TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Keith Stahley, City Manager
FROM: Brian D. Martin, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
title
Safe Streets and Roads for All grant application for pedestrian crossing improvement projects.
Ward(s): Wards 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
Councilor(s): Councilors Stapleton, Nishioka, Phillips, Gonzalez, and Hoy
Neighborhood(s): East Lancaster Neighborhood Association, Grant Neighborhood Association, Highland Neighborhood Association, Northeast Neighbors Neighborhood Association, North East Salem Community Association, North Lancaster Neighborhood Association, Northgate Neighborhood Association, Morningside Neighborhood Association, South Central Association of Neighbors
Result Area(s): Safe, Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure.
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SUMMARY:
summary
The United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) is offering grant funding through the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program. The SS4A program is designed to fund initiatives that will prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. Improving crossing facilities for pedestrians aligns with the objectives of the SS4A program. The SS4A program requires a 20 percent match based on the total cost of the projects. This match could be provided through funds allocated to Safer Pedestrian Crossings as part of the 2022 Safety and Livability General Obligation Bond.
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ISSUE:
Shall City Council authorize the City Manager to apply for federal funding up to $10 million through the SS4A program, using up to $2.5 million of Safety and Livability Bond funds as match, to construct a series of pedestrian crossing improvement projects and further authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the US DOT to accept the funds?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Authorize the City Manager to apply for federal funding up to $10 million through the SS4A program, using up to $2.5 million of Safety and Livability Bond funds as match, to construct a series of pedestrian crossing improvement projects and further authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the US DOT to accept the funds.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
The US DOT SS4A Program <https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A> <https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A> is a nationwide $5 billion discretionary grant program funded at $1 billion per year over five years. This is the third year of the five-year cycle. Details of the funding solicitation are included in Attachment 1. The purpose of the SS4A Program is to prevent deaths and serious injuries on the nation’s roadways. The grant is focused on comprehensive safety action planning and implementing projects and strategies identified in existing plans. Salem is limited to submitting one application this round. Applications for implementation grants are due May 16, 2024.
The recommended grant application will support construction of 19 enhanced pedestrian crossings at the locations shown on Attachment 2 and listed below. The enhanced pedestrian crossings will incorporate safety features such as median islands, curb extensions, and flashing beacons. All these features are designed to significantly improve pedestrian safety across our community. The crossing locations were determined with input from the community through the Safer Pedestrian Crossings Program that the City initiated in 2019. Locations were prioritized based on roadway type, crash history, proximity to critical areas such as schools, parks, and transit, and demographic characteristics.
Recommended Pedestrian Crossing Improvements for SS4A Grant Application
• Lancaster Drive NE between Sunnyview Avenue NE and Wolverine Street NE
• Lancaster Drive NE at Cypress Street NE
• Liberty Street SE at Lincoln Street SE
• Hawthorne Avenue NE between Market Street NE and D Street NE
• Kale Street NE near Hoodview Park
• Madison Street NE at 17th Street NE
• Market Street NE at 25th Street NE
• Hollywood Drive NE at McKay High School
• Market Street NE at 15th Street NE
• Market Street NE between Lancaster Drive NE and Tierra Drive NE
• Market Street NE between Childs Avenue NE and Lansing Avenue NE
• D Street NE at Evergreen Avenue NE
• 4000 Block of Fairview Industrial Drive SE (near transit stop)
• River Road N at Delmar Drive N
• Sunnyview Road NE at Greentree Drive NE
• Broadway Street NE at Academy Street NE
• B Street NE at 17th Street NE
• D Street NE at 14th Street NE
• Summer Street NE at Hood Street NE
The SS4A requires matching funds of 20 percent of the total project cost. Staff recommends that a portion of the funds allocated to pedestrian crossing improvements as part of the 2022 Safety and Livability General Obligation Bond Measure be used to meet the match requirement. The Bond Oversight Steering Committee supported this recommendation at its meeting on April 25, 2024. The request for federal funds is expected to be less than $10 million, with the matching funds being up to $2.5 million depending on the total project costs. As of the writing of this report, cost estimates are still being finalized.
BACKGROUND:
The City applied for and was awarded $2.8 million of federal funds through the SS4A program in 2023. These funds will be used to develop a Vision Zero Plan and to implement a 20-is-Plenty program on residential streets throughout the city. Negotiations on the grant agreement are currently in progress, with implementation anticipated to begin later this year.
Robert D. Chandler, PhD, PE
Assistant Public Works Director
Attachments:
1. Attachment 1 - FY24 SS4A Amended Notice of Funding Opportunity
2. Attachment 2 - Federal Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Grant Application Map