Title
Department of Transportation recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 055-2019 with route map included as Resolution Exhibit A, stating the Board’s support for the development of United States Bicycle Routes 50 from South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco and 85 from southern California to Oregon.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHTO), in coordination with Caltrans and the Adventure Cycling Association (Adventure Cycling), has designated bicycle route corridors in California to be developed as United States Bicycle Route (USBR) 50 from South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco, and USBR 85 from southern California to Oregon. A map illustrating the two routes is attached to the resolution as Exhibit A (See Attachment C). El Dorado County lies within both corridors which overlap near South Lake Tahoe.
USBR 50 and USBR 85 are intended to join a national network of bicycle routes, connecting urban, suburban and rural areas across the country. The USBR System, which encompasses over 13,483 miles of bicycle routes in 26 states, is a project to create publicly accessible bicycle travel routes across the country (See Attachment D for a map of the USBR System route network). All routes are designated through a state-and federal-level process, with the goal of building broad support for bicycling and bicycle travel in communities across the nations. The proposed routes will encourage bicycle travel in El Dorado County benefiting local residents and tourism.
El Dorado County Department of Transportation (Transportation) staff coordinated with Adventure Cycling and the El Dorado County Transportation Commission (EDCTC) to identify the most appropriate routes within El Dorado County, depicted on Exhibit A. The proposed routes have been reviewed by staff and determined to be suitable by Transportation.
The resolution or designation does not obligate the County to any future costs or liabilities as a result of the designation. Transportation agrees to work with appropriate representatives to coordinate the placement of signs (if any) on County managed roads along the route.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
The proposed action has been determined to be exempt from the provisions of CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 (c).
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose to not adopt and authorize the Chair to sign the resolution; however, AASHTO and Caltrans may establish bicycle routes elsewhere in neighboring counties to facilitate the desired connections.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact or change to Net County Cost associated with this item. This Board action does not obligate the County to any future costs or liabilities as a result of such.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair’s signature on two (2) original Resolutions.
2) The Clerk of the Board will forward one (1) original Resolution to Transportation, attention Julie Millard.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure, Economic Development, and Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Department of Transportation