MONTEREY COUNTY – In keeping with their promise to leverage local Measure X transportation funds, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) has applied for $14 million from the SB 1 vehicle fee-funded Active Transportation Program for pedestrian and bicycle safety projects that will benefit the Salinas Valley, Monterey Peninsula and North Monterey County.
Debbie Hale, Executive Director of TAMC, said that, “Local Measure X funds will give them a greater chance to build these important safety projects, because applications with local matching funds earn additional points in the scoring criteria.”
In partnership with the cities of Del Rey Oaks and Seaside, TAMC applied for $12.6 million to fund the Highway 218 segment of the Fort Ord Regional Trail & Greenway matched by $2 million of Measure X funds, to construct a 1.5-mile paved bicycle and pedestrian trail segment of the proposed 32-mile Fort Ord Regional Trail & Greenway. The regional trail will improve safety, promote healthier lifestyles and the project provides a safe alternative to Highway 218, between Del Rey Woods Elementary School and Laguna Grande Regional Park.
The second application, in partnership with the Monterey County Health Department, provides $82,000 in local matching funds and requests an additional $2.2 million to establish safe routes to school community education and support in 10 disadvantaged communities in the Salinas Valley, the Monterey Peninsula and unincorporated North Monterey County.
In addition to applying for their own active transportation funds, the Transportation Agency assisted King City with their “San Antonio Drive Bikeway & School Gap Closure” project application. The city leveraged $100,000 from their general fund to apply for $6.4 million to construct a 1-mile paved bicycle and pedestrian trail, and close sidewalk & ADA curb ramp gaps to connect students and seniors to schools, parks, housing and healthcare in the city.
King City Mayor, Mike LeBarre, commented that “TAMC’s willingness to assist them with drafting the application is an example of their continued leadership on transportation projects to benefit every corner of our community. It demonstrates their diligent commitment to secure funding for both infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects to enhance safety and quality of life in Monterey County.”
In total, TAMC and King City are seeking more than $21 million in funding from the Active Transportation Program. “We are hopeful that the confidence that voters placed in them with the approval of Measure X will be rewarded with a notification that their applications have been selected for funding,” said Ms. Hale. Awards will be announced in December.
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