REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 8, 2024
FROM
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works - Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Ratification of Final Application Submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration for the Consolidated Railroad Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Ratify the approval of final grant application submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration, in the amount of $40,000,000, for Consolidated Railroad Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant call-for-projects to construct a grade separation and mobility infrastructure project for Vista Road in the Helendale area.
(Presenter: Noel Castillo, Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Department of Public Works (Department) is requesting ratification of a final grant application for the Consolidated Railroad Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant applications submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration requesting $40,000,000 towards the $50,000,000 total construction cost to construct a grade separation (Project) for Vista Road in the Helendale area. Pursuant to the terms of the CRISI grant, the County is required to provide a 20 percent local match of $10,000,000 which is anticipated to be funded by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad. If the CRISI grant is awarded, the Department will present an item to the Board of Supervisors (Board) to accept the award and will work with BNSF Railroad to bring a funding agreement before the Board for the 20 percent local match requirement of $10,000,000.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The proposed Project, for which the Department requested funding from the CRISI program, is a grade separation to address traffic and safety impacts on Vista Road in the Helendale area. Vista Road is the site of an at-grade crossing of the BNSF rail line. The Project will close the existing crossing at Vista Road and redirect traffic approximately one mile to the south via Jordan Road to a proposed bridge crossing over the rail line, connecting with the National Trails Highway. The bridge will separate train and traffic movements to improve safety and mobility.
On May 21, 2024 (Item No. 77), the Board approved a draft grant application and authorized the Chief Executive Officer or Director of the Department of Public Works to finalize, and electronically execute and submit the grant application and any necessary amendments, subject to review by County Counsel, to the United States Federal Railroad Administration under the CRISI grant program. Final grant application materials, exhibits, and supporting information were prepared and timely submitted on May 24, 2024, prior to the grant submission deadline.
Approval of this item will ratify the approval and electronic submission of the final grant application for the CRISI 2024 call-for-projects to construct a grade separation for Vista Road. The final application now includes all accompanying exhibits, which includes certain Grants.gov workspace forms that contain budget information, certifications regarding lobbying, debarment, suspension, other responsibility matters, and assurances for construction programs. These attachments are the standard federal grant forms required as part of submission of grant applications for the CRISI grant call-for-projects program. The additional grant application attachments were not previously included with the draft application presented to the Board on May 21, 2024. They are now presented here for ratification and approval of the final grant application.
This action meets the County’s and the Chief Executive Officer’s goals and objectives of operating in a fiscally responsible and business-like manner by seeking grant funding for projects. Additionally, should grant funds be awarded, the action helps ensure the development of a well-planned, balanced, and sustainable county by constructing facilities that promote safety and mobility.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on September 11, 2024; Finance (Jessica Trillo, Administrative Analyst, 387-4222) on September 19, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on September 23, 2024.