ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION GRANTS

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION GRANTS

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT Council direct staff to:

1. Apply for the Province of British Columbia’s Vision Zero Grant in support of the Speed Reduction Strategy Program;
2. Apply for the Province of British Columbia’s Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant in support of the Atkins Road Sidewalk Project (C-107) and the Helmcken Road at Watkiss Way Intersection Improvements Project (C-128).

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:

Option #2: That instead of applying for the Province of British Columbia’s Vision Zero Grant in support of the Speed Reduction Strategy Program, that Council direct staff to apply for this grant in support of the Bus Shelter Installation Program (C-139).

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to seek Council approval to apply for two (2) active transportation related grants that are being offered by the Province of British Columbia: the Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant, and the Vision Zero Grant.

BACKGROUND:

Vision Zero Grant (up to $20,000, due November 29, 2024)

Projects that are fit for this funding program involve improvements to vulnerable road user safety, making road access more equitable for all British Columbians. Eligible projects can range from design and installations of capital improvements, to costs associated with enacting policies and other innovative initiatives that address vulnerable road user safety.

Staff recommend that this grant be applied to support a Speed Limit Reduction Program: an initiative that Council has directed staff to present as part of next year’s budget deliberations. The project will propose the installation of additional speed limit signage and a revision to the Traffic Calming Policy and Streets Bylaw to support the speed limit reductions.

An alternative project that may benefit from the Vision Zero grant is the Bus Shelter Installation Program (C-139). However, the project is already committed with funding for the next 5 years, cost savings area already in place as staff secured partnerships with BC Transit, and a $20,000 contribution does not significantly impact the delivery of the project.

Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant (up to $500,000, due October 31, 2024)

Up to two (2) shelf ready capital projects may be applied for this funding stream. The 2024-2028 Financial Plan already identifies two projects that should be applied for the Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant:

1. Atkins Road Sidewalk – Anya Court to Langford Border (Project C-107)
2. Helmcken Rd at Watkiss Way Intersection Improvements (Project C-128)

ANALYSIS:

Impacts and implications can be summarized as follows:

ALIGNMENT:

The recommended option aligns with the Town’s core guiding documents as follows:

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GOAL:

The desired level of public participation for the recommended option is:

[x] Inform [ ] Consult [ ] Involve [ ] Collaborate [ ] Empower [ ] N/A

TIME CRITICAL:

There are application deadlines associated with the two funding streams. The provincial grant application process can be time consuming and will require staff time to complete.

ATTACHMENTS:

1. Project Summary C-107
2. Project Summary C-128