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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.2 Update on the Dublin Boulevard Extension ProjectCELEBRATING STAFF REPORT CITY COUNCIL DUBLIN CALIFORNIA Agenda Item 7.2 DATE: August 16, 2022 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Linda Smith, City Manager SU B.ECT : Update on the Dublin Boulevard Extension Project Prepared by: Pratyush Bhatia, Transportation and Operations Manager EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The City Council will receive an update on the Dublin Boulevard Extension Project. The City of Dublin, in cooperation with the City of Livermore, Alameda County Transportation Commission, and Alameda County, proposes to extend Dublin Boulevard approximately 1.5 miles eastward through unincorporated Alameda County and connect to North Canyons Parkway in Livermore, from its current terminus at Fallon Road. The extension is planned to have four to six travel lanes, a Class I trail on the north side, buffered bike lanes, sidewalks, traffic signals, streetlights, utilities, and landscaping. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Receive the report on the Dublin Boulevard Extension project and provide feedback. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None. DESCRIPTION: Background Dublin Boulevard is a major arterial roadway that connects the entire City from the western city limit to Fallon Road on the east. The roadway is a key route for transit buses, pedestrians, bicyclists, and automobiles, connecting residential, commercial, and public uses, including two BART stations, with several access points to I-580. The Dublin Boulevard extension project proposes to extend the roadway approximately 1.5 miles from Fallon Road to North Canyons Parkway in the City of Livermore, through an unincorporated portion of Alameda County and has been planned since 1984. The City of Dublin General Plan Page 1 of 6 355 (GP), the General Plans of Alameda County and the City of Livermore, the Eastern Dublin Specific Plan (EDSP), the Fallon Village Supplemental Environmental Impact Report, and Plan Bay Area 2040 all include the extension of Dublin Boulevard. The project location is shown in Attachment 1. Project Description The City of Dublin is the lead agency for implementing the project. The extension is planned to have four to six travel lanes, a Class I trail on the north side, buffered bike lanes, sidewalks, traffic signals, streetlights, utilities, landscaping, and a bridge over Cottonwood Creek. Six travel lanes will be located within the City of Dublin and four travel lanes will be within unincorporated Alameda County and the City of Livermore. Local and regional planning efforts have identified several transportation goals, which the project, directly and indirectly, helps to achieve. The transportation goals are: • Increase bicycle and pedestrian access and circulation. • Interconnect five Priority Development Areas (PDAs) in Dublin and Livermore. • Improve overall mobility, access, connectivity, safety, and efficiency of the multimodal transportation system for all users, including goods movement. • Provide approaches and technologies that enhance the existing roadway system's efficiency and capacity without widening streets. • Reduce single -occupancy vehicle trips by providing a transit system along the roadway extension with improved headways during peak periods. The project provides a needed connection to undeveloped areas within the EDSP area east of Fallon Road and adjacent to the I-580 frontage. The proposed roadway extension also closes a gap in the existing local roadway network connecting Dublin and Livermore. Similarly, the roadway extension provides direct access from PDAs in Livermore (Isabel Avenue/Bay Area Rapid Transit Station) and Dublin (Town Center and Transit Center PDAs) to existing and planned employment and commercial areas in Dublin. Currently, trips between Dublin and Livermore are completed using I-580. The use of I-580 for local trips adds to congestion on the regional transportation network and indirectly generates additional air pollutants from traffic congestion due to idling vehicles. Additionally, the use of I- 580 for local trips may result in a longer trip length, requiring motorists to go out of their way to reach their destination. The project allows local users to shorten their trip distance by using local streets as well as reduce trips on I-580 by providing an alternate route for local travel. Project Status The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the project was certified and a mitigation monitoring and reporting program was adopted on August 20, 2019 (Resolution No. 90-19). The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Assessment (EA) for the project was completed in February 2021 with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). NEPA approval makes the