Statewide Active Transportation Program Grant Recommendations Announced

Staff recommendations were announced on September 16 for the Active Transportation Grant’s Cycle II, and out of the 8 projects in the Bay Area 3 are in Contra Costa and 2 are in Alameda County. 

Statewide Round of ATP Funding

The Active Transportation Program is a fund which represents by far the largest state set-aside for bicycling and walking in the nation. We are currently working with the California Bicycle Coalition to increase the ATP fund by $100M. 

We’re glad to see Berkeley’s 9th Street Path expansion get recommended, as well as Pogo Park’s incredible Yellow Brick Road project in Richmond. However, the overall lack of funds to good Bay Area projects is problematic, as Southern California is again disproportionately getting the funding from a system paid for with your tax dollars.

Not all hope is lost for the other incredible projects submitted, which include Phase II of Telegraph Avenue’s plan for protected bikeways, the East Bay Greenway and San Pablo’s Rumrill Blvd. The 2015 Regional ATP (Cycle 2), for which selections are made by the MTC, is expected to have about $30 million over three fiscal years (FY 2016-17, FY 2017-18, and FY 2018-19)..Those Bay Area-specific recommendations will be announced on October 14. Last year the big winner at the regional level was Bay Area Bikeshare.

The Statewide Recommendations will go to Commission for adoption on October 21-22. 

Helpful Numbers to Understand the ATP

• 86 projects out of 600 applications recommended

• $1 billion in funding sought in those proposals, $179.7 million in funding awarded

• 88% of funds directly benefit disadvantaged communities

• 43 projects are safe routes to school

• State-only funds are indicated per applicant request, but no final decision has yet been made

• The Bay Area received 11.3% of the available statewide funding (while representing 19% of statewide population)

• Bay Area submitted 112 application, and 8 projects were recommended, 5 of which are in the East Bay

See the Full List of Statewide Recommendations

See the ATP’s Fund Estimate and Breakdown

A review of the recommended projects in the East Bay: 

Berkeley – 9th Street Bicycle Blvd Extension Pathway, Phase II

Funding request: $850M

Project score: 93

The 9th Street Bicycle Boulevard Extension Pathway Phase II closes the gap between the end of the 9th Street Bike Boulevard and the existing 9th Street Bicycle Boulevard Extension Pathway Phase I. This project will construct two sections of new shared use pathway, one between the end of 9th Street and Ashby Avenue, and the other between Ashby Avenue and Murray Street. 

More information on this project.

Oakland – 20th Street BART to Lake Merritt Urban Greenway

Funding request: $4,583M

Project score: 91

20th St from Broadway to Harrison St is an important downtown Oakland corridor, connecting 19th St BART, Lake Merritt, and a number of large office buildings. In its current form, most of the right‐of‐way is dedicated to motor vehicle use, even though traffic volumes are light. The proposed project converts underused travel lanes to widened sidewalks and bike lanes (prtotected in sections). The proposal includes bus islands to eliminate the cross‐over conflict between bicyclists and buses at bus stops.

More information on this project.

Contra Costa County – Rio Vista Elementary School Pedestrian Connection Project

Funding request: $600M

Project score: 97

This project is phase II of a sidewalk/pedestrian improvement project in Bay Point. Contra Costa County Public Works previously received funds to add sidewalks along Pacifica Ave, connecting three schools – two elementary, one middle. This project fills in the final gaps of the

sidewalks. Contra Costa Health Services will also receive funds through this grant application to continue our Safe Routes to School (student education, walking school busses, etc) program for Bay Point schools.

Contra Costa County – Bailey Road/SR 4 Interchange Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvement Project

Funding request: $4,160M

Project score: 94

The project will improve bicycle and pedestrian access along Bailey Road by providing continuous sidewalks and bike lanes through the State Route 4 Interchange. Proposed improvements will:

• Eliminate the westbound loop off-ramp and existing pedestrian tunnel,

• Widen the westbound diagonal off-ramp to accommodate the displaced traffic,

• Install a new traffic signal at the westbound diagonal off-ramp to control traffic,

• And remove pedestrian islands at the eastbound off-ramps to eliminate free flow movements on to Bailey Road

More information on this project.

Richmond – The Yellow Brick Road in the Iron Triangle Neighborhood

Project score: 89

A community-led project which re-imagined how to safely link together key resources in a neighborhood − churches, parks, schools, parks and other facilities. They envisioned a “Yellow Brick Road, ” a pedestrian and bike path marked by bright, yellow patterns stenciled directly onto public sidewalks and roads. The aim of the Yellow Brick Road is designate safe walking and biking routes for everyone in the community to navigate to and from important places within the Iron Triangle neighborhood.

More information on this project.