BAC hears updates on SS4A grants, Fort Valley scoping award and Mount Eldon trail funding

City staff and partner representatives updated the Bicycle Advisory Committee on multiple active‑transportation projects, federal grant awards and near‑term outreach events.

Chris, a city staff member, said the Fort Valley Road multimodal scoping award is about $600,000 with a city match of roughly $50,000. The scoping work will cover sidewalk infill between Navajo Drive and the Seacrest Elementary area, design of enhanced crossings at key locations, and evaluation of bike shoulders along the corridor. “On the scale of $600,000, and the city has to match approximately slightly less than $50,000,” Chris said.

Elaine (partner agency representative) reported that the Coconino National Forest received a Transportation Alternatives award to advance design of the Mount Eldon Lookout Road to U.S. 89 trail. The awarded design amount is $485,006.45, she said; the project will include trail design and connections that would link the new Mount Eldon trail to the city’s North 89 FUTS segments and other local connectors.

On Butler Avenue, staff said the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A)‑funded project has a design consultant (WSP) under contract. The work was split into two phases: phase 1 to secure environmental clearances and produce 30% design (target completion by March), and phase 2 to take the project to final design. Staff said they expect to finalize the phase‑1 contract and move toward 30% design early next year.

Staff summarized other project updates: Route 66 pavement preservation is underway with opportunities to add shoulders and multimodal improvements in sections where shoulders are missing; Casper‑Lynch improvements (sidewalks, consistent bike lanes and a FUTS ramp) are complete; Cedar Avenue resurfacing this fall will add buffered bike lanes and refreshed green markings at crossings; and the Schweitzer Canyon and Push Trail projects are under construction or will resume in spring.

Staff briefed the committee on citywide work as well: the Safe Streets master‑plan procurement is nearly complete, with staff aiming to award a contract in November and begin work in December on a roughly 2.5‑year technical effort; the micro‑mobility scope will be presented to city council on Oct. 7 with a request to proceed to procurement if the council approves; and the Bicycle Friendly Community survey remains open through Oct. 5, with staff to report back when the League of American Bicyclists returns its assessment.

Committee members and staff also discussed Route 66 segments under ADOT control and whether the city can convert sidewalk segments to FUTS where appropriate. Staff said the city has offered to contribute funding in places to improve pedestrian and trail outcomes and will continue discussions with ADOT on scope and feasibility.

Several members praised recent quick-turn improvements and encouraged staff to keep seeking similar “faster, lighter, cheaper” opportunities when resurfacing or redevelopment offers a chance to add multimodal infrastructure.

No formal votes were recorded on the project updates themselves. Staff said they will return with design milestones and funding updates as projects advance.