project eligible to receive Federal funding. The Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) is the implementing agency for Page 2 of 6 356 the final design phase in cooperation with Dublin, Livermore, and Alameda County. On May 19, 2020, the City Council approved a Cooperative Agreement with those agencies for the design phase of the project (Resolution No. 38-20). The final design began in spring 2021 and is anticipated to be completed by winter 2023. Currently, the project design is 35% complete. Dublin's share of the project is fully funded only through the design phase, coming from the City's General Fund, Measure BB Grants, the Road Maintenance & Rehabilitation Account (SB-1), and the Eastern Dublin Transportation Impact Fee program (EDTIF). Near the completion of the design, the Utilities and Right -of -Way phase will begin, which includes the acquisition of street right-of-way and temporary construction easements. This phase is anticipated to take one year to complete. The Environmental Permitting phase will also begin near the end of the design phase and prior to construction and includes the off -site mitigation for direct and indirect impacts. Construction is anticipated to take 18 months and will not begin until all funding is secured, right-of-way is acquired, and all resource agency permits are issued. It is anticipated that construction of the extension would commence in 2026 provided that the funding is in place. Project Construction Costs and Funding Sources The preliminary engineering level cost estimate for the project is currently $151.5 million. This amount, which includes right-of-way, environmental mitigation, and construction costs, is anticipated to be divided among the cities of Dublin and Livermore based on the roadway length in each jurisdiction and the portion of the roadway in unincorporated Alameda County. It is expected that Dublin's share will be approximately $124 million, and Livermore's share will be approximately $27.5 million (this assumes that the project costs for the portion located in unincorporated Alameda County will be split evenly). The table below reflects Dublin's share of the costs and estimated funding sources, followed by a discussion of cost and funding considerations. The unidentified funding amount that Dublin is responsible for is $47.5 million. Page 3 of 6 357 Table 1: Project Cost (Dublin Share Only) and Funding Sources Project Costs - Dublin Right-of-way aquisition and construction Environmental mitigation $101.0 $23.0 Total Costs $124.0 Funding Sources EDTIF TVTD $63.0 $13.5 Total Funding $76.5 Remaining Funding Needed $47.5 Cost Notes and Considerations Environmental Impacts and Mitigation The project will impact the potential habitat for several special -status species, including the California Tiger Salamander and California red -legged frog. The project will also impact a stream channel, seasonal wetland, and riparian habitat. The project could potentially impact the habitat for several other special -status species, such as the tri-colored blackbird, western pond turtle, San Joaquin kit fox, and burrowing owls. The EIR and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Biological Opinion identified 22.7 acres of permanent direct impact due to the construction of the roadway. Direct permanent impacts will result from the permanent replacement of existing habitat within the footprint of the new road. The EIR identified up to 133.47 acres of permanent indirect impacts south of the roadway. Indirect impacts will result from the isolation of habitat by the new road for lands between the developed areas of the new road and Interstate 580. Compensatory mitigation for impacts to these species' habitat is required in accordance with the measures outlined in the East Alameda County Conservation Strategy (EACCS). Mitigation can take the form of purchase of mitigation credits from a mitigation bank or project -specific mitigation or other mitigation plan. The ratio of mitigation to impact varies with the location of the proposed mitigation, and would be 2.5:1 at a minimum, but may be as high as 4:1. The ratio is defined as the acreage of new habitat to the acreage of impacted habitat. The estimated cost of implementing these mitigation measures is approximately $12.5 to $23 million, with the mitigation credits from a mitigation bank being the most expensive. The project costs discussed in this Staff Report assume $23 million in total mitigation costs (roughly $4.4 million in direct mitigation and $18.6 in indirect mitigation). Page 4 of 6 358 Right -of -Way Acquisition The permanent area required for the project, including the roadway, Class I trail, sidewalks, buffered bike lanes, and intersections as street right-of-way is estimated at about 29 acres. The right-of-way needed for the project is located within the highlighted properties in Attachment 2 within the Dublin city