Title
a. Approve a Grant Award from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for a Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Grant in the amount of $600,000 for upgrading guardrail at various locations along Carmel Valley Road, Carpenteria Road, Outlook Drive, Laureles Grade, Old Stage Road, Reservation Road, and San Juan Road;
b. Approve a Grant Award from Caltrans for a HSIP Grant in the amount of $244,500 for installation of activated overhead beacon and street lights and/or rapid rectangular beacons at the intersections of Castroville Blvd and Elkhorn Road in the community of Castroville and Rio Road at Via Nona Marie in the community of Carmel Valley; and
c. Authorize the RMA Director or Deputy Director of Administrative Services to accept, administer, and execute documents to secure these funds from Caltrans.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve a Grant Award from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for a Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Grant in the amount of $600,000 for upgrading guardrail at various locations along Carmel Valley Road, Carpenteria Road, Outlook Drive, Laureles Grade, Old Stage Road, Reservation Road, and San Juan Road;
b. Approve a Grant Award from Caltrans for a HSIP Grant in the amount of $244,500 for installation of activated overhead beacon and street lights and/or rapid rectangular beacons at the intersections of Castroville Blvd and Elkhorn Road in the community of Castroville and Rio Road at Via Nona Marie in the community of Carmel Valley; and
c. Authorize the RMA Director or Deputy Director of Administrative Services to accept, administer, and execute documents to secure these funds from Caltrans.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On July 26, 2016, the Board of Supervisors authorized the submittal of two grant applications to Caltrans for HSIP funds to upgrade guardrails at various locations within Monterey County and for crosswalk enhancements at Castroville Blvd at Elkhorn Road and Rio Road at Via Nona Marie intersections and to return to the Board for approval prior to acceptance of any grant award.
On August 5, 2016, RMA submitted the two grant applications as authorized by the Board. On March 22, 2017, Caltrans notified Resource Management Agency (RMA) Public Works of the selection of these projects for federal funding under HSIP. As a federally funded project, Caltrans will administer the grant under the County of Monterey’s Master Agreement Administering Agency-State Agreement for Federal Aid Projects, Agreement #05-5944R, approved by the Board on June 12, 2007. A copy of this Agreement is attached.
The Department anticipates soliciting proposals for the design and construction of both projects. The HSIP grant will cover the costs for the entire project including staff time. The approval of these Grant Awards is not intended to, and shall not be interpreted to, constitute a commitment by the County to undertake or commence construction of any project prior to the completion of all environmental review which may be required under CEQA.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
FINANCING:
The FY 2017-18 adopted budget and the Road Fund’s annual work program includes both the Guardrail Replacement and the Pedestrian Beacon projects, fully funded by the HSIP grant. The Road Fund 002, Appropriation Unit RMA012 includes $600,000 in appropriations and revenue for the Guardrail project and $244,500 for the Pedestrian Beacon project.
The Road Fund will provide front funding for these projects, as HSIP is a reimbursable grant. The County will bill Caltrans, who will then bill the State. With these types of arrangements, the average turn-around time from billing to payment is 60-90 days.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
These projects support the initiative to improve public safety by improving guardrails and providing crosswalk enhancements.
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
Economic Development
Administration
Health & Human Services
Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Mohammad Qureshi, Ph.D., P.E., T.E., Traffic Engineer, Traffic (831) 796-3009
Approved by: Enrique Saavedra, Acting RMA Chief of Road & Bridges
Approved by: Carl P. Holm, AICP, RMA Director
The following attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board:
Attachment A - Caltrans Award Letter
Attachment B - Master Agreement Administering Agency-State Agreement for Federal Aid
Projects