Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 23, 2024
Subject
SUBJECT: FIRST/LAST MILE PLAN FOR THE EASTSIDE TRANSIT CORRIDOR PHASE 2 PROJECT
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
ADOPT the First/Last Mile Plan for the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project (Attachment A).
Issue
ISSUE
The First/Last Mile (FLM) Plan (Plan) for the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project (Project) was prepared following established Metro Board policies, including the FLM Guidelines. The Plan includes a prioritized project list of FLM improvements for all of the seven stations of the full nine-mile Project: Atlantic, Atlantic/Whittier, Commerce/Citadel, Greenwood, Rosemead, Norwalk, and Lambert. These stations serve the cities of Commerce, Montebello, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, and Whittier, and the unincorporated communities of East Los Angeles and West Whittier-Los Nietos. The Board’s adoption of the Plan furthers Metro’s goals, as the implementation of the Plan will provide pathways to transit for people of all ages and abilities, improve the safety of public streets and sidewalks for active transportation users, promote a healthy and active lifestyle, and reduce dependency on vehicle trips. Additionally, the Plan better positions FLM improvements for funding and implementation.
Background
BACKGROUND
As part of the Existing Conditions Analysis, the project team coordinated with local jurisdictions to review plans, policies, and projects that overlap the seven proposed stations and the three-mile wheel zone, equating to a 15-minute roll to/from the station using devices such as bicycles, wheelchairs, scooters, etc. There are several active transportation investments near the project area, including Measure M-funded projects in Pico Rivera, Commerce, and East Los Angeles.
The Plan includes a list of projects that improve safety, comfort, and access for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other wheeled users to the seven Project stations. Pedestrian projects are identified within the ½-mile radius around each station and wheel/bicycle projects are identified within the 3-mile radius around each station.
The Metro FLM planning methodology, described in the 2021 First/Last Mile Guidelines, was used as the basis for Plan development.
Additional supporting documentation for the plan, including the Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) Cost Estimates for FLM priority projects, and conceptual illustrations will be included in a final published plan document after Board adoption.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Plan Summary and Key Findings
There are a range of access, safety, and user experience issues affecting the seven stations including high traffic speeds and volume, incomplete bike networks, a lack of shade, and poor crossing and sidewalk conditions. The Plan presents a prioritized list of projects to address these issues and improve safety, connectivity, and station accessibility for pedestrians and wheeled users (including bicycles, scooters, and other modes of non-motorized wheeled transportation). Broadly, improvements include, but are not limited to, new or improved sidewalks and crosswalks, bus stop improvements, pedestrian lighting, landscaping and shade, traffic calming, and various types of bicycle facilities to prioritize safety for all ages and abilities.
In total, 273 pedestrian projects were identified, with 202 pedestrian projects prioritized, averaging 29 priority pedestrian projects per station. For wheel/bicycle projects, a total of 116 projects were identified, with 66 prioritized, averaging 9 priority wheel/bicycle projects per station. The number of projects proposed for each station area differs due to distinct land uses and street grids. The full list of projects for each station is included in the Plan, available in Attachment A. The final published plan will also contain additional background and reference material and may contain non-substantive format and text edits.
Process
Following community engagement, the project team developed a list of projects on primary and secondary pathways for each station. The team then applied prioritization to the project list, based on Metro’s adopted FLM Prioritization Methodology , resulting in a set of priority projects on primary pathways. These priority projects are eligible for local jurisdictions to advance toward design and construction.
Under Method 3 - Local Flexibility in the adopted FLM Prioritization Methodology, local jurisdictions can propose priority projects for Metro’s review and approval. Metro received 50 project proposals from local jurisdictions and approved 45 total projects. Metro staff recommends including proposed projects based on Board-approved criteria, such as a project’s clear evidence of community support. Projects not recommended for inclusion are either not geared around access and safety improvements for walking and wheeled modes or lack a clear nexus to the transit station.
Coordination with Local Agencies
FLM projects require close coordination with the local agencies that control the rights-of-way around Metro stations. Metro held a series of meetings with agency staff from the cities of Commerce, Montebello, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, Whittier, and Los Angeles County. Staff held office hours with local agencies to review pathway networks and engagement outcomes, and to preview the next steps. Staff then held a series of working sessions to review the project list and discuss agency project proposals. Staff also provided a review and comment period for the prioritized project list and ROM cost estimates.
Staff provided periodic updates to the Gateway Cities Council of Governments (COG) and the Washington Boulevard Coalition and participated in regular monthly briefings for Metro Board Office staff.
