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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPW US 101-580 Multi-Modal and Local Access Improvements Project MOUMEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR US 101/1-580 Multi -Modal and Local Access Improvement Project I. PURPOSE OF THE MOU This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by and between the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) and the City of San Rafael, collectively referred to as the "Parties", acknowledges a shared interest in advancing the U.S. 101/1-580 Multi -Modal and Local Access Improvement Project (Project) through a coordinated, inclusive, and efficient collaboration to evaluate project alternatives.. The MOU, executed on , commits the Parties to cooperate to develop a shared understanding of the Project area (Exhibit E), community context, transportation needs, preliminary alignment concepts and tradeoffs, inclusive evaluation and environmental reviews of proposed project alternatives, and respective Project responsibilities. . The term of the MOU shall commence upon execution by all parties, and unless amended, shall terminate at the completion of the Project Approval/Environmental Document (PAED) phase. The MOU may be amended by mutual consent of the Parties. This MOU is a useful step toward defining Cooperative Agreements that may follow in subsequent Project phases. The MOU solely constitutes a guide to the Parties' intentions, general objectives, and management framework. It is not intended to authorize funding or project effort, nor is it a legally binding contract. Funding commitments, providing for the deposit of funds or specific work phases or project effort, committing machine or personnel time, will be covered by one or more separate cooperative agreements in subsequent phases of the Project. An Appendix is attached to the MOU with the Exhibits referenced within this document. 11. PROJECT CONTEXT The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has placed a high priority on improving travel across the region's bridges, including their approaches. The Commission's Richmond -San Rafael Forward program supports a suite of strategies to increase the number of people moving across the Richmond -San Rafael (RSR) Bridge. Caltrans owns and maintains the Richmond -San Rafael (RSR) Bridge, U.S. 101, and Interstate (1)-580, which are part of the National Highway System and California's State Highway System. The northbound to eastbound approach from U.S. 101_ to the RSR Bridge is currently only accessible from low -speed, signalized, local roads, resulting in traffic delays that back up onto U.S. 101 and disrupt local road networks in Larkspur and San Rafael The City of San Rafael manages Bellam Boulevard within its 100-foot right-of-way. The street serves as a major multi -modal circulation route connecting diverse East San Rafael neighborhoods and businesses to U.S. 101, 1-580, and other parts of the city. Currently, regional traffic moving between U.S. 101 and 1-580 creates local travel delays and increases safety risks for bikes and pedestrians, including connection to commercial and industrial businesses along Andersen Drive and the North -South Greenway multi -use pathway at its southwestern terminus. TAM is the project sponsor for the PAED phase. Working closely with the City of San Rafael and multicultural non-profit partners, TAM is prioritizing inclusive, culturally appropriate community engagement. TAM engaged an equity planning expert to assist in designing and implementing an outreach and education plan. The plan included a multi -session, community -centered short-term training course focused on barriers to engagement in transportation planning and broader civic efforts. Other efforts include bilingual meeting and presentation materials and co -hosting local Spanish -language social media and community events to gather local input on needs, usage patterns, concerns, ambitions, and possible solutions for Bellam Boulevard, between Kerner Avenue and Anderson Drive. TAM also maintains a Project website: www.Marin101-580.com. The estimated cost of the project ranges between $20 - $290M depending on which of the three alternatives is selected (See Exhibit B). These costs are in 2030 dollars, subject to change, and do not include costs associated with required VMT mitigations. The project scope is funded by $135M from the Bay Area voter -approved Regional Measure 3 and $16.5M from the local voter -approved TAM Measure AA sales tax and expenditure plan. Additional funding will be required to complete the Project. A RM3 amendment will be required if the local alternative, Alternative 1, is selected., III. PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROJECT The Purpose of the project is to do the following: 1. Improve regional connectivity between northbound U.S. Route 101 and eastbound 1-580. 