Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 18, 2024
Subject
SUBJECT: MEASURE M MULTI-YEAR SUBREGIONAL PROGRAM AND MEASURE R TRANSIT INVESTMENTS PROGRAM UPDATE - SOUTH BAY SUBREGION
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
CONSIDER:
A. APPROVING:
1. Programming of an additional $11,164,810 within the capacity of Measure M Multi-Year Subregional Program (MSP) - Transportation System and Mobility Improvements Program (Expenditure Line 50), as shown in Attachment A;
2. Programming of an additional $11,586,591 within the capacity of Measure M MSP - South Bay Highway Operational Improvements Program (Expenditure Line 63), as shown in Attachment B;
3. Programming of an additional $600,000 within the capacity of Measure M MSP - Transportation System and Mobility Improvements Program (Expenditure Line 66), as shown in Attachment C;
4. Programming of an additional $16,300,000 within the capacity of Measure R South Bay Transit Investments Program, shown in Attachment D; and
B. AUTHORIZING the CEO or their designee to negotiate and execute all necessary agreements and/or amendments for approved projects.
Issue
ISSUE
Measure M MSPs and Measure R South Bay Transit Investments Programs, whose funds are limited to capital uses, are included in the Measure M and/or Measure R Expenditure Plans. The annual update allows the South Bay subregion and implementing agencies to approve new eligible projects for funding and revise scopes of work, schedules, and project budgets for previously funded projects.
This update includes changes to projects that previously received Board approvals and funding allocations for new projects. Funds are programmed through Fiscal Year (FY) 2027-28. The Board’s approval is required to program additional funds and acknowledge the updated project lists, which will serve as the basis for Metro to enter into funding agreements and/or amendments with the respective implementing agencies.
Background
BACKGROUND
In September 2019, the Metro Board of Directors approved South Bay Subregion’s first MSP Five-Year Plan (Plan) and programmed funds in 1) Transportation System and Mobility Improvements Program (expenditure line 50); 2) South Bay Highway Operational Improvements (expenditure line 63); and 3) Transportation System and Mobility Improvements Program (expenditure line 66). Since the first Plan, staff provided annual updates to the Board in August 2020, September 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Based on the amount provided in the Measure M Expenditure Plan, $465.9 million was forecasted for programming for Fiscal Years (FY) 2017-18 to FY 2027-28. In prior actions, the Board approved programming of $295.1 million. Therefore, $170.8 million of Measure M MSP funds is available to the Subregion for programming as part of this update.
In July 2021, the Metro Board of Directors approved the Measure R Ordinance Amendment that authorized the transfer of up to $400 million from the Measure R Highway Capital Subfund to eligible Transit Capital projects. The South Bay Transit Investments Program was added to the Measure R Expenditure Plan, and the Measure R Transit Investments Program Guidelines were also approved. In September 2021, the Metro Board of Directors approved the project list and programmed funds for ten projects. Since the first Plan, staff provided annual updates to the Board in September 2022 and 2023. In prior actions, the Board approved programming of $350.9 million. Therefore, $49.1 million of Measure R is available to the Subregion for programming as part of this update.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Metro staff worked closely with the SBCCOG and the implementing agencies on project eligibility reviews preparing for the annual update, including changes to the scope of work and/or funding requests. The jurisdictional requests are proposed by the cities and approved/forwarded by the subregion. In line with the Metro Board adopted guidelines and June 2022 Objectives for Multimodal Highway Investments, cities provide documentation demonstrating community support, project need, and multimodal transportation benefits that enhance safety, support traffic mobility, economic vitality, and enable a safer and well-maintained transportation system. Cities lead and prioritize all proposed transportation improvements, including procurement, the environmental process, outreach, final design, and construction. Each city and/or agency, independently and in coordination with the subregion undertakes their jurisdictionally determined community engagement process specific to the type of transportation improvement they seek to develop. These locally determined and prioritized projects represent the needs of cities.
During staff review, Metro required a detailed project scope of work to confirm project eligibility, reconfirm funding eligibility for those that request changes in the project scope of work, and establish the program nexus during project reviews, i.e. project location information and limits, length, elements, phases, total estimated expenses and funding request, schedules, etc. Final approval of funds for the projects shall be contingent upon the implementing agency demonstrating the eligibility of each project, as required in the Measure M Master Guidelines and/or the Measure R Transit Investments Program Guidelines. Staff expect the collection of the project details in advance of Metro Board action to enable the timely execution of project Funding Agreements for approved projects. Additionally, all projects are subject to a close-out audit after completion, per the Guidelines.
