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HomeMy WebLinkAbout- - I-405 Improvement Project Draft Environm - 6/19/2012CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: JUNE 19, 2012 ITEM NUMBER: SUBJECT: 1-405 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORTIENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIRIEIS) DATE: JUNE 7, 2012 FROM: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICES - TRANSPORTATION SERVICES DIVISION PRESENTATION BY: RAJA SETHURAMAN, MANAGER, TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION RAJA SETHURAMAN, MANAGER, TRANSPORTATION SERVICES CONTACT: DIVISION, (714) 754-5343 RECOMMENDATION: Approve resolution (Attachment 1) conveying City's opposition to Alternative 3 and support for Alternatives 1 and 2 in the San Diego f=reeway (1-405) Improvement Project EIRIEIS. BACKGROUND: Approximateiy six years ago, the City, in cooperation with OCTA and Caltrans, completed two major freeway widening projects: the 1-405/SR-55 Transitway Project and 1-405/SR-73 Confluence Project. These projects resulted in the construction of new freeway onramps and offramps, reconfiguration of ramps, and the widening of the freeway within Costa Mesa City limits to the ultimate configuration as called for by the various agencies. The City of Costa Mesa also undertook improvements at the Fairview Road/1-405 and Harbor Boulevard/1-405 Interchanges to meet City and regional transportation needs. Over the past several years, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), in association with the State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the cities adjacent to the 1-405 Corridor between the SR -73 and 1-605 Freeways, has been working on the 1-405 Improvement Project. The goal of the project is to analyze a series of alternatives to improve the capacity in this portion of the freeway. The City of Costa Mesa participated in the project development with representation in the Policy Advisory Committee by Mayor Monahan and prior Mayor Mansoor, and in the Technical Advisory Committee by the Transportation Services Manager. Mayor Pro Tem Righeimer was appointed to the Policy Advisory Committee in early 2011. The 1-405 Improvement Project has progressed from the Major Investment Study (MIS) phase to Project Report/Environmental Documentation phase. At the conclusion of the MIS phase, the OCTA Board of Directors recommended alternatives for further study, which generally consisted of a one -lane or two- lane addition to the 1-405 Freeway from north of the Santa Ana River to the 1-605 Freeway. The alternatives, depicted in Attachment 2, included: • Alternative 1 — Add one lane in each direction to the 1405 f=reeway between Euclid Street and the 1-605 Freeway; and • Alternative 2 — Add two lanes in each direction to the 1-405 Freeway between Euclid Street and the 1-605 Freeway. Until this point in the study, neither alternative proposed that the freeway be widened within the Costa Mesa City limits given that prior projects implemented by OCTA and the City had already completed the necessary ultimate widening of the freeway at this location. However, in January 2009, the OCTA Board approved nrl additional alternative for study involving express lanes between the SR -73 and 1-605 Freeways: • Alternative 3 calls for the addition of one lane in each direction on the 1-405 Freeway between Euclid Street and the 1-605 Freeway, and the addition of a High Occupancy Toll (HOT)/Express lane on the 1-405 Freeway between the SR -73 and 1-605 Freeways. This will result in a conversion of the existing High Occupancy Vehicle- (HOV) lane to a toll express lane and the addition of a second express lane. In addition, the alternative includes a direct HOV lane to express lane connectors between the SR -73 and 1-405 Freeways. The project with either Alternative 1 or 2 was originally estimated to cost approximately $600 million. This estimate was later revised to approximately $1.3 billion ` and $1.4 billion for Alternatives 1 and 2, respectively, due to the need for reconstruction of several interchanges and bridges along the 1-405 Freeway north of the Santa Ana River. In order to finance this higher than estimated cost, the consideration of HOT/Express Lanes was included as an additional alternative (Alternative 3). The cost estimate for Alternative 3 is approximately $1.7 billion. This new alternative was primarily added to address potential funding issues for the implementation of the entire project. On April 25, 2011, OCTA staff presented a financial analysis report to their Board of Directors. Based on that report, Alternatives 1 and 2 have potential funding deficiencies of approximately $700 million and $800 