2. Improve traffic operations on local streets and freeway segments. 3. Enhance the active transportation (bicycle and pedestrian) network and improve bicycle and pedestrian safety within the community. 4. Improve transit access and travel times. 5. Support economic prosperity by providing better and more reliable access to local businesses. 6. Improve community cohesion by enhancing local connectivity to work, school, and businesses for disadvantaged communities near the project area. The Need for the project is: 1. Lack of connectivity between regional corridors. 2. Deficient traffic operations on local and regional facilities. 3. Limited local bicycle and pedestrian facilities. 4. Absence of transit links. IV. PROJECT SCOPE The Parties agree to the following Project Scope: 1. Execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to guide agency collaboration and public outreach during the PAED phase of the Project. 2. Maintain equitable community stakeholder engagement throughout the Project. 3. Complete an environmental document and evaluate two alternatives for a NB US101/EB 1-580 Connector design with traffic, bicycle, and pedestrian improvements on Bellam Boulevard, 2 between Kerner Avenue and Anderson Drive, and one Alternative that addresses the local Bellam corridor, without a direct connector, and the No Build Alternative. 4. Develop a conceptual design of a future WB 1-580 to SB U.S. 101 connector. Proposed Project design elements to be evaluated may include the following (note that some design elements do not apply to all alternatives): 1. A two-lane connector with standard shoulder from NB U.S. 101 to EB 1-580. 2. Replacing the existing EB 1-580 Bellam Blvd. undercrossing to better accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians on Bellam Boulevard. 3. Realigning and modifying the Bellam ramps to improve traffic operations and operational efficiency. 4. Operational improvements along Bellam Boulevard, including but not necessarily limited to roundabouts and/or signalized intersections. 5. Potentially extending the auxiliary lane from Bellam Blvd. to Sir Francis Drake along EB 1-580. 6. Potentially replacing the WB 1-580 Sir Francis Drake overcrossing to meet Caltrans design standards. 7. Potentially improving the Andersen Drive and Sir Francis Drake Blvd intersection. 8. Improving bicycle/pedestrian facilities on Bellam Blvd. from Kerner Blvd. to North -South Greenway entries, across and WB along Andersen Drive. 9. A conceptual design for a future WB 1-580 to SB U.S. 101 connector. 10. Improved traffic operation systems (TOS), including signalization, ramp metering, and transit advantage elements. 11. Installing Bellam Boulevard Gateway elements, including artwork, landscaping, and lighting. This scope was arrived at in collaboration with project partners after evaluating several alternatives, as shown in Exhibits C and D. V. KEY PROJECT ISSUES Ongoing Stakeholder engagement has identified the following community issues that the Project may consider: A. Shared Concerns 1. Freeway travel times 2. Regional through -traffic impacts on local streets (Poor LOS) 3. Local traffic back-ups onto U.S. 101 at the Bellam Blvd. off -ramp and Sir Francis Drake. Ability of a low -speed freeway connector near Bellam Blvd. to eliminate NB U.S. 101 PM congestion 4. Bike/pedestrian safety in the vicinity of the project, including a separated bike/pedestrian path, improved crosswalks, and lighting 5. Bus stop improvements and reliability of transit travel times 6. Social, economic, and environmental neighborhood impacts 7. Project cost 8. Business tax base impacts and opportunities 9. Impact on adopted plans and projects in the vicinity of the Project 10. Disposition of excess right-of-way upon project completion 11. Equitable outcomes 12. Air quality and noise impacts 9 13. Construction impacts 14. Project aesthetics and visual impacts 15. Emergency access to/from east San Rafael neighborhoods B. San Rafael Guiding Principles In July 2021, the City of San Rafael adopted Guiding Principles for the project, which are included in the Appendix as Exhibit G. VI. PROJECT MANAGEMENT All work will be performed in accordance with federal and California laws, regulations, and standards. A. FHWA The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has overall responsibility for the Federal -Aid Highway Program (FAHP), including ultimate responsibility for ensuring financial integrity and compliance with applicable federal laws and regulations. Agency representatives will provide strategic oversight, administer federal funds, determine Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) compliance with the Uniform Act, and serve as the lead agency for the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), delegated to Caltrans for administration. B. Caltrans FHWA has delegated major federal -aid implementation