El proyecto del Monument Boulevard

Concord City News
Verano 2011

El proyecto del Monument Boulevard mejora el acceso peatonal y agrega carriles para bicicletas

Un proyecto de varios años para mejorar el acceso peatonal en la zona del Monument Boulevard de la ciudad está completo. Las mejoras en la Infraestructura Peatonal del Monument Corridor permitirán un acceso más fácil al BART, centros comerciales y zonas residenciales a lo largo de Monument Boulevard desde Carey Drive hasta Meadow Lane/Oak Grove Road, y en Meadow Lane desde el Monument Boulevard hasta Sunshine Drive.

El proyecto incluye la construcción de mejoras ADA (Acta de Americanos con Discapacidades), tales como rampas y señales auditivas de conteo para peatones, ampliación de las aceras existentes, construcción de cruces de peatones de hormigón de color en varias intersecciones así como la instalación de luces en las vías ya nivel de los peatones en porciones del Monument Boulevard. Asimismo, se han instalado carriles para las bicicletas en Meadow Lane, y un nuevo semáforo que se ha ubicado en la intersección de Robin Lane y Meadow Lane.

El proyecto fue financiado con una subvención de $1.2 millones de dólares del Programa de Transporte Terrestre, otra subvención de $300,000 dólares del Acta de Recuperación y Reinversión y los fondos de la Agencia de Redesarrollo.

Las mejoras se hicieron en respuesta a las principales preocupaciones relacionadas con la infraestructura planteada antes y durante el proceso de promoción del Plan de Transporte de la Comunidad del Monument Corridor, que se llevó a cabo en el 2005. La mayoría de las actividades de promoción se llevaron a cabo por el Monument Community Partnership (MCP), una colaboración sin fines de lucro compuesta de residentes y organizaciones de servicio social cuya misión es mejorar la salud y la seguridad de los residentes de Monument.

El promedio de participación de la comunidad fue elevado durante el proceso de promoción, el cual incluyó reuniones con los miembros comunitarios, dos reunions de la comunidad, encuestas y entrevistas con miembros comunitarios. La agencia de transporte local (County Connection) y otros miembros claves en la comunidad, tales como organizaciones de servicio social y la Coalición de Transporte y Uso del Terreno participaron en el proceso. MCP ha participado activamente en la identificación de las barreras del transporte en el curso de muchas reuniones de vecinos.

A través del proceso, la comunidad expresó la necesidad de aceras o banquetas más amplias y seguras, vías para bicicletas, y mejoras en la seguridad del Monument Boulevard y Meadow Lane/Oak Grove Road. El Monument Corridor tiene un número elevado de peatones, ciclistas, y madres con sus carriolas o coches para bebés que usan las aceras para sus paseos. El número de viviendas en el Monument Corridor sin acceso a un vehículo es del 18 por ciento, lo que es tres veces el promedio en todo el condado.

Aunque las principales líneas de autobuses sirven a Monument Boulevard y Meadow Lane, la asequibilidad, la frecuencia del servicio y la falta de transferencias convenientes se encuentran entre los principales obstáculos que impiden a muchos residentes del Monument Corridor el utilizar el servicio. Para los que no tienen vehículos, las principales alternativas al uso del autobús son el caminar y andar en bicicleta, que ahora se puede hacer de forma más segura gracias a la reaJización de este proyecto.

La intersección de Meadow Lane y Robin Lane tiene ahora un nuevo semdforo, así una banqueta adecuada para ayudar a los residentes con discapacidad, un carril para bicicletas y aceras más anchas

Monument Boulevard Project

Concord City News
Summer 2011

Monument Boulevard project improves pedestrian access, adds bike lanes

A multi-year project to improve pedestrian access in the city's Monument Boulevard area is substantially complete. The Monument Corridor Pedestrian Infrastructure Improvements will allow easier access to BART, commercial centers and residential areas along Monument Boulevard from Carey Drive to Meadow Lane/Oak Grove Road, and on Meadow Lane from Monument Boulevard to Sunshine Drive.

The project includes constructing ADA improvements, such as curb ramps and pedestrian count-down signal heads, widening existing sidewalks, constructing colored concrete crosswalks at various intersections and installing roadway and pedestrian-level lights on portions of Monument Boulevard. In addition, bike lanes have been installed on Meadow Lane, and a traffic signal now stands at the intersection of Robin Lane and Meadow Lane.

The project was funded with a $1.2 million Surface Transportation Program grant, a $300,000 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant, and Redevelopment Agency funds.

