REPORT TO BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
SUBJECT
Title
Transportation Fund for Clean Air Funding Recommendations (Yee)
Report
BACKGROUND
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District oversees the Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) grant program that is funded by a $4 surcharge on motor vehicles registered in the Bay Area. The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is designated to administer part of the program funds to local agencies. Approximately $2.5 million in grant funds are anticipated to be available to award for fiscal year 2021/22.
Eligible uses for this grant must go towards reducing motor vehicle emissions, through things such as bicycle projects, transit programs, and traffic signal timing.
DISCUSSION
The VTA issued a Call-for-Projects on December 11, 2020 for the FY 2021/22 TFCA funding cycle. The application deadline is March 5, 2021 and the funding must be spent prior to June 2023.
In previous funding cycles, the program consisted of two categories: (1) an amount reserved for projects in the 2013 VTA Bicycle Expenditure Program and (2) an amount used for competitive applications. An eligible bicycle project in category 2 must complete the design and construction of a project in the adopted Countywide bicycle plan.
Last year, staff did not recommend any bicycle projects for TFCA funding because the City did not have enough local funds to apply for bicycle projects. TFCA funding amounts are limited and based on roadway length and daily vehicle traffic.
For the current funding cycle, the VTA changed category 1 to be used for any bicycle project within category 2. The VTA board recognized funding was limited and increased the amount of funding available for bicycle projects for this cycle.
Staff reviewed the top 40 priority projects in the 2018 Bicycle Plan Update and identified 18 eligible projects. Of these projects, six are on the VTA Measure B 10-year priority list, four require additional study, four have existing funding, and four do not have any identified funding.
Since TFCA funding is limited, staff recommends applying for TFCA funding to upgrade bicycle facilities in locations where streets will be repaved. Of the four projects in need of funding, three are on roadways anticipated to be repaved in the next five years (Attachment 1). These roadways are listed below:
1. Mission College Boulevard from Great America Pkwy to Montague Expwy
a. Project #31 for Class IV protected bicycle lanes
b. Potential grant of $96,500
2. Lafayette Street from State Route 237 to Agnew Rd
a. Project #38 for Class IV protected bicycle lanes
b. Potential grant of $137,000
3. Scott Boulevard from Calabazas Creek to Monroe St
a. Project #40 for Class II buffered bicycle lanes
b. Potential grant of $173,000
Staff is confirming if these roadways will be repaved prior to June 2023 (the anticipated deadline for FY 2021/22 TFCA funds). If a project is anticipated to be completed after this date, staff will apply for funding in the FY 2022/23 TFCA funding cycle.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve staff recommendation to apply for the FY 2021/22 TFCA funding cycle for up to three projects: Mission College Boulevard from Great America Pkwy to Montague Expwy; Lafayette Street from State Route 237 to Agnew Rd; and Scott Boulevard from Calabazas Creek to Monroe St.
Staff
Written by: Jonathan Yee, Transportation Manager, Public Works
Reviewed by: Carol Shariat, Principal Transportation Planner, Public Works
Approved by: Michael Liw, Assistant Director/City Engineer, Public Works
ATTACHMENTS
1. Map of Recommended Projects for TFCA FY 2021/22 Funding Cycle