Public Hearing Presentation - Metromedia.metro.net/projects_studies/sr_710/images/presentation_sr710...1 State Route 710 North Draft EIR/EIS Public Hearing Presentation April 11 and

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State Route 710 North Draft EIR/EIS Public Hearing Presentation

April 11 and 14, 2015; May 6 and 7, 2015

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Presentation Outline

Rules of Engagement Community Outreach Activities Background Purpose and Need Overview of Alternatives Draft EIR/EIS – Summary of Key Findings Next Steps

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Community Outreach/ Public Participation (1 of 2)

Over 300 Meetings/Briefings Conducted 180 in Northeast/East Los Angeles:

154 in the San Gabriel Valley:

Study Area Agency Coordination Meetings:

o 18 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) o 14 Stakeholder Outreach Advisory Committee (SOAC)

o Boyle Heights o Eagle Rock o East Los Angeles o El Sereno o Glassell Park o Highland Park o Lincoln Heights o Los Angeles o Mount Washington

o Arcadia o Alhambra o Azusa o Bradbury o Burbank o Duarte o El Monte o Glendale o Irwindale o La Canada Flintridge o La Crescenta o Monrovia o Monterey Park o Pasadena o Rosemead o San Gabriel o Sierra Madre o South Pasadena o Temple City

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Community Outreach/ Public Participation (2 of 2)

Briefings Held with Elected Officials Congress Members:

Adam Schiff, Xavier Becerra, Judy Chu, Janice Hahn, Lucille Roybal-Allard State Senators:

Kevin De Leon, Ed Hernandez, Carol Liu State Assembly Members:

Mike Eng, Chris Holden, Jimmy Gomez, John Perez Los Angeles Country Board of Supervisors:

Michael Antonovich, Gloria Molina, Hilda Solis Los Angeles City Council:

Jose Huizar, Gil Cedillo, Eric Garcetti, Antonio Villaraigosa Local Elected Officials:

Luis Ayala (Alhambra), John Fasana (Duarte), John Kennedy (Pasadena), Dennis Kneier (San Marino), David Lau (Monterey Park), Steve Madison (Pasadena), Barbara Messina (Alhambra), Ara Najarian (Glendale), Jacque Robinson (Pasadena), Stephen Sham (Alhambra)

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Public Noticing

Issued Joint Metro/Caltrans News Release on March 6, 2015 and;

Published notices in legal sections of several newspapers throughout Study Area: • Notice of Availability of Draft EIR/EIS

o Caltrans website, public libraries (refer to handout)

• Public Comment Period: March 6, 2015 - July 6, 2015 (120 days)

• Caltrans website for electronic submission of public comments • Caltrans Contact Information

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Supplemental Public Noticing

Announcement on SR 710 North Webpage: www.metro.net/sr710study

E-blast Joint News Release to SR 710 North Database Joint News Release Posted on Study Area City

Websites Sent Mailer to Businesses and Households Ad Placements Online and in Mainstream/Community

Newspapers

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Public Hearings

**Live webcast: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/sr-710-study

Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. – Map Viewing 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. – Public Hearing East Los Angeles College Rosco C. Ingalls Auditorium 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez, Monterey Park, 91754

Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. – Map Viewing 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. – Public Hearing Pasadena Convention Center Ballroom** 300 East Green Street, Pasadena, 91101

Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. – Map Viewing 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. – Public Hearing La Canada High School Auditorium 4463 Oak Grove Drive, La Canada, 91011

Thursday, May 7, 2015 at 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. – Map Viewing 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. – Public Hearing Los Angeles Christian Presbyterian Church Multi-Purpose Room 2241 N. Eastern Avenue, Los Angeles, 90032

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Measure R funded study initiated 4 years ago to alleviate mobility constraints in study area (east/northeast Los Angeles and western San Gabriel Valley)

5 Alternatives advanced to the Draft Environmental Impact Report/Statement (Draft EIR/EIS) for further study in 2012

Draft EIR/EIS is being circulated for public review and comment through July 6, 2015

Draft EIR/EIS does not recommend or select a Preferred Alternative

Background

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Project Study Area

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Purpose Statement

The purpose of the proposed action is to effectively and efficiently accommodate regional and local north-south travel demands in the study area of the western San Gabriel Valley and east/northeast Los Angeles, including the following considerations: • Improve the efficiency of the existing regional freeway and

transit networks; • Reduce congestion on local arterials adversely affected due to

accommodating regional traffic volumes; • Minimize environmental impacts related to mobile sources

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Project Need

Capacity, Transportation Demand, and Safety • Lack of north-south transportation facilities and overall congestion

within the region

Modal Interrelationships and System Linkages • State Route 110 and Interstate 710 terminate within the study area

without connecting to other freeways

Social Demands or Economic Development • State Route 710 is included in the SCAG 2012 RTP/SCS, FTIP and