The improvements were made in response to top infrastructure-related concerns raised before and during the Monument Corridor's Community Based Transportation Plan outreach process, which was conducted in 2005. Most outreach activities were conducted by the Monument Community Partnership (MCP), a non-profit collaboration of residents and social service organizations whose mission is to improve the health and safety of Monument residents.

Community participation rates were high during the outreach process, which included stakeholder meetings, two community meetings, surveys, and stakeholder interviews. The local transit agency (County Connection) and other stakeholders, such as social service organizations and the Transportation and Land Use Coalition, participated in the process. MCP was actively involved in identifying transportation barriers in the course of many neighborhood meetings.

Through the process, the community expressed a need for wider and safer sidewalks, bike routes, and safety improvements at Monument Boulevard and Meadow Lane/Oak Grove Road. The Monument Corridor has a high number of pedestrians, bicycle riders, and baby strollers using the sidewalk for travel. The number of households in the Monument Corridor without access to a vehicle is 18 percent, which is three times the county-wide average.

Although major bus lines serve Monument Boulevard and Meadow Lane, affordability, frequency of service, and lack of convenient transfers are among the major obstacles that prevent many Monument Corridor residents from using the service. For those without vehicles, the main alternatives to using the bus are walking and bicycling, which can now be done more safely thanks to the completion of this project.

The intersection of Meadow Lane and Robin Lane now has a new traffic light, as well as curb cuts to assist disabled residents, a bike lane and wider sidewalks

Help Shape the Future - Plan Bay Area

Come be heard and voice your opinion about Plan Bay Area - the region's sustainable communities strategy and plan for transportation and future regional development. Plan Bay Area focuses on improving the quality of life for Bay Area residents by providing cleaner air, improved public health, and better mobility.

Event sponsored by MCP in partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Association of Bay Area Governments.
 

Where: Cambridge Elementary Multi-Purpose Room

1135 Lacey Lane, Concord 94520
 

When: Wednesday May 18th, 6:00-8:30 pm

Child care, translation, and refreshments provided
 

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The big push to gather public input on Plan Bay Area includes an online tool called YouChoose Bay Area.

April Dates to Save

Monument Community Partnership

Transportation Action Team

Save the Dates

Contra Costa Transportation Authority Public Hearings on Deciding which Major Transportation Projects are most important for Contra Costa

Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 6 p.m.
CCTA Offices 2999 Oak Street, Suite 100, Walnut Creek

or

Thursday April 21, 2011, 9 a.m. City of Pleasant Hill
Community Room, 100 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill

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Monument Community Partnership Transportation Action Team Meeting

Rescheduled! Thursday, April 28, 2011, 7 p.m. Keller House
1760 Clayton Rd., Concord

Discussion of CCTA Public Hearings and Planning for the Metropolitan Transportation Forum MCP is sponsoring on May 18

February 17 Agenda

Reminder

Monument Community Partnership

Transportation Action

Team Meeting

Thursday February 17, 2011

7 p.m.

Keller House

1760 Clayton Rd.

Concord

Agenda

Plans for a Bike Repair Program

By G.G.I Students

Eric, Giavanni, and Octavio

and

A Report and Proposal on

Transportation Elements in Monument Redesign Project

By Eric Anaya, City Planner

Updates on: Monument Bikeway Network, SCUFI Project, Iron Horse Corridor Committee Meeting, Proposed Monument Walkability Study and Action Team Goals for 2011

Bikeway Improvements on San Miguel Road

The City Council will consider approving Project No. 2194, FY 2011-12 Citywide Bikeway Improvements at the January 25 Council Meeting.

Come to the Transportation Action Team Meeting Thursday, January 20, 2011, 7 p.m. at the Keller House, 1760 Clayton Rd.

Our guest speaker will be Ray Kuzbari, Concord Transportation Mgr., who will report on the plans for new Monument Bike Trail Extensions and the status of Monument Blvd. Improvements.

