Title
Adopt a Resolution to Approve the Crosstown Corridor Study along Bancroft Avenue and Williams Street
Staffreport
COUNCIL PRIORITY
• Public Safety
• Infrastructure
• Sustainability & Resiliency
• Community Engagement and Outreach
• Race and Equity Initiatives
SUMMARY
The Crosstown Corridor Study (Study) along Bancroft Avenue and Williams Street is the culmination of a community-based planning process to improve safety, school access, and multimodal connections. The Study explored existing issues and opportunities, potential improvements, and a preferred set of recommendations reflecting the priorities and vision for both corridors. The Study builds off the City’s commitment to Vision Zero traffic safety by developing transformative safety improvements that address driver safety and enhance mobility and safety for the most vulnerable road users.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the approval of the Crosstown Corridor Study along Bancroft Avenue and Williams Street.
BACKGROUND
The Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning (STP) Grant Program was created to support the state’s goal to provide a safe, sustainable, integrated, and efficient transportation system to enhance California’s economy and livability. The program encourages and supports local planning projects that will benefit the multi-modal transportation system, improve public health, social equity, environmental justice, the environment, and provide other important community benefits.
In October 2019, the City of San Leandro applied for a Caltrans STP Grant for the Crosstown Class IV Corridors Study (Study). On June 18, 2020, the City was conditionally awarded a Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant of $349,248 and the minimum matching amount of $45,252 for a total of $394,500 for the Study.
Analysis
The Crosstown Corridors study was identified as a high priority in the 2018 Update of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (BPMP) based on a robust public planning process, review of existing data, and on the ground conditions. The Study sought to review and identify how to improve safety, access, and mobility for all roadway users along Bancroft Avenue and Williams Street. These two major corridors provide important connections to schools (six elementary, two middle and one high school), transit (two BART stations), new and planned housing developments, recreation areas, as well as regional and local parks.
Fehr & Peers, Bike East Bay and Pilot City student ambassadors led the community engagement efforts. The first phase of the community engagement focused on identifying existing conditions and mobility needs. A Project Advisory Group (PAG) was formed with representatives from AC Transit, BART, San Leandro 2050, school district, and local businesses. PAG meetings were conducted at each phase of the community engagement process. The first-round of community discussions were held at three pop-up workshops at the August 7, 2021 Farrelly Pool ribbon cutting, August 21, 2021 Bayfair Farmer’s Market, and August 25, 2021 Downtown Farmer’s Market. Project information fact sheets, available in multiple languages, were distributed by the team of student ambassadors walking door-to-door to encourage the community to provide feedback in person or online at the project website.
Using the first phase of community engagement feedback, two alternatives were developed featuring a one-way separated bike lane on both sides of the street and a two-way separated bike lane on one side of the corridor. The second phase solicited feedback on concept design options for each corridor through an online survey and community open houses. The team hosted two outdoor open houses on March 12, 2022, at John Muir Middle School and on March 19, 2022, at San Leandro High School to discuss the differences, evaluate priorities and identify the preferred alternative conceptual design.
The final phase was a full-day pop-up temporary bicycle facility installation of the preferred alternative, a two-way separated bike lane. On August 13, 2022, the community was invited to provide feedback on the experience of a temporary two-way separated bike lane at 3 locations: Williams Street in front of Halkin Elementary, Bancroft Avenue at Victoria Circle, and at Bancroft Avenue at Toyon Park.
The data received from the various outreach opportunities was compiled into a study document and conceptual plan which incorporates the feedback received as well as industry standards for this type of work. The Study developed a community-based evaluation for two major east-west (Williams Street) and north-south (Bancroft Avenue) corridors and guides the transition of San Leandro’s transportation network into a safer and more accessible system for all users. The Study identified a vision for safe and balanced pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic flow while connecting schools, parks, shopping, employment, and transit.
The research is still ongoing, but staff believes this Study and proposed project is the first of its kind in the state, and possibly the nation, to provide multimodal connectivity to elementary, middle, high, and adult schools. For San Leandro, this Study provides connectivity to 9 of the 13 schools in the City of San Leandro.
Along Bancroft Avenue:
1. Roosevelt Elementary
2. Bancroft Middle
3. McKinley Elementary
4. San Leandro High
5. Jefferson Elementary
Along Williams Street:
6. Halkin Elementary
7. John Muir Middle
8. Garfield Elementary
9. San Leandro Adult School
10. Lincoln High School (future)
Previous Actions
• On September 8, 2020, by Resolution No. 2020-110, the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute Agreement No. 74A1244 with the State of California to provide $349,248 in grant funds for the Crosstown Class IV Corridors Study.
• On April 5, 2021, by Resolution No. 21-155, the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a Consulting Services Agreement with Fehr & Peers for the Crosstown Class IV Corridors Study.
Committee Review and Actions
• Several updates on the proposed Study have been provided to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), the most recent occurring on July 20, 2022
• On November 3, 2022, the City Council Facilities and Transportation Committee reviewed and recommended approval Crosstown Corridor Study.
Applicable General Plan Policies
• Policy T-2.1 Complete Streets Serving All Users and Modes. Create and maintain “complete” streets that provide safe, comfortable, and convenient travel through a comprehensive, integrated transportation network that serves all users.
• Policy T-3.1 Citywide Bikeway System. Develop and maintain a bikeway system that meets the need of both utilitarian and recreational users, reduces vehicle trips, and connect residential neighborhoods to employment and shopping areas, BART stations, schools, recreational facilities and other destinations throughout San Leandro and nearby communities.
• Policy T-3.2 Funding. Maximize the City’s eligibility for funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and aggressively pursue such funding to complete desired projects.
• Policy T-3.3 Designing for Multiple User Groups. Recognize the dual needs of experienced cyclists relying on bicycles for commute trips and daily travel and less experienced cyclists using bicycles principally for recreation. Where needed, develop facilities designed to serve each user group, with recreational routes primarily using low-volume streets and off-street bike paths
Environmental Review
Approval to develop planning documents is statutorily exempt from further review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Any future physical changes to the environment or roadway network that requires discretionary action by the City Council will be subject to future environmental review.
Financial Impacts
This Council action does not have any financial impacts. A forthcoming recommended capital expenditures policy will be evaluated during the annual review of the City Budget and Capital Improvement Program.
ATTACHMENTS
Att A: Resolution for the San Leandro Crosstown Corridors Study
Att B: Draft Crosstown Class Corridors Study
Att C: Presentation
PREPARED BY: Sheila Marquises, Director, Engineering and Transportation Department