submittal of an application for the San Mateo County Transportation Authority’s (TA) 2025 Measure A and Measure W Highway Program Call for Projects; and
B) Adopt a resolution authorizing the filing of an application for funding assigned to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), committing any necessary matching funds, and stating assurance to complete the Moss Beach State Route 1 Congestion and Safety Improvements Project.
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BACKGROUND:
Moss Beach State Route 1 (SR-1) Congestion and Safety Improvements Project
In 1980, the Board and the California Coastal Commission approved San Mateo County’s Local Coastal Program (LCP). In April 1981, the County assumed responsibility for implementing the California Coastal Act in the unincorporated area of San Mateo County’s coastal zone, including issuance of coastal development permits.
Local Coastal Program Policy 2.53 requires that a comprehensive transportation management plan be developed to address the cumulative traffic impacts of residential development on the San Mateo County Midcoast. The County prepared the San Mateo County Midcoast Comprehensive Transportation Management Plan (Connect the Coastside) as the comprehensive transportation management plan for the San Mateo County Midcoast to meet the requirements of LCP Policy 2.53 as well as other needs of County residents and visitors. Connect the Coastside aims to address Midcoast mobility, to protect coastal resources and public access, and to improve livability for Midcoast residents. The Board adopted Connect the Coastside on July 26, 2022 by Resolution No. 079050.
Preparation of Connect the Coastside included engaging community members and agency stakeholders, such as Caltrans, to identify safety and operational improvements along SR-1 in unincorporated Moss Beach. Recommended improvements include but are not limited to: intersection controls (signals or roundabouts) at the intersections of SR-1 with 16th Street, California Avenue, and Cypress Avenue; marked pedestrian crosswalks; Class 1 bicycle and pedestrian path on east side of SR-1; Class 2 bike lanes on SR-1; and bus stop improvements (collectively, the “Moss Beach SR-1 Congestion and Safety Improvements Project <https://www.smcgov.org/planning/moss-beach-sr-1>” or “Project”).
A Project Initiation Document (PID) is required to be developed and approved by Caltrans before any major or high complexity project can be programmed and constructed on the State Highway System. On November 9, 2021, the Board adopted Resolution No. 078532 supporting the Project, authorized a submittal of a funding application for San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA) 2021 Measure A and Measure W Highway Program Call for Projects to develop a Project Study Report-Project Development Support (PSR-PDS) PID, and committed $125,000 in matching funds for the Project if awarded funds by the Transportation Authority. The County requested technical assistance from the TA to act as the implementing agency for the Project, while the County is the sponsor agency. The County was awarded funding and technical assistance and completed the project initiation phase, with Caltrans approving the PSR-PDS on February 28, 2024.
The approved PSR-PDS allowed the Project to move to the next phase of development: Project Approval and Environmental Document (PAED). The PSR-PDS included two potential “Build Alternatives” for the Project, which are further evaluated in PAED. On October 17, 2023, the Board adopted Resolution No. 080007 supporting the Project, authorized a submittal of a funding application requesting $3,231,000 through the 2023 TA Measure A and Measure W Highway Program Call for Projects for the PAED phase, and committed up to $359,000 in matching funds. The County was awarded funding and is currently advancing the PAED phase.
Highway Program
In 1988, San Mateo County voters passed the original Measure A sales tax, which included funding for specific highway projects listed in the 1988 Transportation Expenditure Plan. In 2004, the voters of San Mateo County reauthorized the Measure A Program and approved an extension of the existing half-cent transportation sales tax for 25 years from 2009 through 2033. The 2004 Transportation Expenditure Plan provides that 27.5 percent of the sales tax revenue is dedicated to the highway program, with 17.3 percent committed to projects on state highways known as Key Congested Areas and 10.2 percent for Supplemental Roadways for projects on highways and other roadways.
In 2018, the voters of San Mateo County approved Measure W, a new 30-year half-cent sales tax for transportation programs and projects that took effect July 1, 2019, and expires June 30, 2049. The Measure W Congestion Relief Plan allocates 22.5 percent of Measure W revenue to highway congestion improvements.
In 2021, the TA Board of Directors adopted the Short-Range Highway Plan (SRHP) and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to support future investment decisions for the Measure A Highways and Measure W Countywide Highway Congestion categories. The SRHP incorporates the Measure A goals along with the new Measure W core principles and is the policy foundation for making highway program investment decisions. In 2025, the TA Board of Directors adopted an updated list of candidate projects eligible for Measure A Highway Program Supplemental Roadways Category.
