Report Prepared by: Francisco Mendoza-Gonzalez, Associate Planner, Development Services Department
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SUBJECT: Status of City of Merced Active Transportation Plan
REPORT IN BRIEF
Staff will provide a report and answer questions regarding the status of the City's Active Transportation Plan.
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DISCUSSION
During the BPAC Meeting of June 27th, 2023, commissioners inquired about reviewing the City's current bicycle master plan and providing updates. City Council adopted its current Active Transportation Plan (for both bicycle and pedestrian facilities) during the summer of 2019 and reviewed by BPAC Spring of 2019. This process included over a year of outreach and collaboration with the BPAC, various neighborhoods, and agency stakeholders. The City's Active Transportation Plan (ATP) includes updated collision data, priority improvement project list, and bike lane class recommendations. Due to funding constraints and staffing limitations, the City is not in position to update its current Active Transportation Plan. Long range plans such as these are generally updated every 10 to 15 years depending on funding or grant availability with no expiration dates on most long-range plans.
The City is currently working with the Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG) to update the County-wide Regional Active Transpiration Plan which also includes potential projects within and around the City limits. MCAG will incorporate several elements of the City's ATP and provide updated data and suggestions based on ongoing workshops. This Regional Active Transportation Plan is important as 20% of Measure V funds are allocated for alternative modes of transportation projects such pedestrian walking paths and bicycle lanes. Having a Regional Active Transportation Plan will help prioritize these projects. MCAG attended the BPAC meeting of June 27th, 2023, to introduce this project and will be working with City staff to further coordinate meetings and outreach with the B...
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