Fiscal Year 2027 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) Funds Proposed Project List, Authorize Six Slurry Seal Contracts for Slurry Seal Groups 272
1 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026060749
Public Agency
City of San Diego
Document Title
Fiscal Year 2027 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) Funds Proposed Project List, Authorize Six Slurry Seal Contracts for Slurry Seal Groups 272
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/16/2026
Document Description
The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, which established the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA), was signed into law by the Govermor on April 28, 2017 as a means to address basic road maintenance, rehabilitation, and critical safety needs on both the state highway and local streets and road systems. Per State and Highway Code (SHC) Section 2030(?), RMRA funds shall be prioritized for expenditure on basic road maintenance and rehabilitation projects, and on critical safety projects. SHC Section 2030(b)(1) provides a number of example projects and uses for RMRA funding that include, but are not limited to, the following: Road maintenance and rehabilitation Safety projects Railroad Grade Separations Complete Street components (including active transportation elements, pedestrian and safety projects, transit facilitles, and drainage and stormwater capture projects in conjunction with any other allowable project) Traffic control devices SHC Section 2030(b)(2) states that funds made available by the program may also be used to satisfy a match requirement to obtain state or federal funds for projects authorized by this subdivision. Pursuant to SHC Section 2037, a City or County may spend an apportionment of RMRA funds on transportation priorities other than those outlined in SHC Section 2030 if the City's or County's average Pavement Condition Index (PCI) meets or exceeds 80. The Clty of San Diego does not qualify to spend RMRA funds on other transportation priorities as the average PCI on the last pavement condition assessment completed in 2023 was a 63. RMRA has become a critical funding source for the City's Street Maintenance Program over the past few years and will help the City continue to maintain pavement conditions. This consistent funding stream has supported regular preventative maintenance that keeps treated roads from becoming more dangerous and much more expensive to repair. The RMRA program requires approval of a project list by the recipient's governing body via Resolution, which is due to the California Transportation Commission by July 1, 2026. The project list includes streets planned for maintenance and repair in all nine (9) Council Districts. See Exhibit A for specific locations. This year's FY27 RMRA project list primarily includes six slurry seal and cape seal projects, with additional projects identified for funding through prior-year RMRA fund balance. The City of San Diego's street network includes over 6,600 lane miles of streets and alleys. To replace and maintain the pavement surfaces on asphalt streets, the City's Street Resurfacing Program funds asphalt overlays, slurry, and cape seal treatments. The application of a slurry or cape seal can protect and preserve the street pavement for approximately three to eight (3-8) years. The Street Maintenance Program plans to cape seal or slurry seal approximately 276 lane miles of streets with this year's FY27 RMRA funding. The inclusion of other treatments now allows for selection of streets that have pavement distresses that cannot be addressed by stand-alone slurry seal treatments. Slurry seal is an asphalt street surface treatment which consists of sand, emulsion, and water applied as a thin layer up to 3/8-inch thick. Slurry seal is used on streets which are generally in good condition to protect them from deterioration. Minor surface repairs are completed by the pavement specialists prior to the application of the slurry or cape seal. Additionally, any failed areas of the pavement are removed and repaired prior to a seal application. A cape seal is an application that includes the use of broons to guide asphalt emulsion into pavement distresses to ensure sealing of the road. This is then followed by the placement of crushed rock, then one or two layers of slurry seal treatment for a smooth surface. The use of this type of treatment can help address minor cracks, including low severity alligator cracking, and can be used when a stand-alone slurry seal does not adequately address the distresses found on the roadway. These slurry seal and cape seal treatments will also include the installation of high-visibility crosswalk striping after the application of cape seal, scrub seal, or slurry seal to improve pedestrian crossings. Slurry seal and cape seal projects may also include the implementation of bicycle network improvements including bicycle facilities, bicycle striping, and safety improvements. In Fiscal Year 2027, an estimated 48 lane miles of bike facilities are planned to be implemented. Surface Seal Group 2721 involves planning, design, contract administration, construction and related project