SCAG Staff Release ATP Bike/Ped Project Funding Recommendations

The first year of the state's new Active Transportation Funding (ATP) program is drawing to a close. ATP is the main source of funding for walking and bicycling projects and programs in L.A. County.

In the past, L.A. County bike and ped projects were primarily funded by Metro's Call for Projects. Changes at the federal level reduced this funding, and gave control over it mostly to the state, but also partially to regional Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs). For the 6-county Los Angeles metropolitan region, the MPO is the Southern California Association of Governments, known as "SCAG."

Projects vying for the statewide competitive ATP grants were announced and approved in August. Those that did not succeed at the state level would have one last chance at the regional level.

This week SCAG staff released its recommendations. The final set of projects is expected to be approved by the agency's Transportation Committee when it meets this Thursday. View the agenda [PDF].

There are no big surprises in the recommendations. SCAG appears to have adhered the state ranking, so the next few projects in line are recommended to receive funding. See the full SCAG list [PDF], some highlighted L.A. County projects appear after the jump. 

Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects and Programs:

• City of Covina: Bicycle network
• City of Huntington Park: State Street Complete Street
• City of Los Angeles: San Fernando Road Bike Path, phase 3
• City of Los Angeles: Los Angeles River Bike Path from Owensmouth Avenue to Mason Avenue in Canoga Park. This area, just upstream from the recently opened West Valley L.A. River bike path is already open as an L.A. County linear park designed for walking.
• City of Los Angeles: Bicycle and pedestrian components of the Sixth Street Bridge replacement project extending from Boyle Heights to downtown Los Angeles
• City of Los Angeles: Pedestrian improvements along the Metro Expo Line, from Crenshaw to Culver City city limits
• City of Santa Monica: 4th Street bicycle/pedestrian upgrades

Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning:

• City of Lancaster: Safe Routes to School Master Plan. Lancaster has been doing some innovative SRTS work, SBLA is looking to highlight their work at some point soon.
• City of Vernon: Bicycle Master Plan. Vernon, a nearly exclusively industrial city immediately south of Boyle Heights and southeast of downtown Los Angeles, had not embraced cycling, despite seeing plenty of transportation bicycling, especially among working-class commuter cyclists. Hopefully, their bike plan will include a bike path along their short stretch of the Los Angeles River.
• Metro: First-Last Mile plan for the Metro Blue Line
• San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments: SGV Regional Active Transportation Plan

See the SCAG list [PDF] for full details of ATP funding for six-county Los Angeles region. It is possible that the list may change during the approval process.

Quite a few of the projects that Metro withdrew Call for Projects funding from have received replacement ATP funding. Many remaining worthwhile projects, including the city of San Fernando's Pacoima Wash bikeway/greeenway, find themselves in limbo. It is unclear whether Metro will fulfill outstanding de-funded obligations or will continue to mandate that cities seek funding elsewhere.