The changes in this annual update include additional programming of Measure M MSP in the Transportation System & Mobility Improvement Program (Attachment A), South Bay Highway Operational Improvements Program (Attachment B), Transportation System & Mobility Improvement Program (Attachment C), and Measure R Transit Investments Program (Attachment D).
Transportation System and Mobility Improvements Program (Expenditure Line 50)
This update includes funding adjustments to two existing and two new projects as follows:
Carson
• Program $4,512,915 in FYs 25 & 26 for MM4601.17 - South Bay Local Travel Network (LTN) in Carson. The project includes deploying 32.1 LTN route miles as a Class III shared lane (sharrow) network and branded wayfinding system on low-speed neighborhood streets to connect individuals with key destinations. The funds will be used for the project's Plans Specification and Estimates (PS&E) and construction phases.
LA City
• Reprogram previously approved $10,207,400 as follows: $2,670,000 in FY 25, $3,544,000 in FY 26, and $3,993,400 in FY 26 for MM4601.03 - Avalon Promenade and Gateway. The project will construct a dedicated pedestrian/cycling bridge over the active freight railroad tracks and approximately 12 acres of public open space adjacent to the pedestrian bridge. The funds will be used for the project’s construction phase.
Lomita
• Program $6,651,895 in FYs 25 & 26 for MM4601.18 - South Bay Local Travel Network (LTN) & Related Safety Enhancements in Lomita. The project includes deploying 5.35 LTN route miles as a Class III shared lane (sharrow) network and branded wayfinding system on low-speed neighborhood streets to connect individuals with key destinations. Additionally, it includes construction and installation of additional street calming facilities on Eshelman as LTN safety enhancements. The funds will be used for the project's PS&E and construction phases.
Redondo Beach
• Reprogram previously approved $1,272,700 to FY 25 for MM4601.16 - South Bay Local Travel Network in Redondo Beach. This project will implement a Class III shared lane (sharrow) network and branded wayfinding system on low-speed neighborhood streets to connect individuals with key destinations. The funds will be used for the project's PS&E and construction phases.
South Bay Highway Operational Improvements Program (Expenditure Line 63)
This update includes funding adjustments to five existing projects as follows:
Hawthorne
• Program additional $986,591 in FY 25 for MM5507.01 - North East Hawthorne Mobility Improvement Project. The project includes the installation of flashing beacons for pedestrian safety, new traffic signal installation, and construction of new ADA ramps. The funds will be used for the project's PS&E, Right-of-Way (ROW), and construction phases.
Inglewood
• Program additional $1,900,000 in FY 25 for MM5507.06 - Downtown ITS Project. The project is to connect corridors in the downtown area to the City’s Traffic Management Center, which allows the City to monitor real-time traffic conditions and take proper action when congestion or problems occur. The funds will be used for the project’s Project Approval/Environmental Document (PAED), PS&E, and construction phases.
• Program additional $5,200,000 in FY 25 for MM5507.11 - Crenshaw Blvd. ITS Project. The project will upgrade the Crenshaw Boulevard traffic signal systems to be fully integrated and compatible with the City’s Intelligent Transportation System network. This will allow the City to actively monitor the traffic conditions in real time and for the City to make real-time adjustments to improve traffic flow. The funds will be used for the project’s construction phase.
LA County
• Program additional $3,000,000 in FY 26 for MM5507.07 - Avalon Blvd. TSSP in the City of Carson Project. The project will construct the traffic signal synchronization improvements on Avalon Boulevard by upgrading the traffic signals, providing additional vehicle detection to enable operation as a full traffic-actuated signal, and installing the appropriate components to enable each signal to be capable of timed-based coordination. The funds will be used for the project’s PAED, PS&E, and construction phases.
Redondo Beach
• Program additional $500,000 in FY 25 for MM5507.22 - Traffic Signal Communications and Network System Phase 2 Project. The project will construct the advanced traffic signal network/communications system, to upgrade in-field traffic signal equipment to help monitor and modify traffic signal operations to streamline mobility and ultimately, enhance traffic safety throughout the city. The funds will be used for the project’s PAED and PS&E phases.
Transportation System and Mobility Improvements Program (Expenditure Line 66)
This update includes funding adjustments to one existing project as follows:
Redondo Beach
• Program additional 600,000 in FY 25 for MM4602.08 - North Redondo Beach Bikeway (NRBB) Extension - Felton Ln. to Inglewood Ave. This project extends the existing North Redondo Beach Bikeway from Felton Lane to Inglewood Avenue. The funds will be used for the project’s PAED, PS&E, and construction phases.
Measure R Transit Investments Program
This update includes funding adjustments to two existing projects as follows:
Gardena
• Reprogram previously approved $12,375,000 as follows: $8,375,000 in FY 26, and $4,000,000 in FY 27 for MR524.03 - GTrans: Purchase of Up to 15 Expansion Buses. The project enables the agency to purchase up to 15 expansion buses for use in the deployment of additional services within the GTrans service area, over 10 years. The funds will be used for the projects’ construction capital phase.
Inglewood
• Program additional $16,300,000 in FY 25 for MRINGITC - Inglewood Transit Connector Project. The project is to complete a critical first/last mile gap between the countywide Metro Rail system and the City of Inglewood’s new housing and employment centers, and sports and entertainment venues. The funds will be used for the project's PAED, PS&E, ROW, and construction phases.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
Programming of Measure M MSP and Measure R Transit Investments funds to the South Bay Subregion projects will not have any adverse safety impacts on Metro’s employees or patrons.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
In FY 25, $179.5 million is budgeted in Cost Center 0441 (subsidies budget - Planning) for South Bay Transit Investment Program (Project #465524), $1.5 million is budgeted in Cost Center 0442 (Highway Subsidies) for the Transportation System Mobility Improvement Program (Project #475502), $500,000 is budgeted in Cost Center 0442 (Highway Subsidies) for the South Bay Highway Operational Improvements Program (Project #475507), and $4 million is budgeted in Cost Center 0442 (Highway Subsidies) for the Transportation System Mobility Improvement Program (Project #475508). Upon approval of this action, staff will reallocate necessary funds to appropriate projects within Cost Centers 0441 and 0442. Since these are multi-year projects, Cost Centers 0441 and 0442 will be responsible for budgeting the cost in future years.
Impact to Budget
The sources of funds for these projects are Measure M Highway Construction 17% and Measure R Transit Capital. These fund sources are not eligible for Metro bus and rail operations expenses.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
The South Bay subregion comprises 15 cities and the adjacent unincorporated area of Los Angeles County. Equity Focus Communities (EFCs) within the subregion are concentrated in Gardena, Hawthorne, Inglewood, the City of Los Angeles, and the unincorporated County of Los Angeles. Eighteen percent of census tracts are defined as EFC in the Subregion.
The SBCCOG projects have a range of potential equity benefits. The Hawthorne project, for example, will help the many pedestrians, cyclists, and people with disabilities traversing the corridor connect to destinations and opportunities more safely. The traffic calming features will increase safer, more equitable streets for non-drivers. As another example, the City of LA project, located in an EFC area in Wilmington, will construct a dedicated pedestrian/cycling bridge over active freight railroad tracks, and the future realigned Water Street. The bridge will include walking/cycling paths, benches, lighting, shade trees, bike racks, and other features to provide a safe path for non-drivers.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The recommendation supports the following goals of the Metro Vision 2028 Strategic Plan:
Goal 1: Provide high-quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling by alleviating the current operational deficiencies and improving mobility along the projects.
Goal 4: Transform LA County through regional collaboration by partnering with the Council of Governments and the local jurisdictions to identify the needed improvements and take the lead in development and implementation of their projects.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board could elect not to approve the additional programming of funds for the Measure M MSP and Measure R Transit Investments Program projects for the South Bay Subregion. This is not recommended as the Subregion developed the proposed projects in accordance with the Measure M Ordinance, Guidelines, and Administrative Procedures, as well as the Measure R Transit Investments Program Guidelines.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Metro staff will continue to work with the Subregion to identify and deliver projects. Funding Agreements will be executed with those who have funds programmed in FY 2024-25. Program/Project updates will be provided to the Board annually.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Transportation System and Mobility Improvements Program (expenditure line 50) Project List
Attachment B - South Bay Highway Operational Improvements Program (expenditure line 63) Project List
Attachment C - Transportation System and Mobility Improvements Program (expenditure line 66) Project List
Attachment D - Measure R South Bay Transit Investments Program Project List
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Fanny Pan, Executive Officer, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 418-3433
Laurie Lombardi, Senior Executive Officer, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 418-3251
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Ray Sosa, Chief Planning Officer, (213) 547-4274