limits. All of these properties have conceptual development plans, and a few are in the planning and entitlement phase. Staff is working with each of the property owners to require right-of-way dedication through their entitlements, however, if the roadway project is constructed ahead of the development schedule, the City may need to acquire the right-of-way directly from the property owners. Funding Notes and Considerations EDTIF and TVTD On December 21, 2021, the City Council adopted the update to the EDTIF, which includes this project (Resolution No. 144-21). As development occurs in the East Dublin program area, fees will be collected and will be allocated to the project up to the amount of approximately $63 million. The project cost included in the updated EDTIF is based on the share of future traffic volume using the Dublin Boulevard extension that is associated with the EDTIF area land use. It should be noted that the EDTIF funding is not expected to be available by the time the construction phase starts but will be collected over the full buildout duration of Eastern Dublin. Staff is exploring ways of advancing this funding until it is collected. On June 21, 2022, the City Council adopted the Tri-Valley Transportation Development Fee and received a report on the Nexus Study and Strategic Expenditure Plan, which includes the project and allocates $16 million for the Right -of -Way Phase. A portion of this is anticipated to be allocated to the Livermore share of the project, leaving Dublin with approximately $13.5 million in TVTD funds. Other Potential Funding As discussed above, Staff expects this project to have $23 million in total environmental mitigation costs. Of that, the $4.4 million in direct mitigation costs can be covered by the EDTIF program and have been included in the total EDTIF funding shown in this report, leaving $18.6 in indirect mitigation costs not yet funded. Because the indirect mitigation work will serve to benefit the property owners, Staff has engaged the owners in discussions about creating a reimbursement structure whereby the City would be made whole for these costs. Moreover, should the City move forward with advancing both the indirect mitigation funding as well as EDTIF funding, it is anticipated that the project would then become eligible and competitive for Measure BB funds that could cover a significant amount of the remaining $28.9 million for this project. With that in mind, Staff is continuing to evaluate every federal, state, and local grant opportunity available and work with Alameda CTC to identify sources for Dublin's share of unfunded project costs. Some opportunities, such as those listed below, were not pursued as the project is still in the early stages of design (i.e., not "shovel -ready") or does not meet the inclusionary or sustainability criteria for these grant programs. • Infrastructure for Building America (INFRA) Page 5 of 6 359 • Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) • State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) • Alameda CTC Comprehensive Investment Program (CIP) • One -Bay Area Grant Cycle 3 (OBAG 3) • Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Next Steps Staff continues to work on the project and the next steps include the following: • Continue to coordinate with Zone 7 and Alameda County to review the Cottonwood Creek bridge and improvements along the proposed corridor. • Continue to coordinate with the City of Livermore, Alameda County, and Zone 7 to review the plans, specifications, and estimates. • Develop a funding plan for right-of-way acquisition and continue to work with private property owners. • Develop a funding plan for the construction phase, including the purchase of environmental mitigation land or credits from a mitigation bank. STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE: None NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: The City Council Agenda was posted. ATTACHMENTS: 1) Project Location and Alignment 2) Right -of -Way Acquisition Properties in the City of Dublin Page 6 of 6 360 Attachment I Project Location and Alignment 111.1Ji1 .64 n aaowaani1 11111i1 /luno3 epawely Project Alignment 1 1 ti L Regional Location and Project Alignment Source: Circiepoint, 2018 361 Attachment 2 Right -of -Way Acquisition Properties FI • :,,17','.,1,1% :. -. r -., • r• dr Properties in Dublin where right-of-way has to be acquired. Assessor's Parcel Number Jurisdiction Right -of -Way Acquisition square feet (sf) 985-0027-002 Dublin 470,000 905-0001-006-03 Dublin 125,000 905-0001-005-02 Dublin 100,000 905-0001-004-04 Dublin 90,000 905-0001-004-03 Dublin 20,000 905-0001-003-02 County 160,000 905-0001-001-02 County 250,000 Source: BKF, 2018 ;7 1/ DUBLIN CALIFORNIA Item 7.2 Update on the Dublin Boulevard Extension Project August 16, 2022 363 Project Location and Description Marne, - Road Termind 1.5 miles extension 6 lanes in Dublin to 4 lanes in Livermore Bike Lanes Sidewalk Landscaping Street Lighting Utilities 1 '-' c. 364 Project Location and Description c 0 u_ Large Cut/Fill Area 'Abandon Portion of Croak Road Construct New Turnaround Croak Road CITY OF DUBLIN Al ALAMEDA COUNTY U 0 U WB 1-550 EB 1-580 Property of Las Positas Community College — E 8 0 a� E Livermore City Limits 3:1 OR FLATTER LATTER OG Aim r5 Eiml. Project Description Typical section from Fallon Road to Croak Road 5RLD ST111P i1M THAGH THFIGH THIZGH L5 SHAREp kATR STILSHLPr TI1 cameo LANE k LANE LIME .