authority to Caltrans. Caltrans will interpret federal and state laws, rules, and regulations, serve as the lead agency for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), exercise its delegated responsibility for NEPA, and ensure compliance with all applicable Caltrans standards, manuals, and requirements. Caltrans approved the Project's PSR-PDS in September 2023, addressing the scope, schedule, cost, and future maintenance needs to ensure that the Project is implemented in a timely manner and achieves program goals. It will review and act on design exception requests on interstate facilities and act as liaison to FHWA regarding federal funding allocations, R/W and utility relocation process monitoring, engineering decisions, including approval of deviation from design standards. The Department will attend Project Executive Steering Committee (ESC) and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meetings. C. Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) TAM entered into a Cooperative Agreement with Caltrans for the Project Initiation Report phase of the project, designating it as a Sponsor of the work. The parties executed a second Cooperative Agreement for the Environmental phase (Appendix Exhibit 1). TAM will be responsible for: 1. Securing and administering the financial resources for the Project through the PAED phase 2. Securing a consultant team needed to complete the PAED phase of the project 3. Organizing and supporting the Project Development Team (PDT), ESC, TAC, Ad Hoc, and Board of Commissioners 4. Proposing Project Goals and Scope 5. Reviewing relevant studies (See Exhibit A) 6. Producing initial engineering analyses, mapping, constructability reviews, and life cycle cost analyses 7. Developing a set of Preliminary Design Alternatives with cost estimates and risk assessments 8. Establishing and controlling the Project schedule (Current schedule shown in Exhibit F) 11 9. Managing public engagement and Project communication (Committee descriptions are in Section VII) 10. Obtaining necessary approvals to proceed into the Design phase As an initial element of the Project planning process, TAM investigated a range of nine preliminary alternative alignments to identify tradeoffs and opportunities so that the preferred solution selected would best reflect overall transportation system benefits, regional and community goals, community and environmental values, and mitigate for unavoidable adverse effects. In December 2021, the TAM Board approved the narrowing of alternatives from nine to.four to include in the Project Initiation Document (PID). In March 2024, three alternatives were selected (two from the PSR-PDS and an additional new alternative) to advance into the Environmental phase (See Exhibit B). Upon circulation of the draft environmental document (DED), TAM and Caltrans will review the comments received from the public and the partnering agencies (including the City of San Rafael's comments on the DED) on the DED. TAM and Caltrans will select the preferred alternative based on the input received. The decision on a preferred alternative is anticipated to be in 2027. D. City of San Rafael San Rafael is an incorporated city within the Project area. It retains all existing decision authority for local land use, transportation infrastructure, and quality of life matters within its jurisdiction relative to the Project, except for Project elements within the State Highway System right-of-way. The City provided a list of concerns and Guiding Principles (see Appendix B) and designated representatives to serve on the Project Ad Hoc Committee, Executive Steering Committee, and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). One or more community representatives serve on the Community Working Group. The City will provide input on the alternatives through their participation on the TAC and Project Ad Hoc Committee, and as a member of the TAM Board of Commissioners. The City will be responsible for providing timely information related to specific local concerns, comprehensive planning concepts, alternatives prioritization, project design, non-standard design risks and benefits, environmental studies, and public communication. Representatives will identify local issues to be addressed at the earliest opportunity and seek to resolve differences among the Parties as provided for in this MOU. VII. PROJECT ENGAGEMENT This Project will require ample two-way communication between TAM and elected local government officials, public agencies' staff, and community groups, with special effort to support participation by people of color and low mobility groups. Each party to this MOU will make good faith efforts to participate in the following types of meetings to facilitate Project engagement: A. Executive Steering Committee (ESC) • Members: Executive staff from local agencies, including TAM, City of San Rafael, City of Larkspur, County of Marin, Caltrans, CCTA, and MTC/BATA • Function: Provide input on project challenges and solutions from agency perspectives and serve as a forum for developing consensus recommendations to the TAM Board and associated elected bodies regarding the project alternatives. • Meeting Frequency: as needed; non-public meetings. 