County approves SANDAG grant agreement to develop active transportation plan

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) will be providing the County of San Diego with a $500,000 grant for the county to develop a countywide active transportation plan.

A 5-0 San Diego County Board of Supervisors vote April 8 approved the grant agreement with SANDAG and the appropriation of the funding.

"It's really a good news item," said Supervisor Ron Roberts.

"It's a big deal for us any time we can bring in extra dollars for active transportation, and we're going to put this $500,000 to good use right away," said Supervisor Bill Horn. "We'll be working with local stakeholders to plan sorely needed active transportation projects which means that more trails, bike lanes, sidewalks will be coming to the unincorporated area soon."

SANDAG approved its regional grant selections Sept. 26, and the approvals included the development of the county's active transportation plan. The county will integrate and update several existing plans, programs, and documents into a comprehensive planning document for the unincorporated county. The active transportation plan will serve as a master plan and policy document to guide the development and maintenance of active transportation infrastructure including sidewalks, pathways, multi-use trails, and bikeways, and the plan will also be used for the Safe Routes to School program which provides sidewalks and other pedestrian protection for students traveling to and from school.

"Making these connections to various destinations will help us in many ways," Roberts said.

The $500,000 grant will be matched by $150,000 of county staff time. The county's Department of Planning and Development Services will lead the effort and will work with the Department of Public Works, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Health and Human Services Agency.

The active transportation plan process will include project management and public outreach, an inventory and mapping of existing conditions, a user needs assessment, development of a plan, environmental documentation, and adoption of the plan. The plan is expected to be completed within three years after receipt of the funding and, after the draft active transportation plan is completed, the Board of Supervisors will consider adoption of the plan.