Title
Report regarding Resolutions supporting three applications to the San Mateo County Transportation Authority for Cycle 8 Pedestrian and Bicycle Program Funding for School Walk/Roll and Circulation Plans, Spruce & Miller School Safety Improvements, and Hickey Pathways & Connections (John Wilson, Senior Civil Engineer)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt three resolutions supporting applications to the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA) for Cycle 8 Measures A and W Pedestrian and Bicycle Program funding for: (1) School Walk/Roll and Circulation Plans; (2) Spruce & Miller School Safety Improvements; and (3) Hickey Pathways & Connections; identifying anticipated local matching funds; certifying non-supplantation of funds; and authorizing the City Manager or their designee to execute project supplements following City Council acceptance of any grant awards and approval of necessary budget appropriations.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 140-2026 on October 14, 2026, authorizing staff to submit qualifying competitive transportation grant applications consistent with adopted City plans and priorities, subject to specified local matching requirements. Pursuant to this authorization, staff submitted the applications by the applicable grant deadlines. These staff reports and accompanying resolutions were prepared before those deadlines but were subsequently scheduled for Council consideration after the application periods closed. The resolutions are therefore being presented to document Council support for the submitted applications, satisfy applicable grant program requirements, and authorize any additional actions specified therein. Any grant awards will return to Council for acceptance and necessary budget appropriations.
Community outreach and engagement will be an important component of project development. As projects advance, staff will seek input from residents, businesses, schools, and other stakeholders, as appropriate, to better understand local conditions, identify community concerns, and inform the development and refinement of proposed improvements. Opportunities for participation will be tailored to the scope and circumstances of each project, with community feedback considered alongside engineering analysis, safety objectives, applicable standards, and project constraints.
Executive Summary
SMCTA issued the Cycle 8 Pedestrian and Bicycle Program Call for Projects on August 31, 2026. Applications are due October 30, 2026. The program funds projects that improve walking and bicycling accessibility and safety in San Mateo County. Eligible sponsors may submit up to three applications across all subcategories, and the City is preparing three applications that address school travel, pedestrian safety, bicycle access, and network connectivity.
The City’s submittal consists of one planning/education application and two capital applications. SMCTA requires a minimum 10 percent local match unless a reduced equity-based match is approved in advance. The program allows requests of up to $2 million for pre-construction phases and up to $3.5 million for construction, with total awards to a sponsor capped at $5 million for the cycle.
School Walk/Roll and Circulation Plans
This application would develop Walk and Roll Maps and circulation plans for schools throughout South San Francisco. The maps would provide students, caregivers, and school staff with information on convenient and complete routes for walking, bicycling, and rolling to school. Routes would be informed by existing safety conditions, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and direct engagement at schools. Pop-up events would invite students, caregivers, and school staff to identify how they currently travel and help shape the routes shown on the final maps.
The project would complement the City’s recent and forthcoming Safe Routes to School walk audits and infrastructure improvements by providing families with practical route information. The City is also pursuing funding for this concept through the Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program; if both applications are successful, staff would coordinate the awards to avoid duplication and ensure that each funding source supports distinct eligible work.
Spruce & Miller School Safety Improvements
The City’s submittal consists of a competitive capital grant application to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety near Spruce Elementary School and All Souls Catholic School.
The project will build upon a previous pedestrian safety study developed to address improvements identified in the City's Pedestrian Master Plan. Proposed improvements include traffic signal upgrades, curb extensions, enhanced crosswalks, ADA-compliant curb ramps, and potential sidewalk construction along Tamarack Lane. The project will focus on the Spruce Avenue/Miller Avenue intersection while considering additional improvements to nearby streets and intersections, including Miller Avenue/Elm Avenue and Spruce Avenue/Tamarack Lane, to improve school access and pedestrian safety.
As part of final design, the City will conduct outreach and community engagement with Spruce Elementary School, All Souls Catholic School, adjacent residents, and other stakeholders to evaluate school travel needs, incorporate community feedback, and refine the proposed improvements. The project aims to provide safer walking and bicycling routes for students and families while improving neighborhood connectivity.
Hickey Pathways & Connections
The City’s submittal consists of a Competitive Capital application to improve walking and bicycling connections between Colma, Serramonte, Winston Manor, and BART. Recent roadway improvements have established bicycle lanes and sidewalks along Hickey Boulevard between Longford Drive and Junipero Serra Boulevard, as well as bicycle lanes between Crown Circle and El Camino Real. This project would close the remaining gap by rehabilitating and improving the existing pathway along the south side of Hickey Boulevard between Junipero Serra Boulevard and Crown Circle.
The proposed improvements would establish a Class I shared-use path, providing a minimum 10-foot width where feasible while accommodating existing trees, utilities, lighting, and other constraints. A separated pathway is necessary because the existing roadway width and curb locations do not provide sufficient space for on-street bicycle lanes.
The project also includes protected bicycle and pedestrian improvements at the northeast and northwest corners of Hickey Boulevard and Junipero Serra Boulevard. These improvements would connect the shared-use pathway with existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities and strengthen connections toward the City limits with Colma. The project is designed to function independently while remaining compatible with future south-side intersection improvements anticipated through the Bike Lanes for the Boulevards project.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and Traffic Safety Commission Review
Staff presented the proposed grant applications to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) and Traffic Safety Commission (TSC), both of which expressed support for submitting the applications. Staff is requesting additional letters of support from the South San Francisco Unified School District, San Mateo County Office of Education, Every Kid Deserves a Bike, and Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City’s submittal consists of three applications requesting a combined $5 million in SMCTA Cycle 8 Pedestrian and Bicycle Program funding. The estimated project costs and required local matching funds are summarized below.
|
Project |
SMCTA Request |
City Match (Traffic Impact Fee) |
Total Project Cost |
|
School Walk/Roll and Circulation Plans |
$108,000 |
$24,500 |
$132,500 |
|
Spruce & Miller School Safety Improvements |
$1,071,000 |
$119,000 |
$1,190,000 |
|
Hickey Pathways & Connections |
$3,821,000 |
$424,556 |
$4,245,556 |
|
Total |
$5,000,000 |
$568,056 |
$5,568,056 |
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with submitting these grant applications. Pursuant to the City Council's October 14, 2026 authorization for competitive transportation grant applications (File no. 26-2247), staff anticipates identifying up to $568,056 in eligible Citywide Traffic Impact Fee funds as proposed local matching contributions. No matching funds would be appropriated or authorized for expenditure at this time. If awarded, the grants would return to City Council for consideration of acceptance and any necessary budget appropriations.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES ACTION PLAN
These projects support the Infrastructure and the Environment major focus area by advancing pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements and promoting a multimodal transportation system. The projects also support the Welcoming and Connected Community major focus area by improving safe access to schools, neighborhoods, transit, and employment centers.