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Authorize the Director of Resource Management to submit a Letter of Support for the designation of U.S. Bike Route 50 within Solano County
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Resource Management recommends that the Board of Supervisors authorize the Director of Resource Management to submit a Letter of Support for the designation of U.S. Bike Route 50 within Solano County.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
In 2008, the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) established a national corridor plan for bike routes to facilitate travel between states along routes deemed suitable for long distance cycling. Adventure Cycling Association has partnered with AASHTO to assist with identifying routes across the United States and provide coordination with local jurisdictions such as Solano County.
In May 2017, Adventure Cycling Association approached the Solano Transportation Authority’s Bicycle Advisory Committee with a request to designate U.S. Bike Route 50 across Solano County. The Committee, as well as representatives from each local jurisdiction, provided comments for consideration, and the original route proposed was revised based on these comments. On January 17, 2019, the Solano Transportation Authority Board approved supporting the USBR-50 route designation, finding that it is consistent with STA’s, the County’s, and the Cities’ bike networks. The updated route provides a connection from Davis to the Vallejo Ferry terminal using routes previously identified as bike routes in the Solano County Bike Plan. This route connects key destinations such as U.C. Davis, Lagoon Valley, Suisun Valley, Lynch Canyon and the Vallejo Ferry Terminal. As additional California counties designate U.S. Bike Route 50, the bike route will extend from San Francisco to Nevada. Ultimately, U.S. Bike Route 50 will cross the United States from San Francisco to Washington D.C.
The City Councils for each connecting city within Solano County have since designated the U.S. Bike Route 50 route through their jurisdictions. With the city segments now designated, Solano County is ready to designate the route on connecting unincorporated roads. Adventure Cycling Association is seeking a Letter of Support from Solano County for designation of U.S. Bike Route 50 within the County. This designation requires some future costs for updating bike route signs; however, roads along the route will have enhanced funding opportunities for bike route improvements. Once approved by the California Transportation Commission and AASHTO, the route will be added to the U.S. Bicycle Route System map.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The cost for U.S Bike Route 50 signage is estimated to be $5,000 to $10,000, though the signage and wayfinding placement is at the agency’s option and discretion. If the route is formally designated, the sign costs would be paid by the Road Fund as well as some regional grant funding for new bike signage. Department of Resource Management staff will seek grant opportunities to offset the signage cost, as they become available. There is no impact to the General Fund.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose to not submit a Letter of Support designating U.S. Bike Route 50 within Solano County. This is not recommended, since the connecting cities have designated the route through their jurisdictions and designation on the unincorporated roads is necessary to provide a continuous route through the County.
ANOTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed and approved this item as to form.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION