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Art3_Redlands_FY19_BikePed_Connector_App2019 TDA Article 3 Application Project: Highland/Redlands Regional Connector Project Jurisdiction: City of Redlands Engineering: $77,000 Right-of-way: $99,000 Construction: $73,000 Total Project Cost: $249,000 TDA Article 3 Requested: $224,000- received partial award of $157,934 from the SBCTA Board on 7/10/19 Local Match: $25,000 (10%)- match adjusted to $17,548 Data Support: In 2016, the City of Redlands and the City of Highland were successful in securing -$3.6 million of grant funding through the Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 2 for the Highland/Redlands Regional Connector Project (Project). This Project will construct new active transportation improvements including Class I, II and IV bicycle and pedestrian paths in Redlands and Highland. Upon completion, approximately 4.7 miles of new bicycle and pedestrian trails will be completed in the two cities. The success of the grant application to the ATP Cycle 2 program was not solely due to the improvements proposed within the project. More specifically, the improvements directly impacted students using non-motorized transportation to access Citrus Valley High School (CVHS). CVHS opened in the City of Redlands with an attendance area boundary map almost entirely in the City of Highland. The only direct route to the school from Highland on a local street is via Boulder Avenue/Orange Street, which is currently a two-lane roadway with no bicycle/pedestrian facility. Upon completion of the Project, students will be able to bicycle or walk to and from CVHS. As an additional bonus, this Project will also bisect the soon to be completed Santa Ana River Trial (SART) project at Orange Street. This connectivity will allow for all users of the Project to connect to the SART, which ultimately terminates at the Pacific Ocean. Subsequent to the award of the ATP Cycle 2 grant, Redlands and Highland awarded a design contract to KOA Corporation. During the environmental approval phase of the Project, cost overruns have been experienced due to the Project's footprint through the Santa Ana River Wash and the timeline for approval of the Upper Santa Ana River Wash Land Management and Habitat Conservation Plan. As a result of these challenges additional mitigation measures have been required, which has caused a rise in the budget and the need for additional grant funding. Description: The Highland/Redlands Regional Connector Project is an integral part of San Bernardino County Transportation Authority's (SBCTA)Non-Motorized Transportation Plan (NMTP) and the City of Redlands' Master Bike Plan. The Project is consistent with the goals of the NMTP as the focus of the Project is to provide increases in bicycle and pedestrian access; to increase travel by cycling and walking; to consider non-motorized travel in transportation planning; and to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety. Through the implementation of the Project, cyclists and pedestrians are able to access both Redlands and Highland via a protected path of travel, be it via a bicycle lane or pedestrian path. Additionally, once the Project is constructed, connection points to other existing bicycle lanes in both Redlands and Highland will be achieved, as well as connecting to the regional Santa Ana River Trail. Destinations: Class I and Class II lanes identified within this application are located in the northern part of the City of Redlands and the southern part of the City of Highland. Upon completion of the Project, residents of both Redlands and Highland will be able to access vital retail/employment centers at Citrus Plaza/Mountain Grove developments in Redlands and the Highland Crossings development in Highland. Additionally, as mentioned previously, Citrus Valley High School’s attendance area is located almost entirely within Highland. After construction of the Project, safe, non-motorized travel will be readily available to students using a bicycle or walking. Additionally, the completion of bike routes identified in the NMTP will fulfill a part of the community’s desire for regional connectivity to other areas in the Inland Empire. The completion of the Project will allow for non-motorized interconnectivity not just between Redlands and Highland, but also to their neighboring communities via already completed non-motorized projects. Safety: The City of Redlands shares a boundary to its north with the City of Highland. Currently, there are only two connection points between the cities via surface streets, one at Alabama Street and the other at Orange Street. Currently, there does not exist a pedestrian or bicycle facility on either of the aforementioned streets, which creates a predicament for residents whose only form of travel is via non- motorized means. The improvements being proposed are predominantly on Orange Street and Boulder Avenue and provide continuous non-motorized connectivity for commuters and students, as well as hobby cyclists. Additionally, as the City of Redlands has an active biking community with many citizens who use bicycles on a daily basis, City staff have received nothing but positive feedback from users of bicycle lanes about the increased safety of using a bicycle lane rather than simply sharing the road with motorists via unmarked roads. Connectivity: As evidenced by its adoption of Resolution No. 6696 in April 2008, the City of Redlands has committed to becoming a “green city”. This resolution resolved that the City would become a Green Valley Jurisdiction and participate in the development and implementation of sustainable model policies and programs to benefit the Inland Empire. As part of the implementation of sustainable green policies, the City has prioritized the promotion