million, respectively. Based on updated revenue estimates from the HOT/Express Lanes for Alternative 3, it is forecasted that there is a potential deficit of $600 million for implementation of this alternative. The three alternatives were presented to the City Council at the April 12, 2011 and May 8, 2012 Study Sessions, at the May 17, 2011 and November 1, 2011 regular City Council Meetings, and to the Planning Commission at the January 9, 2012 meeting. Staff also presented the input provided by the community on the Project Alternative 3 through lettersle-mails and petitions to the City Council and per their direction forwarded them to OCTA. The final presentation made by OCTA at the May 8, 2012 City Council Study Session is included in Attachment 3. On May 18, 2012, the State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), as the lead agency, released the draft Environmental Impact ReportlEnvironmental Impact Statement (EIRIEIS) for public review and comment. The 45 -day review period closes on July 2, 2012. Several public hearings are proposed for the project along various cities in the corridor. The first public hearing was held in Costa Mesa on June 4, 2012. The 1-405 Improvement Project was presented to the Costa Mesa Planning Commission on June 11, 2012. Staff will present any recommendations provided by the Planning Commission for City Council consideration at the June 19, 2012 regular meeting. ANALYSIS; The proposed improvement alternatives originally approved by the OCTA Board in February 2006 considered the potential right-of-way impact of widening, and limited the alternatives to those that would add one or two lanes in each direction generally within the existing freeway right-of-way north of the Santa Ana River. The initial plans for this project, therefore, did not include any widening or impacts in Costa Mesa. However, the proposed new alternative (Alternative 3) to add express lanes between the SR -73 and 1-605 Freeways, and a direct connector between the SR -73 and 1-405 Freeways, will require widening within the Costa Mesa City limits. 2 Alternative 3, which is the HOT/Express Lane Alternative, will result in the widening of the freeway, thereby bringing the new lanes closer to the neighborhoods within the Costa Mesa section and will also create significant potential aesthetic impacts due to new direct connector ramps between the 1-405 and SIR -73 Freeways. In addition, the Fairview Road Bridge over the 1405 Freeway and the southbound- Harbor Boulevard loop onramp to the southbound 1-405 Freeway will need to be demolished and reconstructed to accommodate the proposed new HOT/Express Lanes. Within the Costa Mesa City limits, Alternative 3 will result in the conversion of an existing free HOV lane to a HOT/Express lane. However, there will be no addition of mixed flow lanes in either direction. North of the Santa Ana River, the HOT/Express Lane alternative adds one mixed flow and one express lane in each direction and. converts the existing HOV lane to a HOT/Express lane. While Alternative 3 may improve the flow of traffic in express lanes, projected traffic conditions for a majority of the motorists traveling on the mixed flow lanes are expected to improve with the implementation of Alternative 2. This is because Alternative 2 adds two mixed flow lanes in each direction that will benefit a majority of motorists traveling on those lanes. Within the Costa Mesa City limits, there is no change to the number of mixed flow lanes under any of the Alternatives. Alternative 3 will result in the conversion of the current free carpool lanes to express lanes. Further, access to these express lanes will be limited, with the only Costa Mesa's access being at the SR -73 Freeway. There will not be access to the express lanes for motorists entering and exiting the 1405 Freeway at Fairview Road and Harbor Boulevard. The entry point for these motorists is proposed at the Magnolia Street/Warner Avenue interchange in Fountain Valley. Therefore, for the major gateways to the City at Harbor Boulevard and Fairview Road, there is limited to no benefit with the improvements proposed by Alternative 3. Construction of Alternative 3 of the 1405 Improvement Project is anticipated to take approximately 48 to 54 months. The City of Costa Mesa residents.have endured approximately 10 years of construction due to various projects on the 1-405 including the SR -5511-405 Transitway project, 14051SR-73 Confluence Project, Susan Street Offramp, 1-405/Fairview Road Interchange, and the Harbor Boulevardl1-405 Improvement Project. The proposed Alternative 3 will result in significant impacts that would exceed those experienced by all of the previous projects. This is due to the need for the demolition and reconstruction of the Fairview Road Bridge and the Harbor Boulevard southbound loop onramp. The duration of construction and the anticipated impacts are not identified in the draft EIR/EIS as it is deferred to the final design phase. However, based on input provided by OCTA staff at the May City Council Study Session, the impacts to the residents will last over several years. This is of significant concern to the residents and visitors to Costa Mesa. The attached resolution documents the above City concerns with the proposed Alternative 3 and conveys the City's opposition to Alternative 3 and the support for Alternatives 1 and 2. Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement The draft EIRIE[S for the 1-405 Improvement Project was released for public review and comment on May 18, 2012. The 45 -day review period closes on July 2, 2012. The notification of the EIRIEIS availability and the public hearings is included in Attachment 3. The first public hearing on the draft EIRIEIS was held on .tune 4, 2012, in Costa Mesa. It was attended by approximately 150 residents and members from the City Council, Planning Commission, and the Parks and Recreation Commission. Many residents expressed their opposition to Alternative 3 due to construction impacts and the lack of benefits to Costa Mesa residents. Staff is currently reviewing the document and will have final comments to Caltrans prior to the close of the comment period. The City's response will include any input received from the Planning Commission and the resolution as approved by the City Council. ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED: No alternatives other than those proposed as part of this project are presented. FISCAL REVIEW: There is no fiscal impact to the City with this item. LEGAL REVIEW: The City Attorney's office reviewed the attached resolution and approved it as to form. CONCLUSION: OCTA has initiated the Project Report/Environmental Documentation phase of the 1-405 Improvement Project. The OCTA Board initially approved consideration of a one -lane or two- lane addition to the Freeway north of the Santa Ana River in February 2006. However, subsequently an additional alternative (Alternative 3) was added to the study. This alternative includes the addition of HOT/Express Lanes on the 1-405 Freeway between the SR -73 and 1- 605 Freeways. The addition of HOT/Express Lanes will result in the widening of the 1-405 Freeway within Costa Mesa City limits and the construction of a new freeway to freeway connector between the SR -73 and 1-405 Freeways. While the widening will be within Caltrans' right-of-way, the resultant freeway widening will result in mainline lanes pushed outward closer to residential development on both sides of the Freeway. The project requires total reconstruction of the Fairview Road Bridge over the 1-405 Freeway and the southbound Harbor Boulevard loop onramp to the 1-405 Freeway, as well as the need for a temporary closure of several on- and off -ramps to the 1-405 Freeway from Harbor Boulevard and Fairview Road. The construction of Alternative 3, therefore, will create significant traffic impacts due to traffic detours and construction activity over the proposed construction period of 48 to 54 months. Based on traffic analyses submitted to date, the proposed improvements with Alternative 3 do not significantly benefit the City, and the potential widening of the freeway creates major impacts to the community. The area residents have submitted many letters and petitions opposing further consideration of Alternative 3 within the City limits. The draft EIR/EIS for the project is released by Caltrans for public review and comment, with the comment period ending on July 2, 2012. Staff will provide technical comments prior to the deadline along with any input from the Planning Commission, and the City Council resolution conveying opposition to Alternative 3 and support for Alternatives 1 and 2. RAJA SETHURAMAN Manager, Transportation Services ERNE7MU-NOZ Public Services Director ATTACHMENTS: 1 —Resolution 2 --1-405 Freeway Improvement Alternatives 3 — OCTA Presentation to City Council Study Session of May 8, 2012 4 —1-405 Improvement Project Public Hearing Notice DISTRIBUTION: Chief Executive Officer Assistant Chief Executive Officer City Attorney Deputy CEO/Economic and Development Services Director City Clerk Division 5 ATTACHMENT 1 RESOLUTION NO. 12- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING ALTERNATIVES 1 AND 2 AND OPPOSING ALTERNATIVE 3 1N THE SAN DIEGO FREEWAY (1-405) IMPROVEMENT PROJECT DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORTIENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIRIEIS). THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA HEREBY DETERMINES AND RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: WHEREAS, the City of Costa Mesa in cooperation with the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and the State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) implemented regional improvements and freeway widening within the City of Costa Mesa limits to meet existing and future transportation needs at a cost of over $100 million between SR -55 Freeway and Santa Ana River; and WHEREAS, OCTA was the lead agency in the preparation of Major Investment Study (MIS) for the 1-405 Freeway improvements between SR -73 Freeway and 1-605 Freeway that resulted in recommendation of Alternatives 1 and 2, adding either one lane or two lanes in each direction to the 1-405 Freeway between Euclid Street and I- 405 Freeway, as locally preferred alternatives; and WHEREAS, in January 2009 a new Alternative 3 was added to the 1-405 Improvement Project during the Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIRIEIS) phase of the 1-405 Improvement Project that extends the project widening and construction to SR -73 Freeway; and WHEREAS, Alternative 3 includes construction of a new express lane connector between the SR -73 and 1-405 Freeways and addition of two express lanes within the City of Costa Mesa limits; and A WHEREAS, Alternative 3 requires the complete demolition and reconstruction of the Fairview Roadl1-405 Interchange that was upgraded by the City of Costa Mesa three years ago at a cost of approximately $7 million, and the removal and reconstruction of southbound Harbor Boulevard to southbound 1-405 Freeway onramp; and WHEREAS, the City of Costa Mesa residents have endured several years of construction with the SR -5511-405 Transitway and 1-4051SR-73 Confluence projects; and WHEREAS, Alternative 3 will widen the freeway footprint within the City of Costa Mesa limits impacting adjacent residential neighborhoods during construction as well as post -construction; and WHEREAS, Alternative 3 will result in conversion of existing free High Occupancy Vehicle lane to a toll facility; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City Council of the City of Costa Mesa affirms its opposition to Alternative 3 in the 1-405 Improvement Project Draft EIRIEIS; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City of Costa Mesa supports Alternatives 1 and 2 in the 1-405 Improvement Project Draft EIRIEIS. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 19th day of June, 2012. ATTEST: Eric Bever, Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: Brenda Green, Interim City Clerk Thomas P. Duarte, City Attorney STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss CITY OF COSTA MESA ) 1, BRENDA GREEN, Interim City Clerk of the City of Costa Mesa, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the above and foregoing is the original of Resolution No. 12-- and was duly passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Costa Mesa at a regular meeting held on the 19th day of June, 2012, by the following roll call vote, to wit: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereby set my hand and affixed the seal of the City of Costa Mesa this -th day of June, 2012. 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Public hearings will be held from 6 to 8 p.m, with a formal presentation beginning at 6:30 p.m. Additionally, informational boards will be available for public viewing and project representatives will be available to answer your questions. I You may stop by at any time to provide comments. We want to hear from you! The 1-405 Improvement Project project Draft FIR/EIS is anticipated to be released on May 18 and available for public f review and comment through July 2. The document is available at local libraries and on Caltrans' website at the following address: www.dot.co.govldistl2l4O5index.htm Once the environmental document is released, comments may be submitted by mail to Smita Deshpande, Caltrans District 12 at 2201 Dupont Drive, Suite 20D, Irvine CA, 92612 or by e-mail at:405.dedcomments,parsons@parsons.com f Monday, June 4, 2012 Orange Coast College Student Center 2701 Fairview Rd., Costa Mesa Wednesday, June 6, 2012 Westminster Community Center 8200 Westminster Blvd,, Westminster! Thursday, June 7, 2012 Rush Park Auditorium 3021 Blume Dr., Rossmoor I Thursday, June 14, 2012 Fountain Valley Senior Center 17967 Bushard5t., Fountain Valley For more information please contact: Christina Byrne (714) 560.5717 cbyrne@octa.net wwwocta.neV4051m provemen t Like the 1-405 Improvement Project on Facebookl www.facebook.com/4051 m p rove me nt 1 r