To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Public Infrastructure
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2550
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): First
Title:
Title
Cooperative Agreement with Caltrans to continue project development for active transportation improvements to State Route 12 at Donald Gap in Sonoma Springs
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Approve and authorize the Director of Public Infrastructure to execute a Cooperative Agreement with Caltrans to develop a Project Approval and Environmental Documentation (PA&ED) for the design and construction of the Active Transportation Improvements Project on State Route 12 (SR 12) in Sonoma Springs.
end
Executive Summary:
The Department of Public Infrastructure (SPI) is requesting the Board approve and authorize the Director of Public Infrastructure to execute a Cooperative Agreement with Caltrans to initiate the PA&ED phase for the Active Transportation Improvements Project on SR 12 in Sonoma Springs (Roads Project G22801) following the completion of the Project Initiation Document. If approved, the Cooperative Agreement will allow the County to act as sponsor and implementing agency for active transportation improvements in State right-of-way to close the Donald Gap. The proposed project would include construction of new sidewalks, a segment of Class 1 Bikeway to link the Central Sonoma Valley Trail, and a bike/pedestrian crossing across Agua Caliente Creek.
Discussion:
The section of SR 12 in Sonoma Springs between Encinas Lane and Donald Street known as “Donald Gap” lacks active transportation infrastructure causing unsafe conditions for pedestrians, bicycles, and motorists. With no sidewalk along this section, pedestrians walk along the shoulder of the busy highway ultimately resulting in conflicts with bicycles and vehicles sharing the roadway. Despite these conditions there is heavy bike and pedestrian traffic demonstrating a strong need for active transportation improvements.
SPI is leading a project to design and construct new sidewalks and active transportation improvements on SR 12 to close the Donald Gap between Encinas Lane and Donald Street. In addition to closing the existing sidewalk gaps between Encinas Lane and Donald Street, the proposed project would also include a segment of Class 1 Bikeway to create a link for the Central Sonoma Valley Trail. In addition, the project also proposes to create a safe bike and pedestrian crossing at the bridge over Agua Caliente Creek. Depending on environmental constraints and Caltrans approval, this new crossing could be accomplished by the construction of a separate bike/pedestrian structure adjacent to the existing bridge.
The existing sidewalk gap south of Donald Street will be improved by Caltrans (part of SHOPP project EA 04-3Y710).
SPI has engaged a consultant engineering firm to complete preliminary engineering, design, and preparation of bid-ready plans for the Donald Gap Active Transportation Improvements Project, with the goal of project construction beginning in 2027.
On March 12, 2024, the Board approved a Cooperative Agreement with Caltrans for the development of a Project Initiation Document (PID) for the Donald Gap Active Transportation Improvements Project, which was completed in early 2025.
If approved, the proposed Cooperative Agreement with Caltrans will allow SPI to continue to advance the project, including environmental review, with consultation and oversight from Caltrans. Under the Cooperative Agreement, the County will be responsible for the costs of the developing the Project Approval and Environmental Documentation (PA&ED). The Cooperative Agreement is required for improvements of this scale on State right-of-way to ensure that all aspects of the project are performed in accordance with State requirements and with State approval.
Strategic Plan:
This item directly supports the County’s Five-year Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following pillar, goal, and objective.
Pillar: Resilient Infrastructure
Goal: Goal 3: Continue to invest in critical road, bridge, bicycle, and pedestrian infrastructure.
Objective: Objective 3: Invest $5 million by 2024 on new pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and adopt maintenance guidelines on roads to consider bicyclists and pedestrians.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
3/12/2024 Cooperative Agreement with Caltrans for an Active Transportation Improvement
Project on State Route 12 at Donald Gap in Sonoma Springs
4/18/2023 Modified Tier 2 PG&E Settlement funds List of Projects
5/25/2021 Tier 2 PG&E Settlement funds List of Projects
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY25-26 Adopted |
FY26-27 Projected |
FY27-28 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$709,000 |
|
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
$0 |
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$709,000 |
|
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
$709,000 |
|
|
|
General Fund Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$709,000 |
|
|
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Appropriations for staff time and consultant engineering expenses related to the completion of the Donald Gap PA&ED are included in the FY 2025-26 Roads Division (11051-34010101) Adopted Budget. The PA&ED will be funded by the Infrastructure Resiliency Plan Tier 2 PG&E Fire Settlement funds in the amount of $359,000 and the District 1 Community Infrastructure funds in the amount of $350,000. The transfer of the District 1 funds to the SPI Road Fund will be included in the upcoming quarterly Consolidated Budget Adjustments.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
Draft Cooperative Agreement
Location Map
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.