Title
Implementation of the Five-Year Mobility Sidewalks Program, and Authorization to Apply for ATAN Program Funding
Description
This report requests the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee recommend City Council approval to implement the five-year plan of the ADA compliant sidewalk improvements (Five-Year T2050 Mobility Sidewalks Program) to provide major street bus stop connections. Staff also requests the T&I Subcommittee recommend City Council authorization to apply for “Achieving Transit Accessibility Now" (ATAN) Program funding.
THIS ITEM IS FOR CONSENT ACTION.
Report
Summary
At the March 30, 2017 Citizen's Transportation Commission (CTC) meeting, staff presented the results of a data analysis process that resulted in two T2050 Mobility Program focus areas: (1) mobility improvement areas for further study; and (2) sidewalk improvements on major streets to make transit bus stops ADA accessible. At this meeting, the CTC recommended staff conduct additional project assessments for major street sidewalk improvements for ADA non-accessible bus stops, and conduct mobility assessments focused on pedestrian and bicycle facilities in eleven areas throughout the City.
The approved T2050 Plan allocates a total of 13.8 percent of Proposition 104 local sales tax revenues (or approximately $2.3 billion over 35 years) to the Street Transportation Department for the construction and maintenance of City roadways. To meet the Proposition 104 bicycle and pedestrian-related commitments, 15 percent of the Street Transportation Department’s T2050 program revenues is sub-allocated to the T2050 Mobility Program.
Bus Stop ADA Accessible Sidewalks Five-Year Program of Projects
After receiving direction from the CTC in March 2017, staff developed a five-year program of sidewalk projects that provide ADA connectivity to bus stops. The original list presented to the CTC identified 48 locations for improvements. Since then, 16 of the locations were removed because they will be completed by other major street improvement projects identified in the Street Transportation’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP), or the projects were located outside of right-of-way, or were not a good fit for improvements based on site constraints. Six other locations were removed due to existing City ordinances preventing installation of sidewalks in those locations, or the locations warranted a major street improvement project rather than a stand-alone sidewalk improvement. Of the initial 48 locations, 26 individual projects will move forward.
The Five-Year T2050 Mobility Program budget is comprised of unspent FY2017 and projected future (FY2018 - FY2022) T2050 Mobility Program revenues. Staff proposes to allocate half of these revenues to fund completion of 25 bus stop ADA accessible sidewalk projects, and designing and acquiring right-of-way (as necessary) for one project located at the intersection of Tatum Boulevard and Mayo Boulevard. Staff proposes to allocate the other half of the Five-Year T2050 Mobility Program revenues for future projects identified from the eleven mobility assessments currently underway.
The Five-Year T2050 Mobility Sidewalks Program Improvement Locations map (Attachment A) shows the locations of the 25 bus stop ADA accessible sidewalk improvements that will be completed between FY2018 - FY2022. The Five-Year Mobility Sidewalks Program budget and individual project cost and location information are provided in Attachment B.
The Five-Year T2050 Mobility Sidewalks Program will provide the following improvements:
- 4.2 new sidewalk miles
- 42 new ADA ramps
- 19 upgraded ADA ramps
- 2.6 new miles of paving
- 2.6 new miles of curb and gutter
- 21 upgraded street lights
- 6 relocated signal poles and/or new pedestrian pushbuttons
The Street Transportation Department is coordinating with the Public Transit Department to provide bus stop concrete pads and furniture as necessary and feasible in conjunction with the sidewalk improvements, which would be funded separately from T2050 Transit Program funds.
Achieving Transit Accessibility Now (ATAN) Program
In response to public input, the MAG Regional Council approved $2.5 million of transit funds to improve accessibility at transit stops in the MAG region. Applications from local jurisdictions for improving transit stop accessibility are evaluated on a “rolling-application” cycle with project awards totaling $500,000 every six months. The next due date for applications is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 3, 2017. The ATAN program will contribute a maximum of $40,000 per location, with a limitation that no single agency can be awarded more than 70 percent of available funding ($350,000) per application cycle.
The Street Transportation Department in partnership with the Public Transit Department will submit applications for up to $350,000 of November 2017 ATAN funding. In the event funding is awarded to the City for sidewalk projects noted in the program, additional mobility and/or sidewalk projects will be brought to the CTC and T&I Subcommittee for consideration and approval to utilize the T2050 Mobility Program funds made available through the use of ATAN funding.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
On Sept. 28, 2017, the CTC recommended approval of the Five-Year T2050 Mobility Sidewalks Program to provide major street bus stop connections, and recommended City Council authorization to apply for MAG ATAN Program funding to supplement the T2050 Mobility Program funding.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Street Transportation Department.