IV. ACTION ELEMENT

 

The Action Element serves as the RTP's implementation strategy and is linked to projected revenues and costs in the Financial Element that follows. The Action Element sets forth a plan of action to address issues and needs identified in accordance with the Plan's goals, objectives and policies. The Action Element identifies short-range (present to 2010) and long-range (2011 to 2025) transportation improvements by mode. Newly introduced into this Action Element is a mechanism to assist with prioritizing the projects for funding. A set of specific criteria are applied to the projects and an overall score is provided based on the criteria.  As is discussed later in this chapter, the technical prioritization tool is one mean of determining projects that may receive priority for limited transportation funding. Future updates to the prioritization tool should evolve as HCAOG and its member agencies engage in this process.

A. PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Despite funding shortfalls and cutbacks that have occurred over the past several years, the HCAOG member entities and Native American tribes have accomplished many regional transportation improvement projects. This is due to considerable efforts by HCAOG members and tribal leaders alike, and reflects local commitments to develop Humboldt County's multi-modal transportation system. A number of these accomplishments are described below.

Caltrans initiated System Planning in the 1980’s to help direct the long-term maintenance, management, and development of the transportation system. The primary product of System Planning is the Route Concept Report, which is developed in cooperation with the Regional Transportation Planning Agencies. The Route Concept Report describes Caltran’s conceptual development options for a given transportation route or corridor. HCAOG, as the Regional Transportation Planning Agency for Humboldt County, review and comments on the Route Concept Report.

Humboldt County has completed bridge replacement projects, improved the secondary road system, and responded to higher maintenance road system requirements. The County continues its commitment to implementing the Humboldt County Trails Plan, particularly the Hammond Trail, as well as its commitment to public transit service and specialized transportation systems.

Humboldt County recently developed its new 5-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) which guides the uses of the County’s transportation dollars over the next several years. The County has developed a priority list of road projects from its pavement management system that determines the order of need in terms of maintenance and rehabilitation.

The City of Eureka, in conjunction with the County, continues with the resurfacing, reconstruction, and signalization of several arterial streets. The City's General Plan includes a Transportation and Circulation Element with updated policies for roadways, transit, bicycles and pedestrians, goods movement and rail and water transportation. The element includes implementation measures for a systematic traffic control program, and transit improvements. The City cooperates with the Humboldt Transit Authority on operations of the Eureka Transit Service, Redwood Transit System, and local para-transit programs.

The City of Arcata's General Plan: 2020 Transportation Element contains policies for a balanced transportation system, transportation system management, and other measures for managing the local transportation system. The City has also constructed traffic calming facilities, including roundabouts on Spear Avenue and Old Arcata Road, and traffic circles at several residential street intersections. The City supports Arcata and Mad River Transit System (A&MRTS), the Redwood Transit System, and a local para-transit system. The A&MRTS Transit Center serves as an intermodal facility for three transit lines, as well as providing a park & ride facility.

Arcata is currently developing the Arcata Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Capital Improvements Projects Schedule which will guide the future development of non-motorized projects. There are public indications for improved and safer pedestrian and bicycle facilities regionwide.

Fortuna has implemented a para-transit system and continues to implement the Rohnerville Road reconstruction project. Development of bicycle facilities were incorporated in the Rohnerville project and further aided by the cities adopted bike plans. Fortuna also participates in the HTA regional transit program and coordinates para-transit services with local health care providers.

The smaller cities in Humboldt County (Rio Dell, Ferndale, Trinidad, and Blue Lake) must continually look for funding to adequately maintain existing streets and roads. At the present time some of these smaller cities have public transit service, either through their HTA membership or their own municipal system operation.

 

The Blue Lake Rancheria Native American Tribe began dial-a-ride transit service in spring 2001. The Dial-A-Ride has one handicapped-equipped van. The service averages close to 20 one-way passenger trips, and approximately 105 miles, per day. Service will expand in the future as funding allows.  The Blue Lake Rancheria also began a fixed route intercity bus service in the fall of 2002. A 20-passenger bus serves the Rancheria, Blue Lake, Glendale, HSU and the Arcata Transit Center. Service is planned to Fieldbrook and McKinleville in the future. Thirteen daily round-trips are currently run from the Rancheria to the Transit Center. Monthly ridership has increased from 292 passengers in September 2002 to 954 in July 2003, peaking at 1,094 in April 2003. Service will be expanded as demand and funding allows.

