Title
Report regarding a resolution authorizing the filing of an application for the San Mateo County Transportation Authority Highway Program Grant for up to $17,000,000 for the Colma South San Francisco El Camino Real Bike and Pedestrian Improvements Project and approving Budget Amendment Number 26.017 (Audriana Hossfeld, 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 Highway Program Grant for up to $17,000,000 for the Colma South San Francisco El Camino Real Bike and Pedestrian Improvements Project and approving Budget Amendment Number 26.017
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The Town of Colma proposes to design and construct bicycle and pedestrian improvements along El Camino Real. In October 2023, Colma reached out to South San Francisco to request partnership to extend this project into South San Francisco.
The precise Project limits include Albert M. Teglia Boulevard at the northern end and Hickey Boulevard at the southern end. The project area is divided into three segments:
• Segment A from Albert M. Teglia Boulevard to Mission Road in the Town of Colma;
• Segment B from Mission Road to Arlington Drive in the Town of Colma; and
• Segment C from Arlington Drive to Hickey Boulevard in the City of South San Francisco (Attachment 1).
The Project proposes to install Class IV bike lanes, landscaping, and sidewalks along Segment A, Class IV bike lanes and sidewalk along Segment B, and a Class I multi-use path along Segment C (Attachment 2). Two new signalized intersections and bus stop improvements are also proposed.
The San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA) Measure A and W Highway Program will focus 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.
The total request of funds would be up to $17 million to fund the design and right of way (ROW) acquisition for Segments A and C and the ROW only for Segment B. Segment B has already secured design funds. An estimated maximum of $5.5 million in SMCTA funds would be allocated for Segment C design (South San Francisco). Grant applications are due September 12, 2025. Selections are expected to be announced in November 2025. A breakdown of the grant funds and local match requirements are shown in the table below.
|
Segment |
Budget |
SMCTA Highway Requested Funds |
Local Match (10% of total) |
|
A (Colma) |
$11,020,000.00 |
$9,918,000.00 |
$1,102,000.00 |
|
B (Colma) |
$480,000.00 |
$432,000.00 |
$48,000.00 |
|
C (South San Francisco) |
$5,500,000.00 |
$4,950,000.00 |
$550,000.00 |
|
Total |
$17,000,000.00 |
$15,300,000.00 |
$1,700,000.00 |
South San Francisco will partner with Colma on this grant application, and Colma will manage the total grant funds if awarded. A reimbursement agreement would be executed between South San Francisco and Colma to document South San Francisco’s local match contribution and to specify that the grant funds would cover Segment C’s design and ROW costs.
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 |
Estimated Start |
Estimated Finish |
|
Design (PS&E) |
January 2026 |
December 2026 |
|
Right-of-Way Certification |
June 2026 |
September 2026 |
|
Bid and Award |
January 2027 |
March 2027 |
|
Construction |
April 2027 |
December 2028 |
FISCAL IMPACT
The SMCTA Highway Grant requires a 10% local match. This project has recently been awarded a grant by Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) for $300,000. This grant can be applied towards the required local match. Pending approval of the final SMCTA Highway grant application amount, the City would be responsible for an estimated match up to $250,000. There is funding available within the project budget (through Citywide Traffic Impact Fees) to cover the matching funds.
Budget Amendment Number 26.017 will increase budgeted revenues and correspondingly increase appropriations for consulting and staff time by the full grant amount of $300,000 in Fiscal Year 2025-26 for Project tr2415.
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 $17,000,000 for the Colma South San Francisco El Camino Real Bike and Pedestrian Improvements Project (tr2415) and approving Budget Amendment Number 26.017.
Attachments:
1. Project Map
2. Segment C Cross Section