***ਰੈਜ਼ੋਲਿউਸ਼ਨ - ਕੈਲੀਫੋਰਨੀਆ ਟ੍ਰਾਂਸਪੋਰਟੇਸ਼ਨ ਡਿਪਾਰਟਮੈਂਟ ਹਾਈਵੇ ਸੇਫਟੀ ਇਮਪ੍ਰੂਵਮੈਂਟ ਪ੍ਰੋਗ੍ਰਾਮ ਸਾਈਕਲ 13 ਕਾਲ ਫਾਰ ਪ੍ਰੋਜੈਕਟਸ ਨੂੰ ਅਪਲਾਈ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਅਧਿਕਾਰਤਾ ਦੇਣ ਲਈ $10,360,000 ਤੱਕ ਫੰਡਿੰਗ ਲਈ ਰਿਕਵੈਸਟ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ; ਅਤੇ ਪਬਲਿਕ ਵਰਕਸ ਡਾਇਰੈਕਟਰ ਜਾਂ ਡਿਜ਼ਾਇਨੀ ਦੁਆਰਾ ਗ੍ਰਾਂਟ ਐਪਲੀਕੇਸ਼ਨ ਦੀ ਐਕਜ਼ਿਕਿਊਸ਼ਨ ਅਤੇ ਗ੍ਰਾਂਟ ਫੰਡਸ ਦੀ ਐਕਸੈਪਟੈਂਸ ਅਤੇ ਗ੍ਰਾਂਟ ਅਗਰੀਮੈਂਟ ਡਾਕੂਮੈਂਟਸ ਦੀ ਐਕਜ਼ਿਕਿਊਸ਼ਨ ਦੀ ਅਧਿਕਾਰਤਾ ਦੇਣ ਲਈ (ਮੇਅਰ ਦੀ ਵੀਟੋ ਦੇ ਅਧੀਨ)

REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director Public Works Department BY: JILL M. GORMLEY, TE, Assistant Director Public Works Department, Traffic & Engineering Services Division CHERYL L. BURNS, Grants Development Manager Public Works Department, Traffic & Engineering Services Division SUBJECT ..Title ***RESOLUTION – Authorizing the Submission of Grant Applications to the California Department of Transportation Highway Safety Improvement Program Cycle 13 Call for Projects totaling up to $10,360,000 in Requests for Funding; and Authorizing the Execution of Grant Applications and Acceptance of Grant Funds and Execution of Grant Agreement Documents by the Public Works Director or Designee (Subject to Mayor’s Veto) ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of grant applications to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 13 Call for Projects totaling up to $10,360,000 in requests for funding and authorize the execution of all grant applications and acceptance of grant funds and the execution of grant agreement documents by the Public Works Director or Designee. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The HSIP Cycle 13 Call for Projects was released July 1, 2026. The purpose of the HSIP program is to achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. Applications are broken into two categories: Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) and Funding Set-Asides (SA). There are five different SA types: Guardrail Updates, Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements, Lane Departure Prevention, Bike Safety Improvements, and Tribes. There is no limit to the number of applications an agency may submit under the BCR category, however the maximum funds that one agency may be awarded under this category is $10 million. Applicants can submit one application per set-aside category. Staff is requesting authorization to submit 3 grant applications requesting up to $10 million in funding to the BCR category and one application requesting up to $360,000 for the Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements Set-Aside. The proposed projects were identified using the City of Fresno’s Systemic Safety Analysis Report (SSAR) and Vision Zero Action Plan (VZAP) and were further pinpointed through a review of citywide collision and fatality data to confirm that each location meets HSIP program requirements and achieves the necessary cost–benefit ratio. A list of proposed projects is attached. BACKGROUND On July 1, 2026, Caltrans released the Cycle 13 Call for Projects for HSIP. The HSIP call for projects typically occurs every two years. Authorizing legislation for HSIP comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which was signed into law on November 15, 2021. Under the IIJA, the HSIP program, codified as Section 148 of Title 23, United States Code (23 U.S.C §148), is a core federal-aid program to States for the purpose of achieving a significant reduction in fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. California's Local HSIP focuses on infrastructure projects with nationally recognized crash reduction factors (CRFs). Projects submitted to the HSIP program must be identified on the basis of crash experience, crash potential, crash rate, or other data-supported means. A total of approximately $370 million in funds are available this cycle. The State is allowed to exchange State funds with Federal funds. It is expected that State funds will be used for all projects selected in Cycle 13. HSIP guidelines prioritize funding for projects which improve roadway safety using the most cost-effective methods feasible, with minimal need for right of way acquisition. The selection of HSIP projects is a data driven process based on collision history. Applicants are directed to review roadway network collision data, pairing appropriate Local Roadway Safety Manual (LRSM) countermeasures to areas with high rates of severe collisions or fatalities. A safety countermeasure is an improvement to a roadway that has a demonstrated effectiveness in reducing specific collision types. For example, according to the LRSM, adding pedestrian countdown equipment to a signalized intersection that has a history of pedestrian involved collisions may reduce the likelihood of future (non-DUI) collisions by 25%. There is a total of $306 million in funding for the BCR category. A project’s eligibility under the BCR category is based on the following variables: recent collision type(s), severity of collisions, project costs, proposed countermeasure(s), crash reduction factors, and the expected “life” of the countermeasures selected. A BCR calculation based on these variables is performed using a formula provided in the grant application package to determine final eligibility for HSIP funding. In Cycle 13, a BCR score of 5.0 or greater is required to apply for funding. This is a minimum threshold, and projects with a higher BCR are more likely to be funded. There is no limit on the number of applications an agency can submit to the BCR category; however, an agency may not exceed $10 million in total BCR requests. There is a total of $64 million in funding for the five SA types: Guardrail Updates, Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements, Lane Departure Prevention, Bike Safety Improvements, and Tribes. Projects sought under the SA category do not require BCR calculations or collision review but are limited to no more than one application per agency and SA type. The maximum amount of funding is also limited to $1.1 million for Guardrail Upgrades and $360,000 for all other SA types. The grant applications are due on Monday, November 2, 2026. Notification of grant awards are expected by July 1, 2027. A summary of projects for submittal, organized by application type, is included as an attachment. The City Attorney’s office has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS This action is not subject to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 (CEQA) at this time. This action involves an application for funding, and it is uncertain if funding will be awarded. If sufficient funds are awarded to complete a future project, the appropriate CEQA analysis will be prepared and brought to Council for approval along with formal project approval. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference is not included because this resolution does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract. FISCAL IMPACT This resolution will have no immediate impact on the General Fund. Generally, the maximum federal reimbursement ratio for an HSIP project is 90%. Should grant funds be awarded, local matching funds will be identified through future fiscal year capital budgets. Attachments: Resolution Proposed Project Summary List Project Vicinity Map