5 B. Ad Hoc Committee (AHC) of the TAM Board • Members: Three to Four TAM Board members Function: Review ESC and Community Working Group (CWG) input on project alternatives, provide input and guidance on project challenges, seek consensus, and report to the entire TAM Board, typically prior to action being taken. Meeting Frequency: as needed; non-public meetings. C. Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Members: TAM staff, public works directors from the City of San Rafael, City of Larkspur, and County of Marin, Caltrans, CCTA, Marin Transit, Golden Gate Bridge Transit District, and a representative from MTC/BATH. Function: Build consensus on project alternatives; provide technical guidance to the Project team. • Meeting Frequency: Monthly; non-public meetings D. Community Working Group (CWG) TAM utilized a Stakeholder Working Group (SWG) between June 2020 and May 2021 to gather input on alternatives. At the May 2021 meeting, the SWG provided feedback on alternatives not to carry forward. A final SWG meeting was held in October 2023 to close out the planning phase of the project with the SWG. During the process, the committee and numerous community organizations expressed concern regarding how the project would address equity. TAM responded with a series of actions focused on the Spanish-speaking community's ability to actively participate in the decisions to be made. TAM has organized a Community Working Group (Exhibit H) to provide community input to the project team during the environmental phase. The committee is comprised of volunteers representing diverse interests in the project area, including business, community organizations, neighborhood groups, environmental interests, and commuters. • Function: Discuss design alternatives and analyses, identify community concerns, and provide feedback to the Project Development Team. • Meeting Frequency: As needed. Meetings are open to the public with an opportunity for public comment. VIII. PROJECT COMMUNICATION Effective communication is an important factor contributing to the success of the Project, and it is the responsibility of everyone involved in the Project. Working in collaboration with parties to this MOU, the TAM Project Manager (PM) will be responsible for managing project -related communications. • TAM will provide timely and accurate Project information to stakeholders. TAM will be responsible for managing a project website, public meetings, and engagement activities, meeting management, documentation, and archiving. Scheduled meetings of local or state government are excluded. • A Project Communications Plan will be prepared for the PAED phase. on • TAM will work with all parties covered under this MOU to develop, produce, and disseminate public messaging at key project milestones. Communication strategies will be based on stakeholder needs and prior feedback. • All project -related press inquiries other than those directed to elected officials shall be directed to TAM's PM initially, who will then engage with the appropriate respondent(s). IX. PROJECT COSTS AND FUNDING TAM shall be responsible for determining an initial range of Project costs and potential funding sources for all identified Project alternatives. As the Project proceeds through PAED, estimates shall be revised, increased in specificity, compared with available or potential funding sources, and the anticipated fiscal year for construction shall be identified. Estimates will not be used to program or commit State - programmed capital outlay funds. In 2018, voters approved Regional Measure 3 (RM3), increasing state-owned bridge tolls to fund a range of mobility improvements, including $135M for this Project. In 2018, Marin County voters approved an extension of Marin County's %2 cent sales tax measure (Measure AA) to fund a range of transportation improvements. In July 2019, the TAM Board of Commissioners approved the allocation of $16.5M to expedite Project planning activities. TAM intends to use funding from this source to prepare evaluations of any alternatives, consensus building, preliminary engineering, and environmental clearance, leading to the selection of a preferred Project alternative. X. OTHER AGREEMENTS Future cooperative agreements between certain parties designating responsibilities for design, construction, operations, maintenance, and cost -sharing will be negotiated separately and on an as - needed basis. Signatories Board President Transportation Authority of Marin Mayor City of San Rafael Date I /2,3 f z S kate Col/' 22 12 2025 Date 7