Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Livingston outlines CMAQ projects, constraints on sidewalk repairs and long federal review timelines
Summary
Public works and engineering staff described the city’s transportation work plan, explained how CMAQ and other federal funds are programmed through MCAG and Caltrans, and said federal requirements limit the city’s ability to use CMAQ for replacing existing sidewalks.
City staff laid out the transportation work plan and explained why federally routed funds can mean long lead times for street, sidewalk and multiuse projects.
Transportation staff said many of Livingston’s sidewalk and multiuse trail projects are funded with federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) dollars routed through the Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG) and managed with Caltrans local‑assistance review. “There’s a number of CMAQ projects that are currently in design,” Transportation staff said, and several multi‑use path phases are expected to go to construction this summer.
Staff described the multi‑step federal process that follows a successful call for projects: MCAG programming, NEPA/environmental clearance through Caltrans, final design, right‑of‑way and utility clearances, obligation of construction funds, bidding and construction. That sequence can take months or years depending on state and federal reviews.
Staff emphasized a key program rule that affects local requests: CMAQ generally funds new sidewalk infill or new pedestrian facilities, not reconstruction of existing sidewalks. “On one of the main requirements for CMAQ for sidewalks is you cannot redo existing sidewalks. You have to do sidewalks where there's no sidewalks,” an engineering official said. Staff suggested Measure V or local funds are alternatives for replacing deteriorated sidewalks.
City staff also noted sidewalk, alley and street requests are frequent and that some projects — for example, Main Street repairs and multiuse path phases — are programmed and will appear in upcoming construction seasons if funds and clearances align.
No council action was taken at the town hall. Staff urged residents to report problem streets and to expect extended lead times for federally funded projects because of required environmental and agency reviews.
