Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Ann M Stillman, Director of Public Works
Subject: Santa Cruz Avenue/Alameda de las Pulgas Complete Street Project - Grant Applications
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation to:
A) Adopt a resolution supporting an application to the San Mateo County Transportation Authority for Cycle 6 Pedestrian and Bicycle Program Funding for Phase I Santa Cruz Avenue Complete Street Project; and
B) Adopt a resolution supporting an application to the San Mateo County Transportation Authority for Cycle 6 Pedestrian and Bicycle Program Funding for Phase II Alameda de las Pulgas Complete Street Project.
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BACKGROUND:
The Santa Cruz Avenue and Alameda de las Pulgas corridor from Sand Hill Road to Avy Avenue serves as a key connection between communities in unincorporated San Mateo County, the City of Palo Alto, Stanford University, and the City of Menlo Park. It also provides local access to the West Menlo Park area, including several schools. The corridor is currently auto-oriented and is also a main route for cyclists and buses. There are “Share the Road” pavement markings for bicyclists and autos. SamTrans and school bus stops are located along the corridor. The community requested that the Department of Public Works (Department) evaluate improvements to this corridor to enhance corridor safety and accessibility for multi-modal usage.
Funded primarily by Measure K funds, the Santa Cruz Avenue and Alameda de las Pulgas Improvements Study (Study) identified and assessed potential improvement measures. These measures are consistent with goals and objectives identified through a robust community outreach effort led by a Task Force of community members, fire and law enforcement officials, and Department staff.
This Board adopted the Study in October of 2020, which approved the Santa Cruz Avenue and Alameda de las Puglas Improvements Project. Some of the safety improvements identified during the process were implemented by the Department until the larger project could be implemented, which included: reduced speed limit to 25 miles per hour, added radar speed feedback signs, added “Share the Road” bicycle pavement markings, extended keep clear pavement markings, added traffic delineators at Menlo Commons, updated high-visibility “ladder-style” crosswalks, modified signal timing at Sharon Road to give pedestrians a “head start,” reducing conflicts by modifying signals to create gaps for residents entering/exiting the roadway, and removed the free-right turn lane from northbound Santa Cruz Avenue at Alameda de las Pulgas.
In December 2020, the Department was awarded funds from the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA) for Cycle 5 Pedestrian and Bicycle Program Funding for the design and environmental phases of the Santa Cruz and Alameda de las Pulgas Complete Streets Project (Project). This Project is currently in design and is scheduled to have final design plans completed by December of 2022. Additional funding will be required for the construction phase of this Project. The estimated cost for constructing the Project is $5,843,050.
DISCUSSION:
The Department has identified a potential funding source for construction of this Project and is seeking Board support to submit two grant applications to the TA for Cycle 6 Pedestrian and Bicycle Program Funding. The TA funding opportunity requires that a template resolution be adopted by the governing body to support and commit to local match funding for the Project.
The construction has been divided into two phases due to a maximum allowed funding amount of $2,000,000 per application:
Phase I: Santa Cruz Avenue Complete Street Project - From Sand Hill Road to 300 feet north of Campo Bello Lane at the cost of $2,985,900.
Phase II: Alameda de las Pulgas Complete Street Project - From 300 feet north of Campo Bello Lane to Avy Avenue at the cost of $2,857,150.
County Attorney has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact for supporting the grant application.