For City Council Meeting October 28, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Tanya Williams, City Manager
FROM: Tim Sullivan, Assistant City Manager
Title
Request City Council to: (1) Accept the Highway Safety Improvement Program Cycle 12 Grant from the California Department of Transportation for the School Crossing & Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project; (2) Accept the Highway Safety Improvement Program Cycle 12 Grant from the California Department of Transportation for the Citywide Traffic Signal Upgrade Improvements Project; and (3) Authorize the City Manager or Their Designee to Execute all Related Documents.
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Accept the Highway Safety Improvement Program Cycle 12 Grant from the California Department of Transportation in the amount of $268,740;
2) Accept the Highway Safety Improvement Program Cycle 12 Grant from the California Department of Transportation in the amount of $4,876,200; and
3) Authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute all related documents.
BACKGROUND
On May 6, 2024, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced Cycle 12 of the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Call for projects.
As part of the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant accepted by City Council on May 9, 2023, the City developed a draft Safety Action Plan that uses data-driven analysis to identify high-priority locations where targeted safety improvements will have the greatest impact on reducing traffic crashes and improving pedestrian and vehicle safety. Based on these findings, staff identified critical locations for proposed countermeasure improvements to submit a competitive application under the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 12. The identified priority locations include the following:
1. Alder Avenue and Riverside Avenue
2. Sycamore Avenue and Baseline Road
3. Riverside Avenue and Foothill Boulevard
4. Acadia Avenue and Rialto Avenue
5. Cedar Avenue and Merrill Avenue
6. Merrill Avenue from Linden Avenue to Cedar Avenue
7. Linden Avenue and Merrill Avenue
8. Sycamore Avenue and San Bernardino Avenue
9. Riverside Avenue between San Bernardino Avenue and Valley Boulevard
10. Riverside Avenue from Industrial Drive to Jurupa Avenue
11. Riverside Avenue from Agua Mansa Road to Miguel Bustamente Parkway
These locations were evaluated based on eligibility criteria such as benefit/cost ratio calculations. The strategy was to combine critical locations that are likely to score higher, considering factors such as past accident histories, assessments of fatalities, overall facility geometrics, and the effectiveness of proposed countermeasures to increase the competitiveness of the applications. This resulted in a Citywide improvement project through the submission of two project applications addressing different locations.
On August 27, 2024, the City Council authorized the submission of Cycle 12 HSIP applications for school crossing improvements and Citywide pedestrian upgrades.
On September 9, 2024, staff submitted two HSIP Cycle 12 grant applications. One of the applications was for the installation of new rectangular red flashing beacons (RRFB) and pedestrian equipment upgrades at two school crossings and various locations. The second application was for traffic signal and pedestrian upgrades at various locations Citywide.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
On May 4, 2025, Caltrans officially notified staff that both grant applications were selected for funding under HSIP Cycle 12. A copy of the letter is included as Attachment 1. Following the award notification that both projects were selected for funding, staff have been working with Caltrans to initiate the projects and establish funding allocations under the programmed Fiscal Year 2025/2026.
School Crossing & Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project
The school crossing improvements and pedestrian upgrades will improve pedestrian safety. The proposed improvements include the installation of new RRFBs at two school crossings, installation of pedestrian signal heads with countdown modules, and installation of microswitch pedestrian bulldog push buttons at various locations throughout the City. These enhancements are designed to enhance safety for both motorized and non-motorized road users and are identified in Attachment 2.
The estimated cost for the School Crossing & Pedestrian Safety Improvements project is $298,600. The HSIP Cycle 12 grant award is $268,740, with the City match from Local Measure I in the amount of $29,860 (10%).
Citywide Traffic Signal Upgrades
The second project will upgrade traffic safety infrastructure Citywide by installing new LED signal heads with high-visibility yellow backing plates and upgraded controllers at all signalized intersections, replacing aging equipment to meet current federal safety standards and provide brighter, clearer visibility in all weather conditions. At intersections where bicycle and pedestrian collisions have occurred, staff will program Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs) that give pedestrians a 3-7 second head start before vehicles receive a green light, making vulnerable road users more visible to turning drivers and clearly establishing their right-of-way. Together, these upgrades will reduce collision risk through improved visibility, enhanced pedestrian protection, and modern technology that supports adaptive timing and emergency vehicle response. They will cover multiple intersections on seven corridors, as well as additional locations, totaling 108 signalized intersections. Notably, 36 of these locations will have enhancements specifically focused on pedestrian safety. Many of these locations are near schools in the Rialto Unified School District, as well as popular shopping centers and recreational facilities within the City. A map of these locations is included as Attachment 3.
The estimated cost for the Citywide Traffic Signal Upgrades project is $5,418,000. The HSIP Cycle 12 grant award is $4,876,200, with the City match from Local Measure I in the amount of $271,800 (5.3%).
The HSIP Program is a reimbursement program. Reimbursable work cannot commence until the City receives an allocation of funds for the project. Staff will work with the Caltrans Division of Local Assistance to initiate the project and allocate the funds before the City can proceed with the preliminary engineering and construction phases.
The proper procurement procedures will be followed through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process to ensure compliance with City procurement policies and Chapter 10 (Consultant Selection) of the Local Assistance Procedures Manual.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
This action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3 in the General Plan:
Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.
The City of Rialto has also outlined key Goals and Objectives through which the City looks to minimize congestion on the local road network, create opportunities and incentives for people to avoid use of their cars for short trips, and maintain a circulation system that supports local businesses’ needs. These efforts will contribute to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to State mandates.
Goal 4-1: Provide transportation improvements to reduce traffic congestion associated with regional and local trip increases.
Policy 4-1.1: Establish and maintain standards for a variety of street classifications to serve both local and regional traffic, including Major Arterial Highways, Major Arterials, Secondary Arterials, Collector Streets, and Local Streets.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
The proposed action has no impact on the Operating Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
The total estimated project cost for the School Crossing & Pedestrian Safety Improvements project is $298,600. Caltrans has awarded the City of Rialto $268,740 in grant funding. The City will utilize Measure I funds as the required local match for this grant-funded project. The following revenues and appropriations associated with this grant-funded project have been budgeted into the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Capital Improvement budget as follows:
Additionally, the total estimated project cost for the Citywide Traffic Signal Improvements project is $5,418,000. Caltrans has awarded the City of Rialto $4,876,200 in grant funding. The City will utilize Measure I funds as the required local match for this grant-funded project. The following revenues and appropriations associated with this grant-funded project have been budgeted into the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Capital Improvement budget as follows:
Licensing
Approval of this action does not require a Business License application and payment of a Business License tax.