Approval is requested for the attached resolution supporting the federal reclassification of Kifer Road between Lawrence Expressway and Fair Oaks Avenue from an urban local street to an urban minor arterial street.  The proposed federal reclassification is consistent with the Federal Highway Administration definition for the characteristics of the street; will make the street classification consistent with the City’s General Plan classification; and, will make Kifer Road eligible for Federal aid.

BACKGROUND

In 1956 the Federal government created a roadway classification system that helped to define purpose and subsequent characteristics and standards of roadways.  This system also is utilized for determining eligibility for Federal transportation funding aid. 

It is unclear when the federal functional classification system for Sunnyvale streets was last updated.  In considering roadway repair needs, Public Works staff determined that a section of Kifer Road is in need of a pavement overlay.  Federal funding has been identified and applied for.  However, it was determined that this section of Kifer Road was classified by the Federal system as an urban local street, so that it is not currently eligible for funding.  Local streets typically serve only local land use and traffic and are typically single lane, slow speed roads. This classification is inconsistent with the current configuration and use characteristics of Kifer Road.  Kifer Road east of Lawrence Expressway is appropriately classified as an urban minor arterial.  The rest of the roadway shares the use characteristics of the eastern segment of the roadway – multiple travel lanes, turn pockets, relatively high traffic volumes, and connectivity with major arterial streets.  These characteristics are appropriate for a minor arterial designation, and in fact the City General Plan designates the roadway as such.  The Federal designation is inconsistent with the City’s designation.   

To remedy this situation, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) requires local agencies to prepare a request form and a City Council resolution supporting reclassification.  This will be reviewed by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Caltrans, and then be forwarded by Caltrans to the Federal Highway Administration for final disposition.  Caltrans staff indicate preliminarily that this section of Kifer Road is appropriate for reclassification.   

EXISTING POLICY

Land Use and Transportation Element R1.5 - Maintain a functional classification of the street system that identifies Congestion Management Program roadways and intersections, as well as local roadways and intersections of regional significance.

Land Use and Transportation Element C3.7 - Pursue local, state and federal transportation funding sources to finance City transportation capital improvement projects consistent with City priorities.

DISCUSSION

Kifer Road has been determined to be in need of repair.  Federal funds have been identified and allocated to conduct repairs, but the current federal functional classification is out of date with the current use characteristics and configuration of the roadway.  Reclassification will allow this roadway segment to be eligible for federal funds.  The roadway use characteristics are consistent with Federal and traffic engineering industry definitions of a minor arterial. The eastern segment of the roadway is already classified in the Federal system as a minor arterial, and the City’s General Plan classifies the segment in question as a minor arterial.

At this time staff is proposing only reclassification of Kifer Road, although there may be other instances of the Federal classification system not being consistent with current use characteristics and the City General Plan.  Staff may propose a more comprehensive evaluation of the entire federal functional classification system in Sunnyvale in the future, but resources are not currently available to conduct the required studies and evaluations to support a comprehensive effort.  Should a similar situation arise in the future, staff will continue to consider reclassification on a case by case basis.  

FISCAL IMPACT

Approval of the attached resolution will support reclassification of a 1.4 mile segment of Kifer Road to a category that is eligible for federal funding.  Federal funds are available for necessary repairs to this segment of roadway.  This constitutes a positive fiscal impact; however, no funds will be lost should the roadway not be reclassified as the funds will be used on other Sunnyvale roads consistent with federal regulations.

CONCLUSION

Kifer Road is currently classified as an urban local street by the Federal Highway Administration.  Staff has determined that this classification is inconsistent with the use characteristics and configuration of the roadway, and it is inconsistent with the City General Plan functional classification for the street.  The street is in need of repairs, and federal funds are available to make repairs.  However, the street must be reclassified in the Federal system in order for Federal funds to be utilized. 

PUBLIC CONTACT

Public contact was made through posting of the Council agenda on the City's official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the City's web page, and the availability of the report in the Library and the City Clerk's Office.

ALTERNATIVES    

1)     Review and approve the attached resolution supporting the Federal reclassification of Kifer Road from Lawrence Expressway to Fair Oaks Avenue from urban local street to urban minor arterial.

2)     Do not approve the attached resolution and forego eligibility for Federal transportation improvement aid for this segment of Kifer Road.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends Alternative #1: Review and approve the attached resolution supporting the Federal reclassification of Kifer Road from Lawrence Expressway to Fair Oaks Avenue from urban local street to urban minor arterial.

Reviewed by:

Marvin A. Rose, Director of Public Works

Prepared by: Jack Witthaus, Transportation and Traffic Manager

Approved by:

Amy Chan
City Manager

Attachment

A. Resolution (.pdf)