Title
a. Approve the submittal of High Risk Rural Roads grant applications to Caltrans; and
b. Authorize the Director of Public Works, or his designee, to act as the agent for the County in processing all documentation to secure these funds.
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve the submittal of High Risk Rural Roads grant applications to Caltrans; and
b. Authorize the Director of Public Works, or his designee, to act as the agent for the County in processing all documentation to secure these funds.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Approval of this item will allow the Resource Management Agency (RMA) - Department of Public Works (PW) to apply for High Risk Rural Roads (HR3) grant funds for County roadway projects. The RMA - PW is currently analyzing and prioritizing several roadway projects that will compete statewide for High Risk Rural Roads (HR3) grant funds. The applications are due in July 2012. Caltrans has not yet finalized/published the guidelines, instructions or application forms. Due to the uncertain release of the documents listed, and the application deadline, the RMA - PW requests the Board approve and authorize the Director of Public Works to apply for HR3 grant funds.
The HR3 program is a component of the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), which was introduced by Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA-LU) as a new set-aside provision, and is set-aside after HSIP funds have been apportioned to the states.
The intent of HR3 funds is to reduce the frequency and severity of collisions on rural roads by correcting or improving hazardous roadway location or features. Eligible projects must be located on "high risk rural roads." High risk rural roads include roadways functionally classified as rural major or minor collector, or rural local roads on which the accident rate for fatalities and incapacitating injuries exceeds the statewide average; or that will likely have increases in traffic volume that are likely to create an accident rate for fatalities and incapacitating injuries that exceed the statewide average.
Eligible projects include but are not limited to: intersection safety improvements; pavement and shoulder widening; installation of rumble strips or other warning devices; installation of guardrails; installation of traffic control or warning devices at location with high accident potential; improvements for pedestrians, bicyclists, and individuals with disabilities; elimination of roadside obstacles; and traffic-calming devices.
Staff is analyzing collision data along various roadways and will prepare grant applications which yield a high benefit to cost ratio as required by the grantor. Potential projects include intersection safety improvements; pavement and shoulder widening; installation of rumble strips or other warning devices; installation of guardrails; and installation of traffic control or warning devices.
The grant guidelines indicate projects that are submitted for grant award consideration should not require significant right-of-way acquisition or extensive environmental review and mitigation; but must have a benefit-to-cost ratio of no less than one or will be rejected. If HR3 grant funds are awarded to the County, the Director of Public Works will present the project(s) to the Board of Supervisors.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Caltrans administers the HR3 grant program. Applications will be reviewed and prioritized for funding by Caltrans Headquarters. The program is funded by the Federal Highway Administration.
FINANCING:
There is no impact to the General Fund. The maximum funding an agency can receive is expected to be the greater of the following two limits: between $1.5M to $2M or 1.5 to 2 times the ratio of the agency's population divided by the State's population times the total funding available. Projects require a minimum 10% local match or a maximum of $100K. The match will be funded by the Road Fund. The minimum funding for any single project is expected to be $100K. The Operations and Maintenance will be funded by the RMA - PW Road Fund (Fund 002, Unit 8195).
Prepared by: Patricia A. Lopez, Management Analyst III, (831) 755-8998
Approved by:
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Paul H. Greenway, P.E., Acting Director of Public Works
Approved by:
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Benny J. Young, RMA Director
Dated: June 1, 2012