Title
Adoption of Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Submit a Request to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for the Allocation of $180,447 in Fiscal Year 2025-26 for the Neighborhood Greenway Intersection Improvements Project per Transportation Development Act Article 3 for Pedestrian/Bicycle Project Funding and to Execute All Necessary Documents.
This project is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15301(c) Existing Facilities and Section 15304(h) Minor Alterations to Land. (Planning, Building and Transportation 24462742)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Each year, the City of Alameda (City) is eligible to receive Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 funds from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) to support bicycle and pedestrian projects. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26, City staff recommends using the City’s $180,447 allocation to help fund intersection crossing improvements along the Phase 1 Neighborhood Greenways, specifically the Slow Streets segments of Pacific Avenue, Versailles Avenue and San Jose Avenue/Morton Street, as well as at the intersection of Pacific Avenue and Wilma Chan Way. Additional funding needed for these improvements will come from the Capital Budget and grant funds.
BACKGROUND
Under Public Utilities Code Sections 99233.3 and 99234, the TDA provides funding for pedestrian/bicycle projects, programs and plans in the nine-county MTC region. MTC makes annual allocations of TDA Article 3 funds to eligible cities and counties based on population, following a countywide process led by the counties or congestion management agencies. All cities and counties in the Bay Area are eligible to claim funds under TDA Article 3. The City’s share for this fiscal year is $180,447. Any unused funds will carry over to the following fiscal year.
DISCUSSION
In 2024, City staff began implementing Neighborhood Greenways per the Active Transportation Plan, which calls for constructing nine Greenways by 2030 as part of a low-stress backbone bikeway network. In September 2024, staff brought an implementation phasing plan to the City Council, starting with converting existing Slow Streets to Neighborhood Greenways. The City then began community outreach and design efforts for the three Phase 1 streets (Pacific Avenue, Versailles Avenue and San Jose Avenue/Morton Street) and began applying for grant funding to support the work.
A key feature of Neighborhood Greenways is making it safer and more comfortable for people to cross busier streets while walking and biking. This TDA funding would help the City pay for the more expensive infrastructure needed at these crossings and would also count toward the local match requirements for upcoming grant funding.
As design work progresses for the Phase 1 streets, multiple intersections have been identified for upgrades such as flashing beacons, high visibility crosswalks, and corner bulb outs. Additionally, last fall, the City Council approved submitting a grant application to the Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) to upgrade several Neighborhood Greenway intersections. This includes a pedestrian hybrid beacon at Pacific Avenue and Wilma Chan Way, and concrete bulbouts and flashing beacons at Pacific Avenue and Sherman Street. Alameda CTC staff recommended funding for this project, which requires a local match, so it is likely the project will be awarded funds later in May.
ALTERNATIVES
• Approve staff recommendation to allocate $180,447 to fund this project.
• Not allocate any TDA funds in FY 2025-26 and instead hold the funds in reserve to be used in a future year for different bicycle/pedestrian projects or programs.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Authorizing staff to apply for the TDA grant funds will increase available funding for transportation projects by $180,447 in FY 2025-26, subject to future City Council appropriations approval. If the City does not apply for an allocation of these funds for FY 2025-26, the funds would still be available to be used in future years for other bicycle/pedestrian projects or programs.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
The City Strategic Plan includes TIE #9: Convert Slow Streets to Neighborhood Greenways as directed in the Active Transportation Plan and TIE #10: Plan, Design and Construct a backbone low-stress bicycle network, pedestrian safety, and traffic calming projects. Alameda’s Active Transportation Plan (2022) includes the 2030 Infrastructure Plan with nine Neighborhood Greenways in the 2030 Low Stress Backbone Network.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
City Council previously found this project categorically exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) Existing Facilities (Minor alterations to existing facilities including bicycle facilities) and Section 15304(h) (Minor Alterations to Land and the creation of bicycle lanes on existing public rights of way), each on a separate and independent basis.
CLIMATE IMPACT
The Climate Action and Resiliency Plan Update (2025) found that transportation accounts for over 50% of the City’s GHG emissions, and that moving people out of automobiles is paramount to reducing transportation-related emissions.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit a request to MTC for the allocation of $180,447 in Fiscal Year 2025-26 for the Neighborhood Greenway Intersection Improvement Project per TDA Article 3 for pedestrian/bicycle project funding and to execute all necessary documents.
Respectfully submitted,
Allen Tai, Planning, Building and Transportation Director
By,
Rochelle Wheeler, Senior Transportation Coordinator
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director