of alternative green forms of transportation to travel within the City. These alternative forms of transportation include the promotion of walking to and from work and school through the construction of sidewalks and bicycle lanes. Additionally, the Project will provide a connection to Omnitrans Bus Route 15 and to several other trails located within Redlands and Highland. In doing so, the City will have an overarching NMTP, providing a connective matrix of sidewalks, trails and bike lanes with public transportation thereby providing a more sustainable, healthier alternative choice of transportation for commuters in Redlands and Highland. Readiness: As mentioned previously, in 2016, the Project was awarded ~$3.6 million of ATP Cycle 2 funding. Since that time, Redlands and Highland have been working with KOA Corporation and have completed plans to the 30% design stage. Given the extent to which the Project has been designed to date, as well as the importance of providing non-motorized connectivity to the region, both Redlands and Highland are fully committed and financially invested in ensuring the Project is designed, constructed and completed. Highland/Redlands Regional Connector Project Location           ITEM NO.DESCRIPTION BID QTY UNIT UNIT PRICE TOTAL COST 1 Preliminary Engineering, Project Engineering and Design Costs 1 LS $70,302.50 $70,302.50 2 Right-Of-Way Costs 1 LS $90,000.00 $90,000.00 3 Construction AC Pavement over CMB 13200 SF $5.00 $66,000.00 $226,302.50 $22,630.25 $248,932.75 $224,039.47 $24,893.29 10% Preliminary Alignment Preliminary Construction Cost Total 10% Cont Grand Total Funds Requested Local Match Percent Local Match P.O. BOX 9266 Redlands, CA 92375 www.iebike.org 909.800.4322 26 April 2019 City of Redlands Paul Toor, Municipal Utilities and Engineering Director 35 Cajon Street, Suite 15A Redlands, CA 92373 Inland Empire Biking Alliance PO Box 8636 Redlands, CA 92375 Dear Paul, On behalf of the Inland Empire Biking Alliance (IEBA), I would like to express our support of the Highland/Redlands Regional Connector Project. IEBA is the local non-profit bicycling advocacy that seeks to work with local agencies for safer and better active transportation infrastructure. We also prioritize regional connectivity to serve area cyclists along with promoting greater participation. This project has long been a top priority expressed by our members and local bike commuters. With an active biking culture already established in the Redlands area, the fact that no one feels safe trying to get to and from both cities speaks volumes for its need. We believe that when completed, the project will greatly improve mobility for those who travel by bike, by foot, and even those who use aids such as a wheelchair. Of course, the most important part of this project is by far its focus on making it safer for students to get to schools. The impact of such a great project will be truly amazing for the local student population further bolstered with Safe Routes to School programs. We would like to thank the City of Redlands for making this project such a high priority and for making biking and walking that much more accessible and safer for all residents and visitors. Sincerely, Marven E. Norman, Executive Director Fun, Fitness and Fellowship __________________________________________________________________________________________ April 26, 2019 Paul Toor, Municipal Utilities and Engineering Director 35 Cajon Street, Suite 15A Redlands, CA 92373 City Of Redlands – Transportation Development Act Article 3 Grant Application This letter is being submitted on behalf of Ride Yourself Fit, Inc. to show its support for the City of Redlands, Transportation Development Act Article 3 grant application. Along with the City of Highland, this project would provide for the establishment of Class I and Class IV bike trails along Orange Street between the two cities, as well as a Class IV route on Pioneer Avenue from Orange Street to Citrus Valley High School. The construction of this project will also have the added benefit of connecting residents to the region-wide Santa Ana River Trail when completed. As one of the largest bicycle clubs in Southern California, Ride Yourself Fit, Inc. supports local area projects that provide alternative forms of transportation and commuting, such as walking and cycling. Our club provides a number of educational and training programs to the public to promote a safe and healthy lifestyle through activities that the entire family can enjoy. These programs include the annual Children’s Health and Bike Safety Expo, the Safe Ride program, Walk Yourself Fit and a variety of other activities that encourage healthy life styles. The City of Redlands has made it a priority to enable safe, non-motorized transportation for residents and visitors to Redlands. Redlands’ application supports bicycling and walking activities along with the development of safe and accessible bicycle and walking facilities for non-motorized users. These facilities encourage citizens to get out and use them. Significant increases in cyclists and walkers have been noticed where previous projects have been implemented. Ride Yourself Fit continues to encourage and support these priorities and projects, all in an effort to make Redlands known for superior non-transportation facilities. Please accept this letter on behalf of Ride Yourself Fit, Inc. as a show of support for the continued promotion of safe travel for non-motorized transportation through this application and the award of the Transportation Development Act Article 3 grant to the City of Redlands. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, RonRonRonRonald C.ald C.ald C.ald C. MutMutMutMutterterterter Vice President – Route Coordinator Ride Yourself Fit, Inc. www.rideyourselffit.org