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Report regarding a project status update on the Preliminary Engineering and Environmental phase of the South Linden Avenue and Scott Street Grade Separation Project (Project No. st1004) (Angel Torres, Senior Engineer)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that City Council receive an update on the project status of the Preliminary Engineering and Environmental phase of the South Linden Avenue and Scott Street Grade Separation Project.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The South Linden Avenue and Scott Street Grade Separation Project (“Project”) is proposed to improve safety and decrease expected future traffic delays due to growth in vehicle traffic, greater frequency of Caltrain service, and the eventual addition of high-speed rail. South Linden Avenue is located in South San Francisco; Scott Street is in San Bruno. Although located in different cities, the two grade separations are proposed to be undertaken as a combined effort because of the close proximity (approximately one-third of a mile) to one another. This joint Project is in the City of South San Francisco’s and the City of San Bruno’s current Capital Improvement Programs.
The Project aims to improve safety and decrease expected future traffic delays due to growth in vehicle traffic, greater frequency of Caltrain service, and the eventual addition of high-speed rail. Although located in different cities, the two grade separations are proposed to be undertaken as a combined effort. The grade separation of one crossing could affect the other.
On April 20, 2016, the City of South San Francisco signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA), the City of San Bruno (SB), and the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (JPB) to complete a Planning Study for the South Linden Avenue and Scott Street Grade Separation Project. The cities of South San Francisco and San Bruno were identified as the local sponsors of the Project, with SSF being the lead sponsor. All of the parties recognized the importance of exploring grade separations as a means of reducing the impacts of increased train service on traffic and safety at the South Linden Avenue and Scott Street railroad crossings.
Beginning in January 2018, City staff participated in the Project Development Team (PDT), which was formed to prepare the Planning Study. The team was primarily comprised of representatives from Caltrain, the City of San Bruno, and the City of South San Francisco, along with consultants AECOM and Apex Strategies, who were hired by JPB.
Initially, six alternatives were developed for evaluation to achieve grade separations at South Linden Avenue and Scott Street. The preliminary design analysis eliminated two alternatives for creating the grade separation project because they were infeasible given the Project’s geometric constraints. One of the eliminated alternatives was for the train tracks to be raised while South Linden Avenue and Scott Street remained at their existing elevations. The other eliminated alternative was for the train tracks to be lowered while South Linden Avenue and Scott Street remained at their existing elevations.
This left four alternatives for further investigation. The PDT evaluated the four remaining alternatives that appeared to be viable options for achieving grade separation at both South Linden Avenue and Scott Street while, at a minimum, maintaining pedestrian and bicycle crossings. The four alternatives were summarized as follows:
• Alternative 1 - Hybrid Track Raised and Road Lowered. The clearance between the track and the road is created by raising the track and lowering the road. The road is lowered to pass under the tracks at South Linden Avenue. Scott Street would be closed to vehicles and a pedestrian/ bicycle overcrossing or undercrossing would be provided.
• Alternative 2 - Hybrid Road Raised and Track Lowered. The clearance between the track and the road is created by raising the road and lowering the track. The road is raised to pass over the tracks at South Linden Avenue. Scott Street would be closed to vehicles and a pedestrian/ bicycle overcrossing or undercrossing would be provided.
• Alternative 3 - Track At-Grade and Road Lowered. The tracks remain at their current elevation and the road is lowered to pass under the tracks at South Linden Avenue. Scott Street would be closed to vehicles and a pedestrian/bicycle overcrossing or undercrossing would be provided.
• Alternative 4 - Track At-Grade and Road Raised. The tracks remain at their current elevation and the road is raised to pass over the tracks at South Linden Avenue. Scott Street would be closed to vehicles and a pedestrian/ bicycle overcrossing or undercrossing would be provided.
The parties selected an alternative where South Linden Avenue will be partially lowered and reconstructed with pedestrian and bicycle access and safety improvements. At the Scott Street crossing, motor vehicle access will be closed and a pedestrian and bicycle undercrossing will be constructed.
On August 22, 2022, the City of South San Francisco signed a second MOU with the TA, the City of San Bruno, and JPB to fund the preliminary engineering and environmental (PE) phase of the Project. The funding arrangement included the TA providing funds from Measure A funds for a majority portion of the estimated cost of the PE phase of the Project, and the remainder was to be locally matched by funding from the City and San Bruno. The TA is responsible for at most 90% pro-rata share of the scope of work costs contingent upon the two cities securing local match funds and providing at least 10% of the total scope of work costs.
The JPB will serve as the lead implementing agency for the scope of work of this PE phase of the Project.
FISCAL IMPACT
The estimated cost for the Preliminary Engineering and Environmental (PE) phase of the Project was $5,500,000. The TA approved $4,950,000 in Measure A funds. The remainder amount of $550,000 is split between the City and San Bruno in local match funding.
Table 1 -- Local Match Contribution amounts from each sponsor per task
|
Task |
South San Francisco Funding Amount |
San Bruno Funding Amount |
|
Staff Participation and Project Oversight |
$80,000 |
$34,000 |
|
Contribution to JPB Consultants |
$306,650 |
$129,350 |
|
Total Current Contributions |
$386,650 |
$163,350 |
|
Total Sponsor Combined Contributions |
$550,000 |
In FY 2021-22, $400,000 in funds were appropriated from Road Maintenance and Rehab (SB 1), which is sufficient to cover the City’s local match funding expenditures for the PE phase of the Project.
As project sponsors, the City and San Bruno will also provide at least 10% of the total future Construction Phase Costs. The 10% total Construction Phase Costs were not included as a part of the executed MOU but will be included in a future agreement or funding arrangement, as the dollar amounts for construction costs are not yet determined.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
Providing a grade separation at South Linden Avenue would contribute to the City’s Strategic Plan outcome of improved quality of life by improving traffic circulation and increasing public safety.
CONCLUSION
The Project continues to progress with outreach to potentially impacted property and business owners, taking place from December of 2024 through January of 2025, providing an update on the progress of the PE phase and an opportunity to hear comments. The project PE team, composed of representatives from Caltrain, RSE, Apex Strategies, and City staff, hopes to present the results of the Value Engineering and recent Outreach efforts to SSF City Council at the upcoming January 22, 2025, City Council meeting.
Attachments:
1. LSGS Presentation 2024.12.11 (9 pages)