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Pilot Program Updates

Click here to read about Marin County's selection as a Nonmotorized Pilot. For more information, contact Deb Hubsmith, MCBC Advocacy Director, at (415) 454-7430, or deb@marinbike.org

$20 Million Allocated for Marin County’s Federal Pilot Program

April 19, 2007

On April 17, 2007, the Marin County Board of Supervisors made decisions on how to spend $20 million in federal funding that was allocated to Marin County as part of the federal Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program. Overall, the Marin County Bicycle Coalition is pleased with the final funding list of projects and programs.

There will now be planning or construction on every segment of the North-South Greenway (a route planned parallel to Highway 101 along the railroad right-of-way corridor). The Pilot Program will also fund planning for an East-West route from Fairfax through San Anselmo to San Rafael. There will be lots of new construction including the Tennessee Valley pathway, connections to the San Rafael Transit Center, Los Ranchitos Road bike lanes, and Alameda del Prado bike lanes. There will be investment in new bike racks, more striping of bike lanes and crosswalks, gaps filled for sidewalks, and improvements to dangerous intersections. In addition, $1 million will be invested in programs that improve education and outreach about the safety and benefits of non-motorized travel. (Click here to see the full list of projects)

Throughout the process, the MCBC fought hard to secure the full $850,000 in funding for the geo-technical Alto Tunnel study that was recommended by the Pilot Program Advisory Committee. Our action alerts helped to generate more than 140 original positive letters to the Marin County Board of Supervisors requesting that this project go forward. Nearly 50 people packed the Mill Valley City Council chambers on April 16 to ask for the Alto Tunnel funding, and more than 60 people took time out of their busy days on April 17 to attend the Board of Supervisors hearing for the final decision. The eloquent outpouring of public testimony in favor of the Alto Tunnel was inspiring and effective. Our heartfelt thanks goes out to everyone who participated. You made a difference.

In the end, the Board of Supervisors chose to allocate $250,000 to a Mill Valley – Corte Madera Bikeway Study that will assess possible improvements on the three potential routes: the Alto Tunnel, Horse Hill, and Camino Alto. The scope of work for this study has not yet been developed, but MCBC will be seeking to ensure that this study results in concrete next steps for moving the Alto Tunnel project forward. We believe that the study will show that the grades of both Camino Alto and Horse Hill are too steep for travel by all but the most physically-fit bicyclists, and that to ensure mode-shift (the purpose of the federal program) the Alto Tunnel will be the preferred alternative.

While MCBC would have liked to see the full $850,000 to allow for the geo-technical analysis of Alto Tunnel, we consider the $250,000 study a step in the right direction, and an important victory. Without the outpouring of support from the public, there would have been incredible pressure for the County to simply accept the TAM sub-committee’s initial recommendation for no-funding for the Alto Tunnel. Together we turned the tide, and in the process, built new bridges with groups and individuals that represent parents, emergency services, people with disabilities and seniors. In addition, we showed that people throughout the County are in favor of this project, including people who live far away, and people who live in the tunnel neighborhoods. We firmly established Alto Tunnel as a priority need through this Pilot Program public process.

In conclusion, Marin County’s Pilot Program is off to a strong start. There is wide public interest and participation, and the initial set of projects provides a solid framework from which to expand. The MCBC looks forward to working with the County of Marin and partner agencies on the implementation of the projects and programs that were selected. We will be actively involved in all planning studies, and will be providing input for project design plans. We are also continuing to work with Marin County and our state and federal elected officials to secure additional funds so that we may ultimately complete Marin’s bicycle and pedestrian network. Through construction of the network and promotion of its use, we will shift auto trips to bicycle and pedestrian trips, proving that nonmotorized transportation is cost effective and results in health benefits. Through our work on the Marin pilot program, we will provide a successful case study that will help to change funding allocations and policies nationwide.

Click on the following links for the full report and to see the final list of funded projects.

