TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
SUBJECT: ACTC 2026 Comprehensive Investment Program Funding
ACTION ITEM
AGENDA PLANNING REQUEST: ☐
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider adoption of Resolution No. 24-034, authorizing the General Manager or his designee to file and execute an application and funding agreement for Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC) administered funding for the Grand Avenue Improvements Project and committing any necessary matching funds and stating assurances to complete the Project.
Staff Contact:
Chris Andrichak, Chief Financial Officer
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Financial Stability and Resiliency
Initiative - Financial Efficiency and Revenue Maximization
The award of grant funds for this project will help improve transit performance in the Grand Avenue corridor.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
Staff recommends applying for up to $2 million for the Grand Avenue Improvements Project.
The 2026 ACTC Comprehensive Investment Program (ACTC CIP) Funds require a concurrent local match of 25%. If the District pursues this application for $2 million for the Grand Avenue Improvements Project, it will require a District contribution of $0.5 million over the 2-3 years of implementation. Staff would continue to pursue other grant funds to cover as much of the remaining local match required as possible.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
On July 26, 2024, ACTC announced the availability of $100 million in Fiscal Year 2026 funding to support initiatives and projects listed in its Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP). The CTP is Alameda’s countywide transportation improvement plan. The CTP is fully updated every four years. The purpose of the ACTC CIP is to realize the listed projects and goals outlined in the CTP.
The proposed project would meet ACTC’s goals as well as support AC Transit’s goal of transitioning to Zero Emission Buses by 2040.
The Grand Avenue Improvements Project will improve the speed and reliability of bus service along Grand Avenue between Mandela Parkway and Lake Park Avenue in the City of Oakland. The Project will focus on improving roadway safety for all users and complement the City of Oakland’s Grand Avenue Mobility Plan. The Project would fund outreach and preliminary engineering in FY 2025-26, FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28. This project does not yet have matching funds committed but this project is indicated a potential project for Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Regional Measure 3 (RM3) program.
Staff is engaging with partnering agencies on support for this grant application including Caltrans, the City of Oakland, and the City of San Leandro.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
The ACTC CIP funding presents an opportunity to fund projects with grant funding instead of District funds.
The application requires local match - however, the project will be competitive in seeking additional funds. In addition, successful project delivery requires District staff time.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
This is a competitive grant program.
Staff considered several potential AC Transit projects to apply for this program. To determine what projects to apply for these discretionary funds, staff evaluated the funding programs requirements, past successful and unsuccessful applications in prior cycles, and communicated with ACTC staff about potential projects.
This project was one of three selected (the other two are detailed in separate reports) as both the most competitive and ready for implementation.
Other than selecting a different project to apply for, the main alternative is to not apply for the ACTC funding, which would result in the project requiring alternative funding to proceed.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
SR 23-557 Funding Agreements with the Alameda County Transportation Commission
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution 24-034 of Local Support: Grand Avenue Improvements Project
Prepared by:
Jesse Rosemoore, Senior Capital Planning Specialist
In Collaboration with:
Emily Heard, Manager of Capital Planning and Grants
Approved/Reviewed by:
Chris Andrichak, Chief Financial Officer
Richard Oslund, Director of Management & Budget
Robert del Rosario, Director of Service Development and Planning
Aimee Steele, General Counsel/Chief Legal Officer