Title
Report regarding an application for the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA) Highway Program Grant for up to $9,000,000 for the construction phase of the US 101 / Produce Avenue Off-Ramp Improvements Project. (tr1404) (Lawrence Henriquez, Senior Civil Engineer)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
City staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the filing of an application for the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA) Highway Program Grant for $9,000,000 for the construction phase of the US 101 / Produce Avenue Off-Ramp Improvements Project (tr1404).
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The US 101 / Produce Avenue Off-ramp Improvements Project is Phase I of II for the larger City of South San Francisco Utah Avenue Overcrossing Project. The Phase I Project will ultimately include improvements to the US 101 southbound (SB) off-ramp at Produce Avenue, and upgrades to the Produce Ave./San Mateo Ave./ S. Airport Blvd. intersection to add new sidewalks, new Class 4 bike lanes, and enhanced crosswalks. The project also aims to establish a bicycling and pedestrian connection along South Airport Boulevard from the San Mateo Ave / Produce Ave / Airport Blvd intersection to the Gateway Blvd / Mitchell Ave intersection, thus joining to an existing bicycling route along South Airport Blvd. In addition, the Phase I Project aims to reduce US 101 SB queuing at the exit ramp. Traffic modeling and analysis indicated the project will not induce significant vehicles miles traveled but will close gaps in bicycle and pedestrian facilities while increasing vehicular safety by reducing mainline queue spillback onto the highway. The design is currently underway, and staff seeks construction funding for the improvements as the project is being coordinated with the nearby developers.
On August 9, 2023, City Council adopted a resolution authorizing staff to file a grant application for the 2023 TA Highway Program to proceed into the design phase of the project. The TA formed a Project Selection Committee (Committee) to evaluate and score the applications. The Committee met on October 11, 2023, and in November 2023 the City of South San Francisco was granted $2,700,000 for developing design concepts for the San Mateo Avenue / Airport Boulevard / Produce Avenue intersection which impacts traffic flows along southbound US 101 at the South Airport Boulevard off ramp. The intersection is part of the overall Utah Avenue Overcrossing Project that is slated for installing pedestrian and bicycling facilities while improving general traffic flow movements.
The project is aligned with the Transportation Authority's Strategic Plan and fulfills one of the Guiding Principles of the City's General Plan, which is to provide a safe, convenient, and accessible transportation network well-connected to the region. It also takes a modern approach towards moving the most people possible, minimizing the traffic impacts of regional growth while investing in all modes of travel. The Project would not add capacity through new US 101 freeway lanes.
The SMCTA Measure A and W Highway Program focuses on projects that reduce traffic congestion and improve throughput and safety on the most critical commute corridors in San Mateo County. This 2025 cycle will promote a large availability of funds that can go toward newly approved Measure A Highway Program Supplemental Roadways eligible corridors list. These Supplemental Roadways corridors will allow local jurisdictions to apply for multimodal congestion and safety improvements on local arterials and main streets.
Project Schedule
The anticipated project schedule is outlined below. These dates represent the current best estimate and are contingent on securing timely funding. The schedule may also shift if unexpected issues arise during design, right-of-way acquisition, or permitting.
|
Phase |
Start |
Finish |
|
Design (PS&E) |
Jan-2024 |
Dec-2026 |
|
Right-of-Way / Construction |
Jan-2027 |
Jan-2029 |
FISCAL IMPACT
The SMCTA Highway Grant requires a 25% local match for a $9,000,000 TA Highway Grant request to proceed into construction once the design phase is completed. Pending approval of the final SMCTA Highway grant application amount, the City would be responsible for an estimated match of $626,619. The developer’s offsite construction improvements costs total $2,136,381.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
Approval of this action will contribute to the City’s Strategic Plan outcome of improved Quality of Life by maintaining and improving infrastructure to serve the public.
CONCLUSION
City staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the filing of an application for the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA) Highway Program Grant for up to $9,000,000 for the US 101 / Produce Avenue Off-Ramp Improvements Project. (tr1404).
Attachments:
1. Project Map