Allocation of funding for specific bicycle and pedestrian projects throughout Marin

Spring 2007 Update

On April 17, 2007 the Marin County Board of Supervisors will allocate the full $25 million in funding from the federal Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program to specific bicycle and pedestrian projects throughout Marin County.

Marin is one of four locations throughout the USA selected in 2005 to participate in this important research program. It’s designed to show how investment in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure can get people out of their cars and onto their feet and bikes.

Since the fall of 2006, a Pilot Program Advisory Committee, consisting of 17 members of the public, participated in a process to advise the Marin County Department of Public Works (DPW) on the selection of local projects. By culling through adopted Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plans and soliciting input from local agencies and the public, the DPW developed a list of $220 million in identified projects that are needed to fully complete Marin’s bicycle and pedestrian network.

On March 12, 2007, $20 million in projects recommended by the Advisory Committee for funding were unveiled at a public meeting in San Rafael. The “missing” $5 million supports local and national evaluation efforts, communications, project staff and federal obligation limits.

Several of the recommended projects are top-priority projects for the Marin County Bicycle Coalition including: planning for the Alto Tunnel, the Central Marin Ferry Connection Project, the Cal Park Hill Tunnel, the Lincoln Hill pathway, and bike lanes on Los Ranchitos Road. Prior to the Board of Supervisors’ final approval of the list, Marin County’s Director of Public Works, Farhad Mansourian, will make staff recommendations.

MCBC hopes that mode-shift statistics resulting from this Pilot Program will be instrumental in changing national transportation policies and significantly increasing investments in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and programs. For more information and updates on the project, see www.walkbikemarin.org and www.marinbike.org or contact Deb Hubsmith, MCBC Advocacy Director, at deb@marinbike.org or 415-454-7430.

Community Presentation on Monday, March 12, 7-9 PM

Marin County Dept of Public Works Press Release
February 2007

The Marin County Department of Public Works is hosting a community presentation on the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program to be held Monday, March 12 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street. Over the past several months the Department has been working with an Advisory Committee to prioritize suggested projects along the eastern urbanized corridor of Marin and education and outreach programs. The presentation is an opportunity for the community to learn about the Program, and comment on the draft list of priorities developed by the Advisory Committee. The Department of Public Works will consider the input from the Advisory Committee and the public and make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors in April. The Board will make the final selection on projects and programs to be funded.

The Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program is a federal transportation program which provides $25 million each to Marin County and three other communities in the Midwest to evaluate whether construction of bicycle and pedestrian facilities, along with educational and outreach programs, can encourage bicycling and walking as a means to reduce automobile trips.

Information about the program is available at the Pilot website: http://www.walkbikemarin.org

Contact: Craig Tackabery, 499-6582, ctackabery@co.marin.ca.us

Tentative Schedule and Website Launch

From MCBC's Winter 2007 Pedal Press
December, 2006

It’s an exciting time for the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program. The Advisory Committee is in the process of evaluating the more than 230 suggested projects and programs to recommend for funding with the $25 million that the County is receiving as a result Marin’s designation as one of four demonstration communities.

The legislative purpose for the program, section 1807 of the federal transportation bill, is “to demonstrate the extent to which bicycling and walking can carry a significant part of the transportation load, and represent a major portion of the transportation solution, within selected communities.” A tentative schedule for Marin’s Pilot Program which was established by County DPW is as follows:

  • December 2006: Surveys will be completed by the University of Minnesota to establish baseline commute mode shares for walking, bicycling, public transit and auto use.
  • January 2007: Project and program ranking and prioritization; identification of supplemental funding sources; development of preliminary cost estimates; discussion with local jurisdictions on project feasibility.
  • February 2007: Presentation of recommended project and programs at community workshops.
  • March 2007: Board of Supervisors selects projects and programs through consideration of the Advisory Committee and Public Works Director’s recommendation.
  • April 2007: Design and environmental review for selected capital projects begins; program development initiated.
  • Summer 2007-Summer 2008: Selected programs initiated; design, environmental review, and regulatory permitting for selected capital projects.
  • Summer 2008-Fall 2009: Construction of capital projects.
  • Fall 2010: Surveys will be completed by the University of Minnesota to establish commute mode shares for walking, bicycling, public transit and auto use, and to see how the numbers changed over four years due to the federal funding investment.

