The Transportation Agency has utilized Caltrans planning grants for several corridor studies to assist in developing action plans with broad-based community support, such as the Marina - Salinas Multimodal Corridor plan, and the Pacific Grove - Highway 68 Corridor Study. These plans help set the stage for future transportation improvements in key regional corridors.
The Caltrans planning grant program has two grant types. The Strategic Partnerships grant funds planning studies for multimodal improvements to the State highway system. The Sustainable Communities grant program funds multimodal transportation planning studies that have statewide, interregional, regional or local significance. The purpose of these planning studies is to identify and address mobility deficiencies in the transportation system through stakeholder collaboration and active public engagement.
The recommended action authorizes Agency staff to pursue and accept Caltrans Sustainable Communities grant funding to complete a Pajaro to Prunedale Corridor Study. This Study will analyze current and future travel patterns along the G12 corridor (San Miguel Canyon Road-Hall Road-Salinas Road) between U.S. 101 and SR 1 and Santa Cruz County. Based on that analysis, the study will evaluate the feasibility of affordable mid-term operational and capacity improvements, the potential for improving transit service for residents and commuters, and the opportunities for improving stormwater management. The Transportation Agency and the County of Monterey will actively engage the public and stakeholders in the study with a program of public meetings and online outreach efforts. The plan will help develop a program of cost-effective projects and strategies that will improve the long-range sustainability of the G12 corridor.
Agency staff is also requesting authorization to concurrently pursue a federal Metropolitan Planning "PL" funding allocation for the Pajaro to Prunedale Corridor Study from the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG) in case the Caltrans grant application is not successful. In recent years Federal Highway Administration staff have narrowed the eligibility criteria for the PL funds. The inter-county travel between Monterey and Santa Cruz counties on the G12 corridor makes this study an ideal candidate for PL funds based on the Federal Highway Administration's desire to focus money on planning efforts that impact more than one county within our region.
The recommended action also authorizes Agency staff to pursue and accept grant funds for the Canyon Del Rey Boulevard (State Route 218) Corridor Improvement Plan, in partnership with the cities of Seaside and Del Rey Oaks, and Caltrans. The proposed Plan will evaluate multimodal safety improvements on Canyon Del Rey Boulevard through the cities of Seaside and Del Rey Oaks, from Highway 1 to Highway 68. The goal of the study is to create a more “complete” corridor — one that is safer and more accommodating of different forms of transportation, for people of all ages and abilities. In particular, the study would explore ways to improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists, who are among the most vulnerable users of the transportation system and are not served adequately by the corridor. Also, the study will evaluate options for reshaping the roadway to improve bicycle and pedestrian access to the commercial centers, to help create a more vibrant commercial zone in both communities.
Funding for the Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning grant program is available on a statewide, competitive basis. Grant applications must be submitted to Caltrans by 5 p.m. on November 4, 2016.