What is the best street design for a motorist? What about for a pedestrian? A bicyclist? What about one that accommodates all who use it? According to Smart Growth America, complete streets are “an approach to planning, designing, building, operating, and maintaining streets that enables safe access for all people who need to use them, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities.”
Complete streets are part of a larger push for alternative transportation in the U.S., and especially in the state of California. Alternative transportation includes any modes of transportation other than a single passenger motor vehicle. Government leaders encourage individuals to consider transportation modes other than single occupancy vehicles. Finding instances where you can swap a short car ride for a bike ride or walk can help eliminate congestion and strain on transportation networks and the environment.
Proven Success in Grant Funding
Our team has conducted design, construction management, and administrative services for many of these complete street projects. However, beyond completing project work, our team has also had the opportunity to secure funding for these important projects in California, totaling around $45 million dollars in received funds.
Zinfandel Drive Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing
Our grant writing team helped the community of Rancho Cordova, California, obtain a $20 million Active Transportation Program (ATP) funding award for constructing a dedicated pedestrian overcrossing of US-50. Critical to the ATP program was demonstrating that the community was involved in the project's development and influenced its outcome. To achieve this, we used an interactive online survey tool that helps the city understand survey takers' needs, preferences, and demographic makeup. As a result of this and other creative solutions, our highly ranked application scored an impressive 95 points out of 100 in the final rankings.
San Andreas Pope Street, Safe Routes to School Active Transportation Program Grant
After a decade of planning work, we helped the Calaveras County community of just under 4,000 residents secure a $10 million ATP grant award. The community and county public works department developed an innovative alternative to the traditional Class-1 trail standard. Located on a segment of the main street adjacent to the project area, the community’s use proved the effectiveness of this alternative pathway design, and they invited the ATP program managers out for a site visit. Supported by ATP management and the community, this successful application will extend asphalt pathways throughout the town. In addition, our team helped to prove to the ATP reviewers and local California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) staff the appropriateness of this innovative solution for low-volume rural applications. When complete, this project will transform the mobility of this small rural town.
Placerville Drive Bicycle and Pedestrian Gap Closure
We began the development of the Placerville Drive ATP as COVID-19 closed in-person activities in California. To be able to continue community outreach, our team identified and started using a web-based community outreach tool. Our team was successful in helping the city win $1 million in the local ATP to maintain the momentum of project development. After an insightful debrief from the state reviewers, our grant team polished the application and bolstered the outreach to the disadvantaged community, ultimately winning $15 million for the city in the statewide ATP.