administration for the application of a slurry seal or cape seal on approximately 55.5 lañe miles of streets in Council Districts 6 and 9. The proposed slurry seal activities will occur in the College Area, Mid-City: City Heights, Mid-City: Eastern Area, Mid-City: Kensington-Talmadge, Mid-City: Normal Heights, Mira Mesa, Rancho Encantada, Southeastern San Diego and University Community Planning Areas. Surface Seal Group 2722 involves planning, design, contract administration, construction and related project administration for the application of a slurry seal or cape seal on approximately 55.5 lane miles of streets in Council Districts 3 and 7. The proposed slurry seal activities will occur in the Encanto Neighborhoods, Mid-City: Eastern Area, Otay Mesa, Otay Mesa-Nestor, San Ysidro, Skyline-Paradise Hills and Southeastern San Diego Community Planning Areas. Surface Seal Group 2723 involves planning, design, contract administration, construction and related project administration for the application of a slurry seal or cape seal on approximately 48.2 lane miles of streets in Council Districts 4, and 8. The proposed slurry seal activities will occur in the Encanto Neighborhoods, Mid-City: Eastern Area, Otay Mesa, Otay Mesa-Nestor, San Ysidro, Skyline-Paradise Hills and Southeastern San Diego Community Planning Areas. Surface Seal Group 2724 involves planning, design, contract administration, construction and related project administration for the application of a slurry seal or cape seal on approximately 34.9 lane miles of streets in Council District 1. The proposed slurry seal activities will occur in the Carmel Valley, La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Pacific Highlands Ranch, Torrey Pines and University Community Planning Areas. Surface Seal Group 2725 involves planning, design, contract administration, construction and related project administration for the application of a slurry seal or cape seal on approximately 44.4 lane miles of streets in Council Districts 2,3 and 7. The proposed slurry seal activitles will occur in the Centre City, Clairemont Mesa, Greater Golden Hill, Linda Vista, Ocean Beach and Peninsula Community Planning Areas. Surface Seal Group S2726 involves planning, design, contract administration, construction and related project administration for the application of a slurry seal or cape seal on approximately 37 lane miles of streets in Council District 5. The proposed slurry seal activities will occur in the Miramar Ranch North, Rancho Bermardo, Rancho Penasquitos, San Pasqual, Scripps Miramar Ranch and Torrey Highlands Community Planning Areas. In addition to slurry seal and cape seal projects, the FY27 RMRA project list includes two AC overlay projects (AC2524 and B24078), the Speed Management Plan Implementation, and the FY27 Pavement Condition Assessment. These projects are funded using approximately $8.7 million in prior-year RMRA fund balance derived from cost savings on completed projects. These projects are included in the RMRA project list to comply with State reporting requirements, which require all RMRA-funded projects to be identified and approved by the governing body. However, these projects are not being bundled with the slurry seal program for delivery and will proceed independently. The AC overlay projects are managed by the Engineering and Capital Projects Department and will return to City Council for separate approval through the standard project approval and construction contract award process. The Asphalt Overlay Group 2524 Involves planning, design, contract administration, construction and related project administration for the repair of approximately 5.9 lane miles of streets in Council District 4. The project includes removing 2"-3" of deteriorated asphalt and replacing it with a fresh new asphalt surface. ADA improvements are made to curb ramps, sidewalks, and driveways. Damaged cross gutters, alley aprons, and curb & gutters are also replaced. The proposed overlay group activities will occur in the Skyline-Paradise Hills Community Planning Area. The Speed Management Plan was approved by City Council on March 16, 2026, and establishes a citywide approach to reducing posted speed limits on eligible corridors in accordance with State law. Implementation of the Speed Management Plan will be carried out using City Forces and is included in this action to authorize implementation and associated expenditures. This approach allows for efficient, citywide deployment and coordination with existing operations. The Speed Management Plan implementation program funds the citywide reduction of posted speed limits, including engineering evaluation, speed zone development, and installation of approximately 3,000 regulatory signs. The program also includes signage enhancements and targeted traffic calming measures to support compliance with lower speeds. As a safety focused improvement to the existing roadway system, the project reduces vehicle speeds, which is a key factor in collision severity, and improves safety for all users. This work is consistent with RMRA eligibility for roadway safety improvements that enhance and preserve the functionality of the City's street