„ i TT:H- 5TOATE4R TREATMENT SMARMIER TREATMENT OeG MEDIAN iSHLD RliiIPS Esml HROUGH THROLGH THRaLG111117 6f 51R1P 5W t LS i LANE LAME LANE jgWl I I SECTION B—B ISECT]DN SHOW.' FACES EAST) STORMNATER TREATMENT III 1 Typical section east of Croak Road and through County to Livermore R!w I5 Eamit RA 51-LO SHLD 5ML0 LILHIP SII IRE6 PATH SIIHP SNL 4 T LRO li I TH GN AKE LANE I SI I 1 1 1 1 STORNWATER TREATMENT STORmmATER TREATMENT SNELBUOU1i I go AN THLAMEGH T ROLCH apf�LAME LANE STORLIrATER TREATMENT SECTION D-D !SECTION SWAN FACES EAST} SEI SW Low SRU LSi FG Ean11� 3:1 OR FLATTER 9{'r Project Status • CEQA completed — EIR w/ MMRP, Aug 2019 • NEPA completed — EA w/ FONSI, Feb 2021 • Cooperative Agreement with Livermore &Alameda CTC for Design Phase • MOA Design Review ($300,330 Dublin; $ 127,770 Livermore) • Design Phase began in May 2021; 35% review complete • Anticipated completion of Design Phase:Winter 2023 • Right -of -Way and Environmental Phases begin towards the end of Design Phase. • Construction anticipated to begin in 2026 if funding available. Environmental Impacts Habitat within Biological Study Area Legend 171 8iabpcdSfisdy Area 114133 aaj •-• Electrical Overhead Ulf* line ■ Cartgdar:sTcephsl Occurence lapallm Congdan'sTarplant Occurcnce Area Impede YpRnarenl \ Temporary Temporary Congdon s Taplad NahiMk CaHaetia Amraol Grassland 1121.31 oc; Seasonal Wettor•d j10.I3 ocj - Pnemial MnrR 0O.O7 e[) Pnmreial $1ream 10.33 xJ ▪ RparipsWaadlpid klpotr+ GroukrW 13.0a ocl Ephemeral Shecm [0.13 acl Developed 15.71 oc3 Environmental Impacts Mitigation • Permanent direct and indirect potential loss of habitat for special status species — California Tiger Salamander and Red -legged Frog — Potential Impact to several other species (San Joaquin kit fox, tri-colored blackbird, western pond turtle, and burrowing owls) — Impacts to stream channel, seasonal wetlands and riparian habitat — Ratio of mitigation to impact ranges from 2.5: I (minimum) to 4:1 • Estimated perm impacts: direct 22.7 acres (CRLF, CTS); indirect 133.47 acres (CRLF, CTS) • Mitigation can take the form of purchase of mitigation credits from a mitigation bank or off -site mitigation; Estimated cost $ 1 2.5M-23M 369 Right -of -Way Acquisition 28 acres Conceptual Development Planning and Entitlement Phase Dedication or Acquisition Assela rCeloes Number Jurisdiction Right -of -Way Acquisition square feet (sf) 985-0027-002 Dublin 470,000 905-0001-006-03 Dublin 125.000 905-0001-005-02 Dublin 100,000 905-0001-004-04 Dublin 90.000 905-0001-004-03 Dublin 20,000 905-0001-003-02 County 160.000 905-0001-001-02 County 250.000 Source BKF.2018 Project Costs • Project Cost (2020 preliminary engineering level estimate) : $ 15 I.SM — Right -of -Way and Environmental: $47.5M — Construction: $ 104M • Divided between Dublin and Livermore based on roadway length. • Unincorporated Alameda County costs split evenly — Dublin: $ 124M — Livermore: $27.5M Project Costs Dublin Costs in Millions Project. Costs - Dublin Right-of-way aquisition and construction $101.0 Environmental mitigation $23.0 Total Costs $124.0 Funding Sources EDTIF TT'D $63.0 1 .5 Total Funding 7 .5 Remaining Funding Needed 47.5 DUBLIN Funding Considerations • EDTIF Update Adopted December 2 I , 202 I — EDTIF funding of $63M not expected by construction — Staff exploring ways to advance funding • TVTD fee adopted June 2 I , 2022: $ 1 6M for project, $ 13.5M for Dublin. • Environmental Impacts — Direct Impact mitigation cost $4.4M included in EDTIF — Indirect Impact mitigation cost $ 1 8.6M not funded Potential Funding • Indirect Impact Mitigation ($ 1 8.6M) benefits property owners — Staff has engaged owners to create a reimbursement structure • Remaining Dublin cost assuming EDTIF, TVTD, indirect impact mitigation cost reimbursement- $28.9M — $63M(EDTIF) — $ 13.5 M (TVTD) — $18.6M(Owner Reimbursement) • Potential Funding — State and Federal Grants, Measure BB Next Steps • Continue to work with Zone 7 and Alameda County — review of Cottonwood Creek, bridge and improvements • Continue to work with City of Livermore,Alameda County and Zone 7 —review of the Design • Funding Plan for Right-of-way Acquisition including Environmental Mitigation Land or Bank, and continue to work with private property owners • Funding Plan for Construction Phase DUBLIN CALIFORNIA ThankYou https://dublin.ca.gov/I 9 376