REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: JILL GORMLEY, TE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Traffic and Engineering Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Authorize the submission of a grant application for $4,055,000.00 in formulaic grant funds for the Herndon Avenue BNSF Bridge Widening Project (Polk to Milburn) from the Local Partnership Program and Authorizing the execution of all grant documents and agreements by the Director of Public Works or designee. (Council District 2)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the resolution authorizing the submission of an application for $4,055,000 in formulaic grant funds for the Herndon Avenue BNSF Widening Project (Polk to Milburn) from the State of California Local Partnership Program (LPP) and authorize the execution of all grant documents and agreements by the Director of Public Works or designee.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff is requesting authorization to apply for formulaic grant funds from the LPP, with the support of the Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA). Formulaic grant funds are allocated by the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to the region through the FCTA. The City will prepare an application to seek $4,055,000 in funds for the Herndon Avenue BNSF Bridge Widening Project (Polk to Milburn). The City may also apply for additional LPP Formulaic grant funds made available in future funding cycles. The recommended action is consistent with the multi-year Measure C regional funding plan, which has been previously approved by the Boards of the Fresno Council of Governments and the Fresno County Transportation Authority.
BACKGROUND
The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB1 gas tax) created the LPP and continuously appropriates two hundred million dollars ($200,000,000) annually to be allocated by the CTC to local or regional transportation agencies that have sought and received voter approval of taxes (such as Fresno County’s Measure C), or that have imposed fees which are dedicated solely for transportation improvements. Sixty percent of the funding is allocated through formula, while the remaining forty percent is distributed via competitive and incentive programs. Eligible projects include improvements to the state highway system, transit facilities, and rolling stock, improvements to the local road system and bicycle and pedestrian safety or mobility, air quality improvement/mitigation projects, and sound walls.
On March 25, 2020, the California Transportation Commission adopted the 2024 LPP Formulaic Funding Share Distribution for fiscal years 2025/26 and 2026/27. The formulaic program allocation to the Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA) is $4,055,000 equally divided across two fiscal years. The LPP requires agencies match funds awarded to projects at a minimum 1:1 ratio or 50% share of costs. The FCTA is responsible for nominating eligible projects and has recommended the Herndon Avenue BNSF Bridge Widening Project (Polk to Milburn) for funding in fiscal year 2025/26 and 2026/27.
Herndon Avenue is designated as a six-lane expressway in the City of Fresno 2035 General Plan. Over the past twenty years, the City has widened Herndon Avenue from four to six lanes in segments as funds became available through Federal and State grants, Measure “C” and development impact fees. The widening of Herndon Avenue to six lanes from State Route (SR) 99 to DeWolf Avenue is also a regional project in the Measure “C” Tier 1 Urban program. The existing four-lane segment between Polk Avenue and Milburn Avenue is the last remaining bottleneck along the regional circulation project between SR 99 and DeWolf Avenue. This project will remove the bottleneck and improve circulation along Herndon Avenue, and close a gap between terminating Class I trails on either side of the overpass, increasing the safety of both pedestrians and bicyclists.
Measure C funding awarded to the project to date totals $18,509,000. Developer fees comprise $5,563,000 of the project estimate. The City intends to leverage these funds as a local match towards federal and state funding sources for the project.
The current cycle of formulaic grant funds from the LPP must be allocated by June 2025. The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the Resolution as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this item is not a project for the purposes of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable because this resolution does not include a bid or award of a construction services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
This resolution will have no impact on the General Fund. Should the formulaic grant be awarded, local matching funds will come from Measure C. No funds will be expended prior to CTC allocation and formal notice to proceed documentation is received, ensuring the availability of funds before costs are incurred.
Attachments:
Vicinity Map
Resolution