Title
Adopt Four Resolutions to Authorize the City Manager to File Applications for Alameda County Transportation Commission Administered Funding for: 1) the Regional Emergency Stabilization for Coastal Utility and Egress (RESCUE); 2) East 14th Street North Area Pedestrian Lighting; 3) Fairway Drive Traffic Calming; and 4) Safe Routes to School Pedestrian Safety Enhancements Projects, and Committing any Necessary Matching Funds and Stating Assurances to Complete the Projects
Staffreport
COUNCIL PRIORITY
• Quality of Life
• Economic Development
• Public Safety
• Infrastructure
SUMMARY
The Resolutions will authorize the City Manager to file grant applications to the Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) 2028 Comprehensive Investment Program (CIP) requesting:
• $3,749,000 in grant funding for the design, environmental, and construction phases of the Regional Emergency Stabilization for Coastal Utility and Egress (RESCUE) Project
• $862,500 in grant funding for the construction phase of the East 14th Street North Area Pedestrian Lighting Project
• $1,394,250 in grant funding for the construction phase of the Fairway Drive Traffic Calming Project
• $495,000 in grant funding for the design and construction phases of the Safe Routes to School (SR2S) Pedestrian Safety Enhancements Project
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommend approval of four resolutions that authorize the City Manager to file grant applications with the Alameda CTC 2028 CIP for the RESCUE, East 14th Street North Area Pedestrian Lighting, and Fairway Drive Traffic Calming Projects, and Safe Routes to School (SR2S) Pedestrian Safety Enhancements Project.
BACKGROUND
The Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) is responsible for planning, funding and delivering transportation projects and programs within Alameda County. This includes the programming of certain federal, state, regional and local transportation funding. The Comprehensive Investment Plan (CIP) is Alameda CTC’s near-term strategic planning and programming document through which fund sources administered by Alameda CTC are programmed through a consolidated process to maximize investments in transportation infrastructure and program operations needs that are essential for enhancing, developing and maintaining the county’s multi-modal transportation system.
The Alameda CTC Safe Routes to School (SR2S) Capital Grant Pilot Program aims to enhance safe access and mobility to schools and remove barriers for students to bike and walk to school.
The 2028 CIP includes a call for projects for $200 million in combined Alameda CTC administered discretionary local funding sources, including Measure BB, Vehicle Registration Fee (VRF), Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA), I-580 Toll Revenues, Federal One Bay Area Grant Program Cycle 4 (OBAG 4), and Community Action Resource and Empowerment (CARE) funding for eligible capital projects and programs within Alameda County.
In addition, the SR2S Capital Grant Pilot Program contains $4 million in available Alameda CTC Administered Funding through the 2028 CIP.
Per the Alameda CTC CIP 2028 Program Guidelines, applicants may request up to a maximum of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) for each capital improvement project submitted for consideration. Each applicant may submit up to four (4) 2028 CIP applications.
Applicants may also submit one (1) additional application for the Alameda CTC SR2S Capital Grant Pilot Program for a maximum request up to one million dollars ($1,000,000).
As outlined in Alameda CTC’s 2028 CIP Program Guidelines, project applications will be scored based on:
• Project Readiness
• Project Need
• How the Project will benefit intended users by advancing the four goals of the Alameda CTC Countywide Transportation Plan (CTP):
o Safety
o Equity
o Climate
o Economic Vitality
Following these scoring guidelines, project applications are awarded points for:
• Benefitting MTC-identified Equity Priority Communities (EPCs)
• Enhancing transportation safety on the Countywide Active Transportation High Injury or Proactive Safety Networks (HIN/PSN)
• Addressing climate change and emission reductions by improving transit, bicycle or pedestrian access or vehicle congestion
• Improving access to established Priority Development Areas (PDAs), Transit-Oriented Communities (TOCs) or Priority Production Areas (PPAs).
To apply and receive discretionary funding available from the Alameda CTC 2028 CIP the City Council must adopt a resolution of local support to submit concurrently with each CIP application.
