money would fund. For the first tier, funds are made available to jurisdictions by population formula, based on the $8.3 million which is the minimum in road funds expected for Monterey County.  The second tier is competitive for any additional funds. 

Each city and the county had a minimum share of funds for qualifying projects. Then, projects were ranked according to these key criteria:
·         Equity between jurisdictions,
·         ability to meet federal and state project delivery requirements,
·         likelihood to start construction within the time limits set in the stimulus package, and
·         a demonstrated benefit to the region’s transportation system. 

Tier 1 projects are expected to receive a full share of funding. The approved Tier 2 projects will be considered along with regional project priorities when the final Monterey County share of stimulus funds is set. Figures are expected from the Federal Highway Administration by March 3.

Tier 1 Projects:
Gonzales                       2009 South Alta Street Overlay Project
Greenfield                      Storm drains on El Camino Real
King City                       2009 King City Resurfacing Project - Phase 1
Marina                          California Ave Roadway Improvements
Monterey                      Reconstruct Abrego St between Fremont to Eldorado
Monterey County           Espinosa Rd Overlay Project
Pacific Grove                 Central Ave Curb and Gutter, Sidewalk Replacement
Pacific Grove                 Citywide Rehabilitation Projects
Salinas                         East Laurel Drive Improvements
Soledad                        Oak St. Traffice Signal
Seaside                        Reconstruct Del Monte S City Limit to Broadway Ave

MONTEREY PENINSULA RAPID TRANSIT

Rapid bus or rail service between Marina and Monterey is one step closer to becoming a reality with the completion of the Monterey Branch Line Alternatives Analysis, a document required for a project to qualify for federal capital funding. The Monterey Branch Line Alternatives Analysis study compares two alternatives to address the mobility needs in the Highway 1 corridor between Monterey and Marina. The alternatives include Bus Rapid Transit service between Monterey and Castroville and Light Rail Transit service between Monterey and Castroville.

The Monterey Peninsula Fixed Guideway Service will provide alternative transit service using the existing Monterey Branch Line alignment, which was purchased by the Transportation Agency in 2003.  This 16-mile service will connect to the planned Caltrain service in Castroville and also provide local transit alternatives with key stations in Monterey, Seaside, Sand City, Marina/CSUMB, and Castroville. The Transportation Agency is currently taking options out to the public to obtain input into the selection of a locally preferred alternative. 

There are a number of benefits to either alternative.

Bus Rapid Transit Benefits:
Ability to drive buses off of the guideway onto local streets
Convenience of a one seat ride from Monterey to Salinas and Castroville

Light Rail Transit Benefits:
Light Rail appears more permanent than a bus-way.
Potential for intercity rail from San Francisco to Monterey in the future.
Attractiveness of the light rail to “choice” riders.

The next steps for the project include the selection of a locally preferred alternative. The Transportation Agency will also be distributing a request for proposals for the completion of the environmental analysis for the project in early March. Proposals are due to Kristen Hoschouer at the Transportation Agency by March 30, 2009. The Transportation Agency Board expects to award a contract for the environmental analysis at its May meeting.

NEW BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES
ADVISORY COMMITTEE & SOCIAL SERVICES TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS

The Transportation Agency approved Dominick Askew to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Advisory Committee representing the City of Marina. Mr. Askew is an architect and a LEED Accredited Professional.  He is interested in incorporating a transportation paradigm that is non-auto-centric into the forefront of public awareness and the planning process, with the hope of reducing dependence on non-renewable energy sources.  Mr. Askew is also very interested in promoting sustainable neighborhood development.

The Board also approved Marcie Castro to the Social Services Transportation Advisory Council representing the Area Agency on Aging and potential transit users ages 60 and over. Ms. Castro serves as staff to the Monterey County Area Agency on Aging, which distributes funding to serve the needs of the elderly. She is also known by the Councilmembers through her professional work.