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Livermore’s active transportation plan is now projected to cost $75 million more than was estimated in 2018, due to the rising cost of construction, according to an interim update approved by the City Council last week.
The report also gives status updates on previously recommended projects — including over 100 that have been completed — commuting data and the city’s future pursuits.
This update was required for the city to remain eligible for active transport-related grants from the state and federal government. It was not, however, intended to make major changes to the transport plan established six years ago, assistant city manager Paul Spence said at the Oct. 14 council meeting.
“The City of Livermore envisions a city where people of all ages and abilities can comfortably access jobs, schools, recreation, shopping, and transit on foot or by bicycle as part of daily life in a healthy and active community,” the original plan reads.
To achieve this, the city created an active transportation plan in 2018 to improve the network for human-powered methods of travel like walking, bicycling, scootering and skateboarding.
Originally estimated to cost $183,443,100, the “Active Transportation Plan – 2024 Interim Update” balloons the projection to $258,779,900.
“Given the inflation of construction costs seen in recent years, success in obtaining grant funding will be essential to delivering the envisioned active transportation network in Livermore,” the update says.
Mayor John Marchand emphasized the longevity of this plan, since its estimated to cost nearly double the city’s annual budget.
“The general fund for the city of Livermore in the last budget was $147 million,” Marchand said at the meeting in October. “So this is an aspirational plan. It’s going to take place over a number of years.”
Despite the price-tag, “significant progress has been made towards the vision of a safer, low stress active transportation network that supports a flourishing walking, bicycling, and rolling city of Livermore,” the update reads.
Since 2018, Livermore has completed over 100 projects to improve the active transportation network, according to the update.
The city has created about 1.3 miles of additional sidewalks, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant curb ramps at 67 locations and new or improved crosswalks at 34 locations. Crews have also upgraded over 22 miles of bikeway.
In terms of impact, the share of people traveling to school via active transportation grew 5% from the 2017-18 school year to the 2021-22 school year.
“The increase shows that the changes in infrastructure and programming are effectively encouraging and supporting active travel to school,” the update reads.
As for working commuters, the percentage of people riding public transit, biking or walking has slightly decreased since 2018. But during the same period, the percentage of residents working from home has nearly doubled.
In terms of safety, Livermore has lower rates of bike collisions compared to nearby cities, but higher rates of pedestrian collisions. Compared to Alameda County as a whole, “Livermore is a lower risk city to ride a bike or walk in,” according to the update.
Bike involved crashes were reduced by 18% and pedestrian involved crashes were reduced by 6%, comparing 2010-14 to 2017-21.
But since the number of crashes in the city went down too, the proportion of crashes involving bikes and pedestrians actually increased.
The update also lays out network improvements to be completed in the near future including the Arroyo Road Trail, the Arroyo Mocho Trail and Las Colinas Trail.
Separated bikeways will be constructed on North Canyons Parkway/Portola Avenue and Isabel Avenue. A pedestrian and bicycle bridge will be constructed over Highway 84/Isabel Avenue with a new trail segment linking the Arroyo Mocho trail with the Jack London trail.
Following the city’s completion of its General Plan in 2026, it will review a comprehensive update to the ATP, according to a document provided by Steve Riley, the city’s planning manager.
In other business
* The council approved its pay raise, set to begin after commencement of the new term. The mayor’s monthly wage will increase by about $75 from the current pay to $1,564.50 per month. And the councilmembers will see an extra $53.50 to $1,123.50 monthly.
* The council also accepted a “Family Homelessness Challenge Grant” of about $280,000 from California. These funds will be allocated to the Livermore Housing Authority for additional units at Leahy Square, a public housing complex in Livermore, and to pay back the authority for case management, according to the resolution.
The funds will also go toward CityServe to “administer temporary rental assistance for homeless families awaiting available and renovated program units”, the resolution states.
