REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 9, 2026
FROM
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works -Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Applications to the California Department of Transportation for Active Transportation Program Cycle 8 Call for Projects to Develop a High Desert Safe Routes to School Plan and to Construct Pedestrian Safety Improvements and Infrastructure
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve and authorize the submission of a grant application to the California Department of Transportation, in the amount of $500,000 for the Active Transportation Program Cycle 8 call-for-projects to develop a High Desert Safe Routes to School Plan.
2. Approve and authorize the submission of a grant application to the California Department of Transportation, in the amount of $4,952,000, for the Active Transportation Program Cycle 8 call-for-projects for pedestrian safety improvements and infrastructure for Dickson Elementary School in the Chino area.
3. Approve and authorize the submission of a grant application to the California Department of Transportation, in the amount of $2,161,000, for the Active Transportation Program Cycle 8 call-for-projects for pedestrian safety improvements and infrastructure for Sequoia Middle School in the Fontana area.
4. Approve and authorize the submission of a grant application to the California Department of Transportation, in the amount of $4,329,000, for the Active Transportation Program Cycle 8 call-for-projects for pedestrian safety improvements and infrastructure for Pacific High School in the San Bernardino area.
5. Approve and authorize the submission of a grant application to the California Department of Transportation, in the amount of $685,000, for the Active Transportation Program Cycle 8 call-for-projects for pedestrian safety improvements and infrastructure for Redlands East Valley High School in the Redlands area.
6. Approve and authorize the submission of a grant application to the California Department of Transportation, in the amount of $5,437,000, for the Active Transportation Program Cycle 8 call-for-projects for pedestrian safety improvements and infrastructure for Bloomington High School in the Bloomington area.
7. Authorize the Chief Executive Officer to sign letters of commitment and any non-substantive amendments to the grant application required by Caltrans related to the Active Transportation Program Cycle 8, subject to review by County Counsel.
8. Direct the Director of the Department of Public Works to transmit any non-substantive amendments to the grant applications to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of submission.
(Presenter: Noel Castillo, Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Foster Sustainable Development Through Strategic Partnerships.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). Although no local match is required for the Active Transportation Program (ATP), the program’s competitive scoring rubric provides additional scoring consideration for medium projects exceeding $3,500,000 that include matching funds.
The Department of Public Works (Department) intends to submit one grant application requesting $500,000 to develop a County-wide Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Plan for eighteen (18) schools located in the unincorporated high desert area of the County. The Department also intends to submit five grant applications requesting a combined total of $17,564,000 for pedestrian safety improvements and infrastructure projects in the Chino, Fontana, San Bernardino, Redlands, and Bloomington areas. Funding for ATP Cycle 8 projects is anticipated to occur during fiscal years 2027-28 through 2030-31.
The authorized use of $2,958,318 from the Public Works Local Match Reserve is anticipated to be requested to provide matching funds for the three projects exceeding $3,500,000 in total project costs. Providing matching funds equal to at least 20.1 percent of the total project costs allows the applications to receive the maximum competitive scoring available for local match participation. Per the ATP Cycle 8 grant guidelines, to be considered for matching points, the letters of commitment must be signed by the Chief Executive Officer or other officer authorized by the applicant’s governing board. Projects with total costs below $3,500,000 are not eligible for additional scoring consideration related to matching funds.
If grant funding is awarded, the Department will return to the Board of Supervisors (Board) for grant acceptance, approval of the use of Public Works Local Match Reserve funds, and any necessary budget adjustments.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) ATP is a competitive statewide program created to encourage the increased use of active modes of transportation, such as biking and walking. To be considered for funding, the ATP requires projects to be identified in an Active Transportation Plan.
On March 17, 2022, Caltrans announced the call-for-projects for Cycle 6 of the ATP. On June 14, 2022 (Item No. 63), the Board approved and authorized the submission of a grant application to Caltrans in the amount of $500,000 for the development of a SRTS Plan to identify safety measures to be implemented within school attendance boundaries, to provide a safer active transportation environment to Valley schools. The recommended pedestrian improvements around Pacific High School, Sequoia Middle School, Bloomington High School, Redlands East Valley High School, and Dickson Elementary School were identified as a priority among the 21 SRTS Valley Plan schools evaluated.
On March 19, 2026, Caltrans announced the call-for-projects for Cycle 8 of the ATP, with applications due to Caltrans no later than June 22, 2026. Because the ATP is a competitive grant program, submission of an application is not a guarantee of funding. Grant awards are anticipated to be announced in November 2026.
Approval of this item will authorize submission of six grant applications for the ATP. Five grant applications are requesting funding for pedestrian safety infrastructure improvements at schools located in unincorporated San Bernardino County, and one grant application is requesting funding for the creation and development of a SRTS ATP Plan for 18 high desert schools, which are not currently included in the existing SRTS ATP plan.
This proposed High Desert SRTS ATP Plan will identify safety improvement projects at schools in the unincorporated high desert area of the County. Once part of an SRTS ATP Plan, these 18 school sites can be submitted in future ATP grant solicitations for infrastructure funding.
Approval of this item will also authorize the Chief Executive Officer or Director of the Department to sign and submit the grant application documents on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel, to Caltrans for consideration. If any of the grant applications are successful, funds will be provided to the County on a reimbursement basis, to fund the creation and development of a SRTS Plan for 18 schools in the unincorporated high desert areas of the County or for the design and construction of pedestrian safety improvements and infrastructure in the unincorporated area of the County.
This action meets the County’s and 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 secures investment in essential infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents by constructing facilities that promote health and social activities.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on June 4, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Dalton, Administrative Analyst, 387-5005) on May 27, 2026.