On July 11, 2025, the TA issued a Call for Projects for the Measure A and Measure W Highway Program funds. Up to $200 million may be made available between both measures for projects that best meet the program evaluation criteria.
State Transportation Improvement Program
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) are responsible for developing the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The City/County Association of Governments (C/CAG) is the County Transportation Agency, and in coordination with the San Mateo County Transportation Authority and Caltrans, is the STIP administrator for San Mateo County and is responsible for identifying regionally significant projects that align with the San Mateo Countywide Transportation Plan’s policy to prioritize STIP funds for major highway improvements. In June 2025, C/CAG requested local jurisdictions and eligible sponsors submit eligible transportation projects to be considered for the 2026 STIP, which will program funding for the five-year period of FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31.
DISCUSSION:
During the current PAED phase, the project team is conducting studies to analyze the impact of the Project’s potential Build Alternatives on the environment and preparing a draft environmental document for public circulation in February 2026. Once environmental documents are finalized, the Project can be formally approved by Caltrans, allowing it to move to the next phase of development called Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PSE). During the PSE phase, Project information is reviewed and updated, a build alternative is selected, detailed design and engineering reports are prepared, permits and approvals are coordinated, and right-of-way requirements and procurement are initiated.
Staff has prepared a funding application for consideration for the TA’s 2025 Measure A and Measure W Highway Program Call for Projects to fund the PSE phase of the Project. If funds are awarded to the Project through the 2025 Highway Program Call for Projects, the Project’s timeline would remain on schedule, minimizing delays between finalizing the environmental document and the start of PSE, as the next opportunity to apply for Highway program funds is 2027.
The proposed funding request of $6,750,000 would support in part:
1. A consultant team following Caltrans procedures and requirements for the PSE phase;
2. Caltrans staff time for oversight; and
3. County staff time to review and coordinate.
The TA requires a minimum 10 percent cash match of the total phase cost ($750,000). The Department is working with the County Executive's Office to identify the source of the local match if and when the grant is awarded. If awarded, the Project would facilitate implementation of Connect the Coastside and the Local Coastal Program. A key eligibility requirement of the TA’s Highway Program is a resolution of local support for the Project. Failure to adopt the resolution will make the County ineligible for the funds, if awarded by the Transportation Authority. The Department of Public Works also intends to submit a funding request to the TA 2025 Measure A and Measure W Highway Program Call for Projects for the Alpine Road Corridor Project, which would be submitted to the Board for consideration separately; Department and Public Works staff are coordinating accordingly.
In response to C/CAG’s request, Staff prepared a STIP funding request of $8,500,000 for FY 2030-31 toward the Project’s future construction phase. To apply for and receive future STIP Program funding, the County must submit an application to C/CAG and MTC with a resolution adopted by the Board. Failure to adopt the resolution will make the County ineligible for the funds if awarded. The resolution is in a template form as required by MTC and provides assurances that the County will complete the work, comply with regulations under the Program, and commit the necessary local matching funds. The Department will continue to seek funds through the TA and other external sources to support future Project phases, including construction, and to identify the necessary required County matching funds. Staff anticipates a local match of $2,300,000 will be needed toward the Project’s construction phase beginning in FY 2030-31. If the STIP funding request is approved by C/CAG, MTC, and the CTC, the Department will continue to work with the TA and C/CAG in FY 2030-31 to ensure the construction phase complies with the funding procedures, delivery milestones, and funding deadlines.
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the resolutions as to form.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
The Moss Beach SR-1 Congestion and Safety Improvements Project will positively impact residents and visitors in Moss Beach, including youth, older adults, and those with no or limited access to a vehicle, by increasing multimodal transportation options to access local services and destinations, such as the Post Office, central Moss Beach business area, Moss Beach Park, church, and coastal resources. The Project will increase safety for all roadway users by creating safer pedestrian crossings, slowing vehicular speeds, enhancing access to bus stops, and providing a dedicated bicycle and walking path.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The County will provide up to $750,000 in required matching funds if the County is awarded the requested $6,750,000 in funding through the TA 2025 Measure A and Measure W Highway Program Call for Projects. A portion of the required matching funds are included the Planning and Building Department’s FY2025-27 Recommended Budget.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Project Area Map and Build Alternatives
B. Project Factsheet