Clear Lake council backs $16 million federal grant application for Lakeshore Drive safety project

The Clear Lake City Council voted unanimously May 21 to authorize submission of a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4) implementation grant application for the Lakeshore Drive safety enhancement project and to commit to a local match if the federal award is made.

Public-works staff told the council the grant application requests approximately $16,080,000 in federal funds for a comprehensive reconstruction of about one mile of Lakeshore Drive, and that the city would need a nonfederal local match of roughly $4,020,000 if awarded. The project area targets a critical commercial and pedestrian corridor and would fund pedestrian hybrid beacons, mid-corridor rapid flashing beacons, continuous LED corridor lighting, sidewalk infill and ADA-compliant curb ramps, bike lanes and transit stop improvements.

"Adoption of the resolution formally authorizes submission of the application, reaffirms the city's commitments as established by the local road safety plan, and commits the city to the nonfederal local match obligation," staff said during the presentation.

Council members asked staff whether the match would come from the general fund. Staff responded that not all matching funds are currently identified and that they expect to use a mix of anticipated program funds and other local sources; specific match funding sources will be finalized through subsequent council budget actions prior to executing any agreement. Staff emphasized the match commitment would become operative only if the application is awarded.

No public commenters spoke during the item. The council approved resolution 2026-15 by a unanimous vote as recorded in the meeting record.

Next steps: staff will finalize the application materials for submission and, if the grant is awarded, return to the council with proposed funding sources and an agreement for the local match.