Title
Report regarding a resolution authorizing the submittal of two grant applications for the Caltrans fiscal year 2027-28 Sustainable Communities Competitive Grant Program for Connect4SSF and Safe Routes to School Walk and Roll Maps and Circulation Plans. (John Wilson, Senior Civil Engineer)
label
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt a resolution authorizing staff to submit two applications to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the fiscal year 2027-28 Sustainable Communities Competitive Grant Program for Connect4SSF and Safe Routes to School Walk and Roll Maps and Circulation Plans, and authorizing local matching funds from the Citywide Traffic Impact Fee Fund.
Body
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.
Executive Summary
The City proposes to submit two applications to Caltrans under the fiscal year (FY) 2027-28 Sustainable Communities Competitive Grant Program. The first, Connect4SSF, would identify and advance practical multimodal improvements along Linden Avenue, Spruce Avenue, and Colma Creek. The second would develop citywide Safe Routes to School Walk and Roll Maps and circulation plans to help students and families identify convenient and complete routes for walking, bicycling, and rolling to school.
The Sustainable Communities Competitive Grant Program allows up to two applications per applicant. Each application may request up to $700,000 and requires a minimum local match equal to 11.47 percent of total project cost. Final grant requests and local matching amounts will be determined through development of the application budgets.
Connect4SSF
Connect4SSF would focus on Linden and Spruce Avenues south of Grand Avenue, extending to El Camino Real on Spruce Avenue and the southern city limits on Linden Avenue, as well as the Colma Creek corridor from Orange Memorial Park to the Bay Trail. The project builds on the City's prior Reconnecting Communities planning efforts and the 2022 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. It would address high-injury corridors, gaps in multimodal access, and connections through Lindenville, including areas undergoing mixed-use redevelopment.
The planning effort would include two rounds of community engagement. Initial engagement would identify existing travel needs, concerns, and preferences, including whether to improve the existing Colma Creek crossing or evaluate an alternative alignment. A second round would allow the community to review alternatives using concept drawings, cross-sections, and preliminary traffic analysis. Community and agency input would inform preferred alternatives and final planning-level concepts, cost estimates, phasing, potential funding sources, and next steps toward implementation.
Safe Routes to School Walk and Roll Maps and Circulation Plans
The second 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 an analysis of existing safety conditions and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, along with 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.
FISCAL IMPACT
Based on the maximum grant requests, staff propose to commit up to $182,000 in Citywide Traffic Impact Fee funds as local matching funds. Staff will return to City Council for any necessary budget appropriations prior to accepting or expending grant funds.
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. The projects align with the City’s strategy to enhance bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and promote a multimodal transportation system. The project also supports the Welcoming and Connected Community major focus area by improving safe access to businesses and employment centers and encouraging active transportation.
ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS
1. Connect4SSF Area Map
2. Example Walk and Roll Map