Novemebr 18 Meeting

Monument Community Partnership

TRANSPORTATION ACTION TEAM

Meeting Minutes

Date: November 18, 2010
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: Keller House, 1760 Clayton Road, Concord, CA 94520
Facilitator: Mary Lou Laubscher

WELCOME: ROLL CALL: Eric Anaya, Stan Hansen, Dave Pitman, Mary Lou Laubscher, Wes Laubscher, Luz Palomera - Sierra, Catalina Wright,

Announcements
* Our Park Trail Grant from State Park Funding was not approved, however the trail in a reduced form will still be built. Jeff Rogers, City engineer will resubmit the park grant proposal and to different funders.
* Keller House will be closed for holidays December 24th through January 4th, 2011.
* MCP Posada Celebration - December 18, 6:30 p.m., Frisbie Ct. Concord.
* Great safety improvements being completed on both Monument Blvd. and Clayton Rd.
* Kingdom Riders Motorcycle Group are interested in volunteering with MCP.
* Concord Police Department Traffic Bureau has been recognized for its traffic safety program by the California Office of Traffic Safety. It is one of 10 in the State so honored.
* The Iron Horse Corridor Commission Hearing on MCP "Buldge Garden" Project will be held February 2, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. at the Community Room at Brookview Park, 2100 Monument Blvd.
* The Housing Element Report of Concord's General Plan was approved by on the Council on November 16th. It includes progressive transportation elements.

Report from Ray Kuzbari, Concord Transportation Manager

Status Update on Phase 1 and 2 Trail Projects from Monument Blvd. to Market Street
* Anticipate starting design on both projects by January 2011 which will probably take 3 to 6 months to complete.
* Construction on both projects is anticipated to occur in 2012.

Monument Blvd. Corridor Streetscape Urban Design Study and Design Guidelines
* A traffic analysis is currently underway by a consultant to address the issues that came up during the July 2009 City Council study session.
* Not sure how soon the analysis will be completed, Staff doing all we can given our limited staffing resources.

Ray is interested in MCP plans for a replacement vehicle and will talk with Bryan Balch, our Executive Director.

Dave Pitman Report

Dave requests each member of TAT send an E-Mail to Senator Barbara Boxer urging her to lead the way in making roads safe for all users (Complete Streets).

Pedestrian facilities during the hour around sunset can as much as quadruple from normal rates during the weeks after Daylight savings time in the fall.

It's high time for a "complete streets" policy that ensures safe road access for everyone - including pedestrians, bicyclists, wheelchair users, and others. Congress can make complete streets part of the new federal transportation bill, which would be a huge step towards making our roads safe all year!

The group empowered Dave to write a letter to Barbara Boxer in our name regarding timely legislation for Complete Streets.

Group Discussion on Encouraging more bike riding

Do a local survey on bike riding, bike trails, bike routes.
Evaluate routes for safety.
See if there is an interest in establishing a local bike shop
See if there is interest in a regular bike repair day for kids in area
Hold a bicycle forum
Explore Lesher Grant feasibility

Discussion on SCUFI, Sustainable Commercial Urban Farm Incubator: SCUFI offers training for Concord residents in planning and operating an urban farm. It will bring healthy food choices to the community and support other related businesses. Monument residents would eat healthier because of the fresh produce produced nearby. Sign Ups for the SCUFI training which starts in January are encouraged. Call the Chavez Center.

The SCUFI BART Project:
Preliminary design has begun on two sites suitable for SCUFI projects, the 7 acre BART site between San Miguel Road and Monument Blvd. The SCUFI project at the BART site has passed BART Design Review and is ready for a meeting with the City Planners.

The Bulge Community Garden Project:
The 1.8 acre site called "The Bulge" is located at the end of Mayette Ave. near the Walnut Creek Channel on land owned by Contra Costa County. The Bulge parcel, which has an opportunity for a community garden, is included in the Counties Iron Horse Trail Improvement project. Our committee members are currently researching utility easements and other information, for the Bulge project, in preparation for a Februay 2nd. presentation to the Iron Horse Corridor Management Program Advisory Committee (IHCMPAC).

MEETING FEEDBACK:
Positive
* Dave's presentation on Complete Streets and letter to Sen. Boxer
* Eric representing bikers
* Good discussions

Could Be Improved
* More attendees
* Kingdom Riders representative needed

NEXT AGENDA:
* Evaluate TAT efforts in 2010
* Plan goals for 2011
* Monument Trail updates from Ray Kuzbari, City Transportation Manager
* Update on community funding opportunities for the Monument Trail Project.
* Invite Kathy to give update on the progress of SCUFI projects at the Bulge and on the BART site.
* MTC Public Participation Plan, How will the community become involved?

* NEXT MEETING

January 20, 2011, at the Keller House, 1760 Clayton Road, Concord, CA





Transportation Action Team Vision Statement: By the year 2015 The Monument Transportation Action Team will have planned and implemented a "local" transportation system that will serve all residents of the Monument area who need it. It will be affordable, sustainable, safe, coordinated, environmentally sound, and get riders and walkers where they need to go in a reasonable time