network. The proposed program activities will occur Citywide throughout all Community Planning Areas. The FY27 Pavement Condition Assessment will update the City's pavement condition data and support ongoing implementation of the Pavement Management Plan. Pavement condition assessments are conducted on a regular cycle to ensure data remains accurate and reflective of field conditions. The most recent assessment was completed in 2023 and serves as the baseline for the Pavement Management Plan and subsequent annual updates. In alignment with this cycle, the next assessment will begin in FY27. The assessment will update Pavement Condition Index (PCI) values across the City's street network and will be used to recalibrate pavement performance trends, funding scenarios, equity metrics, and street selection criteria in future updates. This effort is eligible for RMRA funding as it directly supports the planning, prloritization, and preservation of the City's roadway system by informing maintenance and rehabilitation strategies. All work would occur within the public right-of-way (paved streets) or prevlously disturbed nonsensitive areas only. Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) to prevent nonstormwater discharges from entering the City's stormwater conveyance system, as well as Traffic Control Plans (TCPs), will be implemented throughout construction.
Contact Information
Name
Joshua Lahmann
Agency Name
City of San Diego
Job Title
Senior Civil Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Name
Vanessa Sandoval
Agency Name
City of San Diego
Job Title
Associate Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
San Diego
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Citywide
Other Location Info
The projects are located in the following Community Planning areas: City Heights, College Area, Eastern Area, Kensington-Talmadge, Navajo, Normal Heights,
Southeastern San Diego, Encanto, Otay Mesa, Otay Mesa-Nestor, San Ysidro, Skyline-Paradise Hills, Barrio Logan, Downtown, Greater Golden Hill, Greater North Park, North Park, Mission Valley, Uptown, Carmel Valley, Clairemont Mesa, La Jolla, Midway-Pacific Highway, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, Peninsula, Torrey Hills, Torrey Pines, Torrey Highlands, Kearny Mesa, Linda Vista, Mira Mesa, Serra Mesa, Tierrasanta, University, Centre City, Pacific Highlands Ranch, Black Mountain Ranch, Carmel Mountain Ranch, Miramar Ranch North, Rancho
Bernardo, Rancho Encantada, Rancho Penasquitos, San Pasqual, and Scripps Miramar Ranch in Council Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEOA Guidelines Sections 15301(c)(Existing Facilities), 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction), 15304, and 15306
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed action approving the Fiscal Year 2027 RMRA project list, the execution of six surface seal construction contracts for Surface Seal Groups 2721, 2722, 2723, 2724, 2725, and 2726, the Speed Management Plan Implementation, and the FY27 Pavement Condition Assessment Is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQ/\ Guidelines Section 15301(c} (Existing Facilities) which exempts the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, Involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use, Including
existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities (this includes road grading for the purpose of public safety), and other alterations such as the addition of bicycle facilities, including but not limited to bicycle parking, bicycle share facilities and bicycle lanes, transit improvements such as bus lanes, pedestrian crossings, street trees, and other similar alterations that do not create additional automobile lanes; Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction) which exempts the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure
replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced; Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land) which exempts minor public or private alterations. in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes; and Section 15306 (Information Collection) which exempts basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious; or major disturbance to an environmental resource. The exceptions to the exemptions listed in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 would not apply in that no cumulative Impacts were identified, no significant effects on the environment were Identified, the projects would not result in damages to an officially
designated state scenic highway, and no historical resources would be affected by the action. As to the exception for hazardous materials, the proposed projects would only Involve the repair, maintenance, and/or rehabilitation of existing City streets and would not Involve any excavation into previously undisturbed soils which would expose potentially hazardous materials. Therefore, the proposed project would not preclude the use of a CEQA exemption pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code. R"316747
County Clerk
San Diego
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. For more information, please visit LCI’s Accessibility Site.