HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/20/2025 Item 5a, FingerNovember 20, 2025 ATC Meeting Agenda Item 5a
Dear ATC members,
I am writing with two requests on this SRTS item:
1. Add a standing Business Item on the ATC agenda for the Safe Routes To School
(SRTS) subcommittee (until the subcommittee sunsets), since this subcommittee is
expected to bring recommendations to the full ATC as they progress.
2. Schedule a special ATC meeting before the end of the year to allow discussion/voting on
ATC recommended projects to apply for grant funding - a key task of the SRTS
subcommittee.
The intent of the SRTS subcommittee is documented in the ATC motion “subcommittee…will
provide updates and/or recommendations to the Active Transportation Committee regarding
the Safe Routes to School planning, funding, and outreach efforts to conclude at the end of
November 2026.”
As discussed at the September ATC meeting, there is specific urgency around funding our
SRTS projects because the city needs to have time to apply for our share of the $500 million in
state grant funding - ATP applications are due June 2026. Last cycle, the City of SLO did not
submit any ATP applications. Furthermore, it was announced at the ATP webinar yesterday, that
the state will start awarding mid-cycle funding in 2027….but only for projects that applied in
2026.
The ATC needs to discuss/recommend that the City submit grant applications to fully fund key
Tier 1 projects already underway. If this can’t be done at today’s (November 20th) meeting then
a special meeting needs to be scheduled for this urgent matter, so that there is time to prepare
the grant applications. Three critical projects to consider are:
1. Madonna Rd multiuse and Marsh/101 ramps multiuse
2. Bob Jones Trail gap closure section (Broadstone)
3. Broad St corridor and multiuse connectors
Some details of the critical timing for each of these projects are described below.
Madonna/Marsh: The multiuse trail on Madonna Road Overpass was repeatedly listed as part
of the ATP grant application for the Higuera Compete Streets project (see attached grant
map), but the Madonna Rd multiuse trail component was dropped from this project . ATP grant
funding needs to be requested now so that project design for this component can move forward
and construction on Madonna Rd and Higuera St intersection only occurs once.
Connection from the Higuera Complete Streets project to the existing Madonna Inn shared use
path (at Marsh St highway ramps) should be paired with this application for the Madonna Rd
multiuse trail. The wonderfully simple solution here is to extend/widen the grade-separated
sidewalk from northbound onramp to Higuera St creating a grade-separated multiuse
connection at Marsh St ramps (see attached satellite view). This project should have been
included as part of the Higuera Complete Streets project so that work in this intersection only
occurs once.
Bob Jones Trail: On March 17, 2025, the Broadstone development project came to the SLO
City Council. Subsequently the ATC voted to recommend that the Bob Jones Trail gap
closure section and undercrossing of LOVR be included in the design of this project. ATP grant
funding needs to be requested now to align with timing for Broadstone project design and
construction, and to fully fund all recommended Bob Jones Trail project components.
Broad: On February 6, 2024 the City Council allocated $800,000 to advance early planning of
transportation improvements on South Broad Street. At the April 16, 2024 City Council
meeting, it was reported that, “Staff has begun the early planning for the South Broad Complete
Street project and is exploring grant opportunities to complete preliminary study focused on
transportation issues and begin outreach and early design to supplement recently allocated
funding”. Subsequently the City of SLO was awarded a $400,000 Safe Streets 4 All (SS4A)
grant to “Conduct Demonstration or Other Supplemental Planning Activities” for this project.
This project should also include multiuse connector on Orcutt from Broad St to Sacramento St.
ATP grant funding should be requested to fund this project through construction.
Thank you for your consideration of these requests,
Helene Finger
Gap Closure Map
South Higuera Complete Streets Project
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Hawthorne
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New Trailhead-
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Project Site
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Prado Homeless Center
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New Trailhead- Bob Jones Bike Path
Transit Center
AMTRAK Railroad Station
Mission Plaza
City Limit
Large Housing Projects
Parks
Open Space
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Existing Shared Used
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Existing Protected Bike
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Proposed Protected Bike
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