By Tony Hicks, Bay City News Foundation, February 3, 2023
“Contra Costa County is California’s biggest winner with nearly $29 million of the $133 million in grant money recently awarded from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program.
“According to a joint statement from U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Dianne Feinstein, the money will support 50 initiatives across the state to improve roadway safety.
“According to Linsey Willis, the director of external affairs for the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, the money will go toward five projects:
“The San Francisco Bay Trail Gap Closure-Martinez Intermodal Station to Crockett
“The project will close a half-mile gap in the 23-mile Carquinez Strait Scenic Loop Trail and the 500-mile San Francisco Bay Trail.
“Richmond Street Complete Streets Improvements
“This project will improve Richmond Street to provide safe and accessible pedestrian connections between El Cerrito’s walkable residential neighborhoods to both the del Norte and Plaza BART Stations and the city’s San Pablo Avenue Priority Development Area.
“Antioch’s L Street Pathway to Transit, Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements
“This project includes improvements on L Street between Ninth Street and Sycamore Drive, including new sidewalks under the railroad tracks and along the fairgrounds.
“Antioch Bicycle Garden
“This will build a one-of-a-kind facility for teaching bicycle and pedestrian safety education to encourage the use of pollution-free transportation.
“Moraga Road and Canyon Road Complete Streets Improvements
“[Improvements including] new sidewalks, replacement/repair [of] nonconforming sidewalks, and installation of various other amenities … will be made along Moraga Road between St Mary’s Road and Moraga Way; and Canyon Road between Moraga Way and Sanders Drive.
“[Other SS4A grants towards the Bay Area include] $17.61 million to San Francisco to make safety improvements in the Western Addition neighborhood, $15 million to the Alameda County Transportation Commission to address safety concerns along the 14-mile San Pablo Avenue corridor.”