Analysis
To determine which four (4) projects would be submitted for consideration for the Alameda CTC 2028 CIP, staff evaluated and ranked prospective infrastructure improvement projects for competitiveness based on the scoring rubric described above. Based on this evaluation, staff recommend submitting the following applications for the Alameda CTC 2028 CIP:
1. RESCUE - $3,749,000 for design, environmental, and construction
2. San Leandro LINKS Shuttle Program - $489,000 for continued Shuttle Operations
3. East 14th Street North Area Pedestrian Lighting - $862,500 for construction
4. Fairway Drive Traffic Calming Project - $1,394,250 for construction
A recommendation to City Council to adopt a resolution of local support for the LINKS Shuttle Program is discussed under separate file # 26-312 on tonight’s City Council Agenda.
Regional Emergency Stabilization for Coastal Utility and Egress (RESCUE)
The RESCUE project responds to ongoing shoreline erosion threatening the structural integrity of the Bay Trail and the emergency vehicle access route it provides. Without intervention, continued erosion may result in trail failure and closure, disrupting regional trail connectivity and emergency response. The project will install engineered shoreline protection, reconstruct the shoreline slope, and restore a segment of the Bay Trail Segment 4042 to maintain safe public access and emergency response capability.
The San Leandro Shoreline and Bay Trail corridor are heavily utilized by residents and visitors for walking, biking, commuting, and recreation. Based on regional trail usage estimates and the population within the surrounding service area, the project is expected to benefit:
• ~90,000 residents of San Leandro
• Over 2.7 million residents of Alameda County who access the Bay Trail network
• 1 million people visit the Marina park annually
• Thousands of daily and weekly trail users traveling through the regional trail system
Protecting this segment ensures continued access to the 500-mile planned regional Bay Trail network, which connects communities throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Maintaining this shoreline corridor preserves regional recreation, active transportation opportunities, and emergency response access for surrounding neighborhoods. The City is seeking funding to support the design, environmental, and construction of the project.
East 14th Street North Area Pedestrian Lighting
The East 14th Street North Area Pedestrian Lighting project was initiated to enhance lighting levels and improve pedestrian safety along East 14th Street between Durant Avenue and Dutton Avenue. To achieve this existing light poles will be replaced with new dual level light poles. The new poles will be installed on the existing foundations and will utilize the existing underground wiring system. Additional pedestrian lighting poles may be required at some locations and spaced between the existing locations to provide more uniform lighting coverage. Design for the project was completed in October 2025. The City now seeks funding to support construction and implementation of the project.
Fairway Drive Traffic Calming
The Fairway Drive Traffic Calming Project was identified in the City’s 2024 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan as a priority bicycle corridor recommending class IV separated bike lanes. The Project proposes to install Class IV separated bike lanes on Fairway Drive from Doolittle Drive to Nicholson Street and safety improvements at the UPRR at-grade crossing located east of Catalina Street. The City received Discretionary Measure BB funding for the design of the Fairway Drive Traffic Calming Project. As the design phase nears completion, the City is seeking construction funding for the project.
Safe Routes to School (SR2S) Pedestrian Safety Enhancements
The City may submit one (1) additional application to the Alameda CTC SR2S Program Capital Grant Pilot Program as part of the 2028 CIP. Staff recommend submitting an application for the SR2S Pedestrian Safety Enhancements Project, requesting $495,000 in funding.
In 2024, an Alameda CTC SR2S School Safety Assessment (SSA) was hosted for schools in San Leandro, which included 11 schools in the San Leandro Unified School District as well as 3 schools in the San Lorenzo Unified School District. The purpose of each SSA was to identify potential issues related to the safe and efficient travel of walking or rolling students and their families around each school campus and to identify improvements that could be made to respond to those issues.
The SR2S Pedestrian Safety Enhancements Project was identified from recommendations of the SSAs. The Project proposes for pedestrian safety enhancements such as high visibility crosswalks, yield lines, daylighting, signage, upgraded curb ramps, and flashing beacons at the following schools in San Leandro - Corvallis Elementary School, Roosevelt Elementary School, Washington Elementary School, and Washington Manor Middle School.
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.
• Policy T-3.7.C - Pedestrian and Bicycle Crossing Improvements: Improve crossings for pedestrians and cyclists at intersections in the City through the use of variable pavement materials, small curb radii, bulb outs, street trees and landscaping near corners, and other measures which shorten pedestrian crossings or increase driver awareness of non-vehicle traffic.
