REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
MARY C. CHURCH, Grants Administrator
Public Works Department, Administration Division
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Authorizing the Submission of Grant Applications to the California Department of Transportation Highway Safety Improvement Program Cycle 11 Call for Projects Totaling Up to $2 Million in Requests for Funding; and Authorizing the Execution of Grant Application and Grant Agreement Documents by the Public Works Director or Designee (Council Districts 1, 3, 4 & 7)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of grant applications to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 11 Call for Projects totaling up to $2 million in requests for funding; and authorize the execution of all grant application and grant agreement documents by the Public Works Director or designee.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The HSIP Cycle 11 Call for Projects was released in May 2022. The purpose of the HSIP program is to achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. Applications are broken into two categories: Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) and Funding Set-asides (SA). There are five different SA types: Guardrail Upgrades, Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements, Installing Edgelines, Bike Safety Improvements, and Tribes. Staff is requesting authorization to submit two grant applications requesting up to $2 million in funding to the BCR and Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements SA. A list of proposed projects is attached. The proposed projects were selected based on the City of Fresno System Local Roadway Safety Plan (SSAR), HSIP cost benefit ratio calculations, and citywide accident and fatality data from the last 3 to 5 years.
BACKGROUND
On May 9, 2022, Caltrans released the Cycle 11 Call for Projects for HSIP. The HSIP call for projects typically occurs every two years. Authorizing legislation for HSIP comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which was signed into law on November 15, 2021. Under the IIJA, the HSIP program, codified as Section 148 of Title 23, United States Code (23 U.S.C §148), is a core federal-aid program to States for the purpose of achieving a significant reduction in fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. California's Local HSIP focuses on infrastructure projects with nationally recognized crash reduction factors (CRFs). Projects submitted to the HSIP program must be identified on the basis of crash experience, crash potential, crash rate, or other data-supported means. A total of approximately $210 million in funds are available this cycle. The State is allowed to exchange State funds with Federal funds. It is expected that State funds will be used for all projects selected in Cycle 11.
HSIP guidelines prioritize funding for projects which improve roadway safety using the most cost-effective methods feasible, with minimal need for right of way acquisition. The selection of HSIP projects is a data driven process based on collision history. Applicants are directed to review roadway network collision data, pairing appropriate Local Roadway Safety Manual (LRSM) countermeasures to areas with high rates of severe accidents or fatalities. A safety countermeasure is an improvement to a roadway that has a demonstrated effectiveness in reducing specific collision types. For example, according to the LRSM, adding pedestrian countdown equipment to a signalized intersection that has a history of pedestrian involved collisions may reduce the likelihood of future (non-DUI) collisions by 25%.
There is a total of $174 million in funding for the BCR category. A project’s eligibility under the BCR category is based on the following variables: recent accident type(s), severity of accidents, project costs, proposed countermeasure(s), crash reduction factors, and the expected “life” of the countermeasures selected. A BCR calculation based on these variables is performed using a formula provided in the grant application package to determine final eligibility for HSIP funding. In Cycle 11, a BCR score of 3.5 or greater is required to apply for funding. This is a minimum threshold, and projects with a higher BCR are more likely to be funded. There is no limit on the number of applications an agency can submit to the BCR category; however, an agency may not exceed $10 million in total BCR requests.
There is a total of $36 million in funding for the five SA types: Guardrail Upgrades, Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements, Installing Edgelines, Bike Safety Improvements, and Tribes. Projects sought under the SA category do not require BCR calculations or accident review but are limited to no more than one application per agency and SA type. The maximum amount of funding is also limited to $1 million for Guardrail Upgrades and $250,000 for all other SA types.
Application 1 - Cedar Avenue Intersection Enhancements will be submitted to the BCR category. This project will include improvements at two intersections: Cedar Avenue and Shields Avenue, and Cedar Avenue and Fountain Way. This project was identified in the City of Fresno SSAR, completed in September 2020. Both intersections were on the SSAR’s top 20 list of high-risk corridors and intersections. The proposed improvements at Cedar Avenue and Shields Avenue include installation of retroreflective backing on signal heads and advanced stop bars on all approaches. The proposed improvements at Cedar Avenue and Fountain Way include installation of pedestrian-scale lighting, high-visibility crosswalks, and a High-intensity Activated crossWalK (HAWK). This project is located in Council District 4.
Application 2 - Central Fresno Pedestrian Countdown Heads will be submitted to the Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements SA category. This project will include the installation of pedestrian countdown heads at various intersections on Ashlan Avenue, Shields Avenue, and Clinton Avenue. Approximately 230 pedestrian countdown heads will be installed along these three corridors. This project is located in Council Districts 1, 3, 4, and 7.
The grant applications are due on September 12, 2022. 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 included because this resolution does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
This resolution will have no immediate impact on the General Fund. Generally, the maximum federal reimbursement ratio for an HSIP project is 90%. Should grant funds be awarded, local matching funds will be identified through future fiscal year capital budgets.
Attachments:
Resolution
Proposed Project List
Project Area Map