Community Engagement
The project team included strategic compensated partnerships with three community-based organizations (CBO): People for Mobility Justice, Public Matters, and Strength-Based Community Change. The CBOs were an invaluable asset in shaping engagement strategies and recruiting community members to participate in engagement activities.
With strategic guidance from CBO partners, staff developed a comprehensive Community Engagement Strategy (CES). The CES included specific strategies to engage community members and elevate the needs of transit riders. Staff conducted 16 in-person activities, including six community walk/wheel audits, two community walk audits, seven pop-up events, and one FLM Partnership Briefing. Additionally, seven technical walk audits were conducted and attended by the project team, city and county staff, and CBO partners. Staff also launched and promoted an online map-based survey. The community feedback resulted in a rich body of data that informed the development of the prioritized project list, particularly emphasizing a need for shade and pedestrian and cyclist lighting. Community participation was integral to the decision-making process and crafting a project list that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of each community. Future community outreach efforts will also focus on engaging community members with varying mobility needs, including those in wheelchairs.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
This Plan presents project ideas that promote improved safety for people walking or using non-motorized wheeled transportation around future Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 stations.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Adoption of this Plan has no impact on the budget. Preparation of the Plan is included in the adopted budget for FY25, and budgeted in Cost Center 4310, Project # 460232, Task 02.03.
Project implementation is led by local jurisdictions;Projects included in this Plan enable local agencies to design and construct the project as part of their 3% local match requirement for the separate Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Light Rail Project. .
Impact to Budget
The source of fund for this project is Measure R 35% Transit Capital. This fund source is not eligible for Metro bus and rail operations expenses.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
The Plan proposes projects that will improve safety, comfort, and accessibility for the most vulnerable users of our streets - pedestrians and bicyclists. Much of the transit corridor, excluding Whittier, are included in the top 20 percent of overall CalEnviroScreen scores. The jurisdictions along the transit corridor, excluding Whittier, are classified by Metro as Equity Focus Communities.
The Plan was developed with significant community feedback, summarized in the Community Engagement section of this report, with additional detail available in Attachment A. Partnerships with CBOs were integral to broaden the engagement efforts and increase participation from communities that are generally underrepresented in public participation processes. Materials and activities for community engagement were made available in English and Spanish.
In addition to the three CBO partners, Public Matters also engaged five CBOs from East Los Angeles to develop Community-Led Video Tours. These groups included The Garage Board Shop, Eastmont Community Center, East LA Women’s Center, East LA Runner’s Club, and Moving Con Safos.
In the development of the Plan, the project team coordinated closely with the six jurisdictions along the corridor. Should the cities advance this concept-level Plan, additional research and community engagement are encouraged to better understand and mitigate potential impacts and ensure the project’s benefits are equitably distributed.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The recommended actions support two Strategic Plan goals:
• Deliver outstanding trip experiences (Goal #2): the FLM plan recognizes that trip experience includes time getting to and from transit stations. The Plan prepares projects that make trip experiences safer, more comfortable, and more accessible.
• Transform LA County through collaboration and leadership (Goal #4): Metro is uniquely situated to prepare FLM plans that span jurisdictional boundaries. In adopting this Plan, Metro is leading in this area by preparing FLM projects at the future Atlantic, Atlantic/Whittier, Commerce/Citadel, Greenwood, Rosemead, Norwalk, and Lambert Stations.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board could decide not to approve the FLM Plan. This is not recommended for the following reasons:
1) May 2016 Board approved Motion 14.1 by Directors Garcetti, Bonin, Kuehl, Solis, DuBois, and Najarian, First - Last Mile (Attachment B), directs FLM projects to be incorporated into transit corridor project delivery; and
2) An adopted plan better positions the FLM projects for future grant funding opportunities.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Following the FLM Plan adoption, staff anticipates commencing post-plan activities with cities that choose to advance FLM priority projects toward design and construction. This includes entering into cooperative agreements with cities to advance priority projects eligible for 3% contribution and supporting multi-jurisdictional coordination as needed.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - First/Last Mile Plan for Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project
Attachment B - Motion 14.1 - First-Last Mile
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Mariko Toy, Senior Transportation Planner, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 547-4330
Neha Chawla, Senior Manager, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 922-3984
Jacob Lieb, Senior Director, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 547-4272
Avital Barnea, Senior Executive Officer, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 547-4317
Allison Yoh, Interim Deputy Chief Planning Officer, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 922-4812
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Ray Sosa, Chief Planning Officer, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 547-4274