• Policy T-7.2 - Capital Improvements: Identify capital improvements and other measures which improve the safety of bicyclists, pedestrians, and motor vehicles on San Leandro streets.
• Policy T-7.3 Street Lighting. Improve street lighting in a way that addresses public safety and security concerns and provides adequate night-time visibility while still achieving energy conservation goals and protecting the privacy of adjacent properties. A priority should be placed on improvements in higher density housing areas and in areas where growth is expected under this General Plan, such as Downtown San Leandro. Streetlight improvements also should be required as new infill development takes place
• Policy T-7.5 Coordination with Schools. Work collaboratively with local school districts and school administrators to address pick-up, drop-off, parking, safety, and other traffic-related issues around school campuses
• Policy T-7.7 Funding. Pursue grants for the improvement of pedestrian, bicycle, and motor vehicle safety, including a greater focus on traffic law and speed enforcement
Environmental Review
RESCUE Project
The project will undergo environmental review and obtain environmental clearance in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
East 14th Pedestrian Lighting North Project
The project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act according to Public Resources Code §21084 and CEQA Guidelines Article 19, Section 15301 “Existing Facilities”.
Fairway Drive Traffic Calming Project
The project is statutorily exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per Public Resources Code Sec. 21080.25(b)(1). The Notice of Exemption was filed with the Alameda County Recorder’s Office on April 15, 2025.
SR2S Pedestrian Safety Enhancements Project
The project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act according to Public Resources Code §21084 and CEQA Guidelines Article 19, Section 15301 “Existing Facilities”.
Financial Impacts
Projects awarded Alameda CTC 2028 CIP funds are required to provide a twenty-five percent (25%) local match. Anticipated funding for the respective local match requirements are discussed below. If any of the projects are selected to receive 2028 CIP funding, staff will return to Council to accept the grant award and identify the local match funding at that time.
RESCUE Project
The Project estimated total costs are as follows:
Design $1,250,000
Environmental $250,000
Construction Management: $500,000
Construction $3,000,000
Total $5,000,000
If the City is awarded the requested $3,749,000, it must commit to providing $1,251,000 in matching funds for the RESCUE Project. Staff anticipate that the City’s local match could be funded through a combination of Shoreline Fund and General Fund sources.
East 14th Street North Area Pedestrian Lighting Project
The Project estimated total construction costs are as follows:
Construction Management & Support $185,000
Construction $780,000
Contingencies $185,000
Total $1,150,000
If the City is awarded the requested $862,500, it must commit to providing $287,500 in matching funds for the construction of the East 14th Street North Area Pedestrian Lighting Project. Staff anticipate that the City’s local match can be funded through future Gas Tax revenue and will be programmed in the Capital Improvement Project Biennial Budget Cycle for FY 2028 and FY 2029.
Fairway Drive Traffic Calming Project
The Project estimated total construction costs are as follows:
Construction Management $174,300
Construction $1,510,400
Contingencies $174,300
Total $1,859,000
If the City is awarded the requested $1,394,250, it must commit to providing $464,750 in matching funds for the construction of the Fairway Drive Traffic Calming Project. Staff anticipate that the City’s local match could be funded through future Gas Tax revenue and will be programmed in the Capital Improvement Project Biennial Budget Cycle for FY 2028 and FY 2029.
SR2S Pedestrian Safety Enhancements Project
The Project estimated total costs are as follows:
Project Administration $36,000
Design $50,000
Construction $492,000
Contingencies $82,000
Total $660,000
If the City is awarded the requested $495,000, it must commit to providing $165,000 matching funds for the design of the SR2S Pedestrian Safety Enhancements Project. Staff anticipate that the City’s local match could be funded through the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Transportation Development Act Article 3 (TDA-3) funding.
ATTACHMENTS
A: Draft Resolution - RESCUE
B: Draft Resolution - E 14th North Area Pedestrian Lighting
C: Draft Resolution - Fairway Dr Traffic Calming
D: Draft Resolution - SR2S Pedestrian Safety Enhancements
PREPARED BY: Robin Chee, Associate Engineer and Iman M. Fawzy, Assistant Engineer, Public Works Department