Title
Recommendation to Approve Implementation Phase of Federal Transit Administration Grant Funds for Improving Transit Access to and from Alameda Point. (Public Works 819099)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: John A. Russo, City Manager
Re: Approve Implementation Phase of Federal Transit Administration Grant Funds for Improving Transit Access to and from Alameda Point
BACKGROUND
On March 2, 2010, the City Council approved a funding pass-through agreement with the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) to receive $1,668,154 in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds for a transit access plan and implementation of transit service improvements. The grant was provided to analyze and create a plan to enhance transit service that would link Alameda Point and the adjacent community to the Fruitvale and 12th Street BART stations, including design and construction of pedestrian and bicycle elements, such as the Cross Alameda Trail. Since the City is not an eligible recipient of FTA funds, BART is acting as a pass-through agent for the grants, and the City as a subgrantee serves as the project manager. The FTA grant provides $1.29 million in funding for the implementation phase, and requires a minimum of 20 percent in additional matching funds.
The draft Regional Transit Access Study (RTAS) represents the first phase of this project (Exhibit 1). City staff and the Nelson Nygaard consulting team presented an introductory document to the Transportation Commission (TC) on July 25, 2012. The draft RTAS also was presented to the TC on June 26, 2013 and to a joint meeting of the TC and the Planning Board (PB) on September 30, 2013. At the joint TC/PB meeting, staff was directed to return to the TC with the RTAS report and a recommendation on the implementation phase of the FTA grant project. The TC approved the implementation phase of the FTA funds at a special meeting on April 23, 2014.
DISCUSSION
The Transportation Element of the General Plan identified the need for reliable and efficient connections to the regional transit system as a critical component of future developments, especially at Alameda Point, Alameda Landing and the Northern Waterfront. The development of major transit corridors that link Alameda Point to the BART system is considered a key feature for future development of the site given the projected traffic demand and congestion levels at Alameda's estuary crossings.
The RTAS includes an evaluation of potential rapid bus transit corridors and improvements to reduce future development's dependency on cars by making commutes to BART via transit faster than driving. Some of the improvements recommended by the RTAS include dedicated travel lanes for bus service in combination with high-occupancy transit vehicles, enhanced boarding platforms, queue jump lanes and signal priority measures to minimize travel time and maximize potential ridership. Bicycle and pedestrian linkages between Alameda Point and existing transit stops at Webster Street and Ralph Appezzato Memorial Parkway (RAMP), such as the Cross Alameda Trail, also are important in facilitating transit ridership and connections to BART.
AC Transit staff provided comments on the RTAS, which are summarized in a letter from AC Transit dated September 13, 2013 (Exhibit 2). City staff responses to AC Transit staff key comment on RTAS are as follows:
· Relocation of Line 51A corridor: City staff has concluded that the City, and its residents/businesses, will be better served by maintaining Line 51A on Santa Clara Avenue instead of relocating it to Lincoln Avenue. AC Transit is currently working on the Line 51 Corridor Delay Reduction and Sustainability (CDRS) project that proposes improvements to increase travel speed and operations reliability along the length of the corridor. The TC approved the recommended improvements to reduce delays at the October 23, 2013 TC meeting. The proposed improvements along Santa Clara Avenue make sense only if Line 51A remains on Santa Clara Avenue. City staff wants to capitalize on this potential investment in Alameda's busiest transit corridor.
· Rapid bus routing concept: City staff understands the concerns that AC Transit staff has expressed as to the exact configuration of the proposed rapid bus service along the Line 51A corridor. City staff looks forward to working with AC Transit staff to better define how the rapid and local bus services will run along the Line 51A corridor.
· Proposed route in Oakland: City staff agrees with AC Transit staff that a shortened and simplified rapid bus service route running on Broadway through downtown Oakland would be preferred. City staff will continue to work with City of Oakland staff to improve the Oakland routing.
· Service from Alameda Point to Fruitvale BART: City staff agrees with AC Transit staff that rapid bus service between Alameda Point and Fruitvale BART will be a longer term goal. The rapid bus service will try to reach as many key destinations as possible to try to capture intra-Alameda trips.