 

Klamath Trinity Non Emergency Transportation (K/T NET) commenced transit operations in January 2003. K/T NET is a non-profit community based organization in eastern Humboldt County to provide needed service in underserved areas, including tribal lands such as Hoopa, and connections to other existing transit systems, such as Humboldt Transit Authority.  Existing or planned transportation service, depending on funding availability, will connect the communities of Pecwan, Orleans, Weitchpec, and Willow Creek with Arcata in Humboldt County, and Salyer, Hawkins Bar and Burnt Ranch in Trinity County with Willow Creek along the SR 299 corridor.

 

With local support and the help of federal funds, the Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria will be implementing transit service in the near future. It is currently in the process of procuring a transit vehicle to begin operations, which will serve the Rancheria and surrounding areas and connect to Humboldt Transit Authority for trips north and south along Highway 101, including College of the Redwoods. The transit system will be coordinated with HTA routes

Rehabilitation, reconstruction, and overlay projects for the local entities were programmed in recent STIP Augmentation cycles. This includes projects totaling more than $36 million which is the current balance of projects programmed in the 2002 STIP. Transportation Enhancement Activities (TEA) improvements were also programmed totaling $2.3 million in prior STIPs. The RTIP processes significantly reflect and serve to implement the RTP through programming the region's highest priority projects. These include numerous transit vehicle and public transit improvements, as well as facilities for bicycle and pedestrians in all of the incorporated cities and Humboldt County.

In terms of measurement parameters, the County and incorporated cities are progressing towards the multi-modal goals and objectives of the RTP. The realization of these goals will result from adherence to the comprehensive policies adopted in the RTP, and the development of a balanced transportation system in Humboldt County.

B. STATE AND REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING

The state and regional planning processes are defined by legislation on the federal and state level. In the last several years TEA-21, SB 45, CTC guidelines, and more recently the implications from the state budget crisis, have all had profound effects on regional transportation planning processes. For example, the legislative bills and acts have included new requirements for transportation planning, air quality conformity, project selection and delivery responsibility, and the allocation of federal funds. However, the bleak economic status of California has caused many delays in project funding and delivery, with future delays eminent. Following is a discussion of state and regional planning processes as they relate to this RTP.

B1. STATE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING PROCESS

State planning for highways is accomplished through several processes that identify needed improvement projects. These planning processes culminate in the biennial STIP for capacity-increasing projects. The STIP is a list of projects selected from the Regional Transportation Improvement Programs (RTIPs) and the Caltrans Interregional Transportation Improvement Program (ITIP). With the advent of SB 45, the biennial STIP changed from a four-year to a five-year program adopted by the CTC by April 1 of even numbered years.

In Humboldt County, as in many other rural counties, the planning policies revolve around conformity with state law, as well as Federal TEA-21 and other legislation. Additionally, Caltrans is responsible for state highway improvements of a non-capacity-increasing nature for rehabilitation, safety or operational improvements via the State Highway Operation and Protection Plan (SHOPP).

The current STIP process requires local jurisdictions to present their RTIP programming documents to the CTC biennially, usually at the end of each odd numbered year. Local agency RTIP products and individual projects must meet specific criteria and must have an approved Project Study Report (PSR) to be formally accepted by the CTC. HCAOG, as the regional agency, may program projects for the state highway system, local county road and city street networks, transit improvements, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, rail improvements, and other projects benefiting the regional intermodal transportation system.

Caltrans also has a long-term system planning process. Initiated by Caltrans in 1983, this process undergoes periodic review, and updates to conform to current requirements. Caltrans has developed Route Concept Reports for all of the State Highways in Humboldt County.

B2. REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PLANNING PROCESS

In response to AB 69 (1972), the regional transportation planning process was initiated throughout California in 1973. The Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) was designated as the Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA) for Humboldt County.

A primary responsibility of the HCAOG is to adopt and update the RTP and RTIP in accordance with state law. The HCAOG is also responsible for determining the priorities for all proposed new transportation facilities shown in the RTP. The HCAOG is required to submit the RTP biennially to the CTC and Caltrans by December 1 of all even-numbered years. The RTIP is due biennially on December 15 of odd-numbered years.

Each fiscal year, the HCAOG approves the Overall Work Program (OWP). The OWP document outlines the transportation planning work to be accomplished, responsible agencies, and funding. The OWP helps ensure that an adequate and up-to-date RTP is maintained. The OWP must be approved by Caltrans before State and Regional Planning Assistance Funds (SRPAF) can be used for transportation planning studies or administration. The state funds are used to reimburse local funds and no local matching funds are required.

The OWP also includes regional agency use of Planning, Programming and Monitoring (PPM) resources. One of the significant purposes of the OWP is to serve as the tool for addressing issues emanating from the RTP and its processes, thereby creating an implementation mantle for the RTP, RTIP, and OWP.

It is HCAOG's responsibility to prepare an RTP that identifies projects needed in Humboldt County, and to comply with RTP guidelines adopted by the CTC in 2000. In preparing both the RTP and RTIP, the HCAOG works cooperatively with Caltrans to ensure consistency with their system planning and other processes. The RTP must be financially constrained based on realistic funding expectations.

 

B3.  CONSISTENCY WITH GOALS, POLICIES AND FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS

 

The RTP’s regional and local action programs are a compilation of projects already proposed and/or planned for Humboldt County in past RTPs and planning studies, as well as new projects necessary to provide adequate operation of the various transportation systems.  These current and future projects and programs are supported by the goals and policies contained in the RTP’s Policy Element.

 

The recommended improvements for the roadway system, the transit system, aviation facilities, bikeway and pedestrian facilities, and the goods movement system are important steps towards achieving the region’s transportation goals.  Action programs for Transportation Systems Management (TSM), Transportation Demand Management (TDM), Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and air quality are also selected for their ability to meet transportation program goals and carry out policy.

 

Some larger transportation system improvements being considered for Humboldt County, such as bypasses, interchanges, or regional express bus service, are costly to develop and operate.  The Financial Element program funds come from a variety of sources, to carry out both long-term and short-term projects identified in the Action Element.  Projects and programs are considered financially constrained when the necessary funding is lacking.

 

B4.  PURPOSE AND NEED

 

The purpose of RTP improvements are to: improve safety on state highways, county roads, and city streets; increase transit ridership; expand non-motorized facilities; increase pedestrian and bicycle travel; make goods movement more efficient; maximize local aviation linkages to the national network; improve infrastructure and facilities for recreational travel; maintain pipeline transmission systems; utilize Transportation System Management techniques and technologies (ITS and ATS); reduce transportation related air pollution; and promote coordinated land use and transportation planning.

C. PLAN ASSUMPTIONS

Regional transportation planning is a critical process because it affects all residents. The Regional Transportation Plan is based on a set of assumptions regarding the future needs of those residents. These assumptions, listed in the RTP Introduction and Needs Assessment, address projected growth, travel patterns, transit ridership, fuel and energy costs, goods movement, and use of alternative travel modes. Actions are based on projected needs derived from these assumptions.

D. SHORT AND LONG TERM IMPROVEMENTS BY MODE

The transportation improvements proposed in this RTP are separated into short-term (0-10 years) and long-term (11-20 years) projects to conform to RTP Guidelines. The following improvements for the roadway system, the transit system, aviation facilities, bikeway and pedestrian facilities, and the rail and goods movement system are proposed to alleviate existing transportation problems (short-term) or accommodate future (long-term) travel demand.

 

D1. ROADWAYS

To improve and maintain a regional road system, both short-term and long-term projects are needed. Projects listed below identify the key roadway improvements for Humboldt County's regional road system through the RTP's horizon year of 2025. These improvements are in addition to critically needed road maintenance.

Short-term (0-10 years) STIP Funded & Candidate Roadway Projects. Table IV-1 lists the current 2002 STIP improvement projects and their costs for roadways in Humboldt County. In addition, other projects that are not currently in the STIP, but have been identified as near term, are also included. Despite being programmed in the STIP, most projects have not been voted to receive actual funding by the state CTC. This is significant as the state budget crisis and lower expectation for future funding may likely cause a delay in getting these projects implemented. The total cost of the short term road projects is close to $77 million.

Long-term (11-20 years) Roadway Projects. Table IV-2 lists the proposed candidate long-term improvement projects and their costs. The projects identified in the table are necessary to maintain service levels and accommodate projected traffic growth over the next twenty years. The total long-range cost estimate could exceed $464 million.

Short-term (0-10 years) SHOPP Funded Roadway Projects. Short-term improvement projects for the State Highway System will be funded through the Caltrans SHOPP and "Minor" programs. Although Caltrans is responsible for these programs, the County may have limited input into those projects that are programmed for SHOPP funding. Table IV-3 lists the short-range SHOPP projects that are either programmed by Caltrans in the 2002 SHOPP or are deemed necessary for implementation in the near term. Total cost is $122 million.

Long-term (11-20 year) SHOPP Funded Roadway Projects. In the long-term, Caltrans is expected to continue funding certain State highways improvements in Humboldt County through the SHOPP program. Caltrans District 1 was very helpful in identifying both short and long term SHOPP projects. The long term projects identified in Table IV-4, including rehabilitation and operations, cost $81 million.

 

Local Streets, Hazard Elimination Safety, Emergency Repair and Bridge Replacement. Important Humboldt County roadway, safety, emergency repair and bridge projects are listed in
Table IV-5. This table also indicates the likely funding sources for these projects, which were all included in the prior Regional Transportation Plans.

Inventory of Ten-Year Funding Needs (SR 8). State Resolution 8 requires that the State report unfunded costs of operating, rehabilitating and expanding the State's transportation system over the next ten years. Through requests of the State's regional transportation agencies and Caltrans, the California Transportation Commission has prepared an inventory of unfunded transportation needs. The statewide funding shortfall is dramatic, upwards of $53.6 billion of improvements are needed for highways, arterials, bridges, rail, transit, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The following summarizes SR 8's inventory of Humboldt County's needs for the next ten years:

• Pavement rehabilitation on local streets and roads: $157,870,900
• Local bridge replacement and rehabilitation: $27,311,333
• Native American reservation roads and access roads (federally funded): $89,831,300
• State highway bridge and highway rehabilitation (SHOPP funded): $220,700,000
• State highway safety improvements (SHOPP funded): $16,900,000
• State highway operational improvements (SHOPP funded): $32,900,000
• State highway recurring problems: $63,500,000
• Total SHOPP needs in next ten years: $334,000,000

The SR 8 inventory identifies specific projects in Humboldt County including:

• Richardson Grove Bypass ($250,000,000) *
• Eureka-Arcata Freeway Gap ($28,000,000)
• NWP Railroad damage repair ($52,500,000)

*The project at Richardson’s Grove was portrayed in SR 8 products, but has since been eliminated as a candidate in Caltrans US 101 Route Concept Report (October 2000) due to cost and environmental considerations.

Operational Benefits Resulting from the RTP Improvements. Regional circulation system benefits from RTP projects include reduced roadway congestion and increased safety. If all of the listed projects were implemented, most of the regional roadway facilities in Humboldt County would operate at acceptable levels under 2025 conditions based on average daily traffic. However, some locations will continue to experience increases in traffic during peak periods due to recreational travel that may cause some delay or added congestion from time to time. Further physical improvements required to maintain better-than-average traffic operations along these segments would be financially infeasible and would cause additional environmental impacts.

Table IV-1 – Short Term Roadway Projects

Table IV-1 – Short Term Roadway Projects

Table IV-1 – Short Term Roadway Projects

Table IV-1 – Short Term Roadway Projects

Humboldt County Short Term Roadway Projects
Project Information								Purpose/Need
Contained in 2002 STIP	Funded (F) or Pending (P) Funds	STIP Project #	Route (Post Mile)		Description	Cost ($000s)	Program Fiscal Year	Congestion Relief	Safety Improve-ment	Multi-Modal Improve-ment
			Railroad Ave		Reconstruct from G St toBlue Lake Blvd. With curb, gutter and sidewalk	$650		X	X	X
			Railroad Ave Hatchery Rd		Reconstruct intersection with improved traffic control	$100		X	X
			2nd Avenue		Reconstruct from Broad Street to J St. with curb, gutter, and sidewalk	$400		X	X	X
			Hartman Ave		Reconstruct from Blue Lake Blvd. To 2nd Ave. with curb, gutter and sidewalk	$400		X	X	X
			I Street		Reconstruct from Blue Lake Blvd. To 4th Ave. with curb, gutter and sidewalk	$250		X	X	X
			Hatchery Rd		Construct pedestrian walks on both sides of Hatchery Rd	$250		X	X	X
			Various		Sidewalk construction and repair	$400		X	X	X
			Greenwood  Ave  and Railroad Ave		Complete rehabilitation of Greenwood Ave – Blue Lake Blvd. To Railroad Ave, and Railroad Ave from Greenwood Ave to Hatchery Rd	$600		X	X
					Subtotal	$4,204
City of Eureka
X		2060P		Myrtle Ave	Myrtle Ave. 5th St to Harrison – Class II Bike Lanes	$33	2003-04		X	X
X	P	2061P		7th Street	J St to Myrtle Ave pavement widening for bike lanes.	$283	2003-04		X	X
Locally funded				Waterfront Dr	Construct coastal access drive and bike lanes between J and K St to reduce congestion on US 101.	$1,320	2003-04	X	X
X		5017-009		V Street	Widen roadway on V St and adding additional lanes on 4th and 5th Streets.	$2,150	2003-04	X	X
		5017-014 (PA&ED)		Waterfront Dr	Construct coastal access drive to reduce congestion on US 101 between Del Norte St. and Hilfiker Lane	$9,635	2007-08	X	X	X
X