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Increase Funding for Sidewalk Repair and Ensure Best Practices in Sidewalk Design: • Out of the total $27 million in this CIP, only $250,000 is dedicated to Sidewalk Repair. In order for children to safely reach their schools and for parents to feel comfortable allowing children to walk to school, the city must improve sidewalks, crosswalks and traffic control devices It is unclear from the CIP whether the current funding will adequately address these concerns. • During sidewalk repairs ensure crossing distances are minimized through the inclusion of bulbouts and install signals that provide pedestrians adequate time to cross the street. Where crossing distances may be too large for pedestrians to safely cross during a single signal phase, median refuge islands should be included on streets. Ensure that Existing Projects Incorporate Complete Street Elements: • One of the most cost effective measures for improving bicycling and walking is to incorporate high quality design into existing projects. Small changes in engineering can be incorporated into existing projects to increase safety of walking and bicycling. • Maintenance and road repair projects are excellent opportunities for incorporating bicycle facilities at almost no cost- The City should ensure that these projects incorporate proposed routes from the Bicycle Master Plan. • Signal synchronization is a laudable effort to increase the efficiency of the roadway for automobiles but should not come at the expense of bicyclists and pedestrians. California has recently adopted new regulations to ensure that signal timing accommodates bicycles and pedestrians. (MUTCD 2012) Expand funding for Bicycle Facilities: • We applaud the City for improving bicycle parking options in the CIP. As the City moves forward with its plans for a fixed guideway project, additional bicycle parking will be needed by residents and public transit riders. It is most effective to include the design for bicycle parking early in the planning and design process. When bicycle parking is poorly located, it is often neglected and underutilized. • We recommend that the City continue to pursue grant opportunities for bicycle and pedestrian projects. While funding for these projects is limited, many federal and state funds can be used to include bicycle facilities as part of larger projects. The City of Santa Ana staff's effort to apply for active transportation infrastructure and non-infrastructure funding is impressive and commendable. Our organization is able to provide resources to the city through the Safe Routes to School Southern California Network of partners, monthly calls, best practices, and staff time to find new sources of funding and drive innovative techniques. We look forward to working with the City of Santa Ana City Council members and staff to create a robust local and regional active transportation network. Respectfully submitted, Pauline Chow, Esq. Southern California Policy Manager Safe Routes to School National Partnership Pauline@saferoutespartership.org 312-685-1685 Rye Baerg, Southern California Policy Manager Safe Routes to School National Partnership rye@saferoutespartnership.org 818-542-6478 Page 2 of 2