· Phasing and service delivery: City staff will continue to work with AC Transit staff on the phasing of the improved bus service in Alameda, and will include AC Transit in the process of selecting the operator of any future shuttle services to help integrate the shuttles into the larger bus network.
· One-way bus lane on Ralph Appezzato Memorial Parkway: City staff intends to work closely with AC Transit staff and local stakeholders in developing an agreed upon street section for RAMP between Webster Street and Main Street, including whether dedicated bus lanes should be one- or two-way.
Next Steps for FTA Grant Implementation Phase
Based on the RTAS and on discussions with AC Transit regarding the CDRS project and other future transit service to and from Alameda Point, City staff proposes the following next steps to complete the implementation phase of the FTA grant:
1. Queue Jump Lane Extension: Allocate $500,000 in FTA implementation funds to AC Transit for construction of a queue jump lane extension for buses along Webster Street between Willie Stargell Avenue and Atlantic Avenue/Ralph Appezzato Memorial Parkway, along with other pedestrian safety improvements and amenities, as part of AC Transit's Line 51 CDRS project. These improvements were included in AC Transit's CDRS Line 51 project. The Webster Street/RAMP bus stop is the busiest transit stop in Alameda for AC Transit's Line 51, which connects Alameda to 12th Street, 19th Street, Fruitvale and Rockridge BART stations. AC Transit staff and consultants will take the lead on design and construction of this project. This approach will leverage AC Transit funding, enhance the improvements and amenities being provided by AC Transit, and ensure a quicker turnaround time for project completion. It is expected that AC Transit will commence construction of the CDRS project this summer and will be completed no later than 2015.
2. Cross Alameda Trail: Combine the remaining $787,440 in FTA implementation funds with the $991,000 in Measure B bicycle/pedestrian discretionary grant funds to conduct outreach, design and construct the Cross Alameda Trail along RAMP between Main Street and Webster Street for a total Cross Alameda Trail budget of $1.78 million. This project will include developing a street section for RAMP between Webster Street and Main Street in concert with AC Transit, BikeWalk Alameda and other local stakeholders, which will resolve the outstanding issue of one-way versus two-way dedicated transit lanes and the exact configuration of the Cross-Alameda Trail along this corridor. The Measure B monies only cover outreach, design and construction of the Cross Alameda Trail on RAMP between Webster Street and Poggi Street. Thus, the recommended combined FTA + Measure B trail project will act as a crucial pedestrian and bike connection between new development planned at Alameda Point and the intersection of Webster Street and RAMP, which offers existing transit and shuttle stops to BART. Specifically, this corner offers a stop for the Estuary Crossing Shuttle to Lake Merritt BART station and for AC Transit's Line 51, 20, 31, O and W, which provide access to 12th Street, 19th Street, Fruitvale and Rockridge BART stations as well as to San Francisco. The design process for this portion of the Cross Alameda Trail will include a community outreach process, which is anticipated to commence this summer. Construction is expected to be completed by December 2015.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund. The FTA grant provides $1.29 million in funding for the implementation phase, in addition to a minimum of 20 percent in matching funds, which the City exceeds when combining the Measure B bike/pedestrian discretionary funds, totaling $991,000. The first phase of this project is referenced in the Capital Improvement Program as "Station Area Plan (BART/FTA)" (91004).
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action does not affect the Alameda Municipal Code. The projects directly support General Plan Transportation Element as shown below:
• Objective 4.3.2, "Enhance opportunities for pedestrian access and movement by developing, promoting, and maintaining pedestrian networks and environments."
• Policy 4.3.3.a, "Maintain and implement the Bicycle Master Plan with regard to physical system improvements (especially the identified priority projects), as well as programs and policies relating to encouragement, education and enforcement."
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this project is Categorically Exempt under the CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) - Existing Facilities and 15304(b) - Minor Alterations to Land and 15304(h). In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, this project is a Categorical Exclusion under 23 Code of Federal Regulations 771.117(c): activity (c)(3) - Construction of bicycle and pedestrian lanes, paths and facilities.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve implementation phase of FTA grant funds for improving transit access to and from Alameda Point.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert G. Haun, Public Works Director
By,
Gail Payne, Transportation Coordinator
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Fred Marsh, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Regional Transit Access Study
2. AC Transit Letters