The County has also launched a website for the Pilot Program. Check it frequently, and subscribe to receive information about upcoming meetings at www.walkbikemarin.org. The MCBC also has a Pilot Program section on our website a www.marinbike.org.

Pilot Program Workshop, Wednesday 11/29 at 6 PM

County seeks project and program ideas for $25 million,

November 17, 2006

You’ve heard about the $25 million windfall for Marin’s Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program. Now is the time to bring forth your project and program ideas! The County of Marin will hold an informational community workshop from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 29 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in San Rafael. There will be a presentation on the Pilot Program and breakout group discussions for public input on project and program ideas. This is an opportunity to find out about the Pilot Program, see what projects and programs have already been identified, and provide your suggestions for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects and educational programs. Project and program ideas within the eastern urbanized corridor of the county (including cities and towns) are eligible for consideration.

To sign up to receive regular updates from the County on the Pilot Program process see: http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/pw/main/NTPP.cfm

Pilot Program Update: Surveys and Advisory Committee Get Rolling

October 10, 2006

Marin’s $25 million Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program has kicked into high gear.

During October 2006, 6,000 people in Marin are receiving a postcard survey asking questions about travel behavior. Later this month, 400 people who respond to the survey will be selected for longer telephone interviews. The surveys are being conducted in Marin County and the three other pilot program locations (Minneapolis, MN; Columbia, MO; and Sheboyban County, WI), by the University of Minnesota, which was hired by the Pilot Program working group to manage this important evaluation effort. The same survey questions will be asked again in the fall of 2010, providing “bookend” data to show how investment in bicycling and walking facilities, education and promotion resulted in changes related to travel modes, attitudes, health, environmental effects, and more.

Last week, the Marin County Department of Public Works (DPW) announced the 19 people who were selected to serve on the County’s Pilot Program Advisory Committee. For a list of those selected, click here. Within six months, this group will make recommendations regarding investments for the funding that will lead to getting more people walking and bicycling. The recommendations will be made to Farhad Mansourian, the Marin County Public Works Director, who will then present his recommendations at a public Board of Supervisors meeting. By March of 2007, the pilot program projects should be selected and the County will be gearing up for implementation.

Today, the Marin County Board of Supervisors approved a contract to hire Alta Planning + Design and a team of other consultants to help manage the Advisory Committee, public outreach, planning and other tasks associated with the Pilot Program process. Check the County’s website for additional details: http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/pw/main/NTPP.cfm.

  • Click here to read the DPW's October 10 report to the Supervisors

Proposals sought for a national evaluation process and for Marin County consultants

June 29, 2006

On June 19, the County of Marin released a request for proposals (RFP) for a consultant team to assist the county in managing the Pilot Program process. The contract is expected to be awarded by August, and in the fall, the planning process for the Marin Pilot Program will kick into high gear. Public Works Director Farhad Mansourian will be appointing an Advisory Committee to make recommendations for specific projects that will be implemented with the federal funds. Maps will be created to show existing, planned and future projects, revealing key gaps in the non-motorized system. The consultant team will also develop a Pilot Program website, conduct a Kick-Off meeting, do stakeholder meetings, and manage outreach to the general public as well as coordination with other agencies. Click here to read the RFP.

Also in June of 2006, the four pilot communities (Marin County, CA; Minneapolis, MN; Columbia, MO; and Sheboyban County, WI) released a RFP for State Universities within the pilot sites to submit plans to conduct evaluation studies related to mode shift and attitudes for walking and bicycling. The contract for the evaluation process should be awarded in July, and initial baseline counts for pedestrian and bicycle activity in the four communities are scheduled to take place in September of 2006. This data will be compared with final counts that will be conducted in the same manner in September 2010, providing important information to Congress on the results of the Pilot Program investment.


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