TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Keith Stahley, City Manager
FROM: Brian D. Martin, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
title
Application for project funding under the Oregon Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Program.
Ward(s): 1, 3
Councilor(s): Stapleton, Phillips
Neighborhood(s): Northeast Neighbors (NEN) Neighborhood Association, Morningside Neighborhood Association
Result Area(s): Safe Community; Safe, Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure
end
SUMMARY:
summary
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is offering funding through the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Infrastructure Program, which is designed to support improvements to pedestrian infrastructure to public schools. City Staff have identified two suitable projects for this round of grant funding.
end
ISSUE:
Shall Council authorize the City Manager to apply for funding to design and construct the following two projects, listed in priority order, through the SRTS Infrastructure Program and, if successful, incorporate these projects into a future Capital Improvement Plan and authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with ODOT to accept the funds?
• Market Street NE at 15th Street NE Pedestrian Crossing (Parrish Middle School), and
• Pringle Road SE, School Zone Safety Improvements (Leslie Middle School).
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Authorize the City Manager to apply for funding to design and construct the following two projects, listed in priority order, through the SRTS Infrastructure Program and, if successful, incorporate these projects into a future Capital Improvement Plan and authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with ODOT to accept the funds?
• Market Street NE at 15th Street NE Pedestrian Crossing (Parrish Middle School), and
• Pringle Road SE, School Zone Safety Improvements (Leslie Middle School).
body
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
The SRTS Competitive Construction Program is funded statewide at $26.25 million for the 2025-2026 funding cycle. The minimum grant award amount for each city is $60,000, and the maximum is $3,000,000.
This program requires a Part 1 and Part 2 application. Part 1 applications were due March 25, 2024, and final applications are due July 31, 2024.
Projects must be located on public right-of-way within two miles of a public school. Additionally, projects must be included in or consistent with an adopted plan. Projects will be scored by ODOT according to a series of criteria, which are outlined in the Safe Routes to School Construction Program Guidelines (2025-2026) <https://www.oregonsaferoutes.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2025-2026-Safe-Routes-to-School-Construction-Program-Guidelines-March-2024.pdf> (Attachment 1).
City staff reviewed infrastructure needs to determine candidate projects. This review drew from the following sources:
• Input from the School District;
• Feedback received through the City’s Safer Pedestrian Crossings Program;
• Information obtained through participation in School Site Safety Assessments;
• Salem Transportation System Plan; and
• Neighborhood Plans.
Staff submitted ten Part 1 applications. ODOT received 89 Part 1 applications statewide and expects to be able to fund approximately 25 projects with available funding. ODOT scored and ranked the 89 Part 1 applications, which accounts for 83 percent of the total possible score. Based on the Part 1 scores, City staff recommend submitting the following two Part 2 applications (Attachment 2):
• Market Street NE at 15th Street NE: Install Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) on east leg of Market Street NE at 15th Street NE intersection, restripe existing crosswalk, install ADA ramps, additional lighting, and signage. Estimated project cost is $610,000. Serves Parrish Middle School and North Salem High School. This project ranked 15 out of 89 statewide based on Part 1 review.
• Pringle Road SE School Zone Improvements: Install pedestrian median island on south leg of intersection with Tiburon Court SE and Leslie Middle School driveway, construct ADA ramps, install additional overhead school zone beacon, install two variable speed zone signs. Estimated project cost is $690,000. Serves Leslie Middle School. This project ranked 37 out of 89 statewide based on Part 1 review.
The other 8 projects scored lower during the Part 1 review and are unlikely to be funded.
These projects will require a 10.27 percent cash match. Matching funds could be provided either by the City’s share of the State Gas Tax or Safer Pedestrian Crossing funds allocated in the 2022 Safety and Livability Bond Measure. If successful, matching funds would be included in a future Capital Improvement Program and budget.
Staff has reached out to the affected neighborhood associations, including Northeast Neighbors (NEN) Neighborhood Association and Morningside Neighborhood Association. Both NEN and Morningside Neighborhood Association have agreed to provide letters of support.
ODOT expects to make project recommendations by the end of 2024 and will seek approval from the Oregon Transportation Commission in January 2025. Project agreements will be completed in spring 2025. Construction must be completed within five years.
BACKGROUND:
The Transportation Funding Package approved by the Oregon Legislature in 2017 included dedicated funding for a SRTS Competitive Construction Program. This Program is intended to help communities build safety projects to reduce barriers and hazards for children walking or bicycling to school.
Robert D. Chandler, PhD, PE
Assistant Public Works Director
Attachments:
1. Safe Routes to School Construction Program Guidelines 2025-2026
2. Vicinity Map, Safe Routes to School Project Applications