Metro’s LRTP

Environmental Factors • Effects related to mobile sources associated with congestion

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Alternatives Studied

1) No Build 2) Transportation System Management/Transportation

Demand Management (TSM/TDM) 3) Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) with TSM/TDM 4) Light Rail Transit (LRT) with TSM/TDM 5) Freeway Tunnel with TSM/TDM:

Dual Bore Operational Variation • No Tolls • No Tolls and No trucks • With Tolls

Single Bore Operational Variation • With Tolls • With Tolls and No Trucks • With tolls and Express Bus

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No Build Alternative

Provides the baseline against which all of the build alternatives are compared

Includes planned improvements contained in the 2012 Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) through 2035

Does not include any improvements associated with Build Alternatives identified within the SR 710 North study area

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TSM/TDM Alternative Overview

ITS Improvements

Signal optimization Signal synchronization Transit signal prioritization Arterial changeable message signs Speed data collection Construction cost: $5 M

Transit Refinement

To existing bus routes Construction cost: $20 M

Local Street Improvements:

17 intersections 7 street segments 3 other improvements:

T-1: Valley Blvd to Mission Rd Connector Rd

T-2: Arroyo Seco Parkway Hook Ramps

T-3: St John Ave Extension from Del Mar Ave to California Blvd

Construction cost: $80 M

Active Transportation

Class III Bike Routes Construction cost: $0

Preliminary Cost Estimate: $105 M (2014 dollars)

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TSM/TDM Alternative

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BRT Alternative

High-speed, high-frequency service between East Los Angeles and Pasadena

12-mile corridor; 17 stops Mixed-flow and exclusive lanes

(single and both directions) 10 minutes during peak hours and 20

min during off-peak Replaces existing Route 762 Amenities included to attract riders Two Bus feeder services

• Connects to El Monte Bus station • Connects to Commerce and Montebello

Metrolink Stations

Includes elements of TSM/TDM Preliminary Cost Estimate: $241 M* (2014 dollars)

*Includes $102M for TSM/TDM improvements

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LRT Alternative

Between East Los Angeles and Pasadena

7.5 mile passenger rail line • Includes 3 miles of aerial segment and 4.5 miles

of tunnels • 3 aerial and 4 underground stations

Tunnels are expected to be constructed using pressurized face Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM)

• Two approximately 20-ft diameter tunnels • Tunnels would be advanced from south end

Design including safety elements follows Metro guidelines

Two feeder services • Connects to El Monte Bus Station • Connects to Commerce and Montebello Metrolink

stations

Includes elements of TSM/TDM Preliminary Cost Estimate: $2,420 M* (2014 dollars)

*Includes $52M for TSM/TDM improvements

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Freeway Tunnel Alternative

6.3 mile route connecting Interstates 10 and 210

• 4.2 miles of bored tunnel • 0.7 miles of cut-and-cover tunnel • 1.4 miles of at-grade segments • Approx. 60-foot tunnel diameter(s)

Single and dual bore design variations Design and safety elements based on

Caltrans and National Fire Protection Association guidelines

Ventilation structures provided near north and south portals

• No intermediate ventilation structures

Operations and Maintenance Building provided at both portals

• Will house first responders 24/7

Includes elements of TSM/TDM Preliminary Cost Estimates: Single Bore - $3,150 M* (2014 dollars) Dual Bore - $5,650 M* (2014 dollars)

*Includes $50 M for TSM/TDM elements

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Draft Environmental Documentation

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Draft EIR/EIS Contents

Chapter 1- Background, Purpose & Need Chapter 2- Alternatives Chapter 3- Affected Environment/ Environmental Consequences

Chapter 4- California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Evaluation Chapter 5- Comments and Coordination Chapter 6– List of Preparers Chapter 7- Distribution List

VOLUME II: APPENDICES

VOLUME I:

(Supporting list of technical studies, charts, figures, tables, etc)

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EIR/EIS Environmental Topics

Land use Growth Community Impacts

• Community Character/Cohesion • Relocations • Environmental Justice

Utilities/Emergency Services Traffic/Transportation Visual/Aesthetics Cultural/Historical Resources Hydrology/Floodplains Water Quality Geology/Soils Paleontological Resources Hazardous Waste

Air Quality Noise and Vibration Energy Biological Resources

• Natural Communities • Wetlands and Waters • Plant Species • Animal Species • Threatened & Endangered Species • Invasive Species

Construction Impacts Cumulative Impacts Health Risk Assessment Climate Change

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Land Use, Growth & Community Impacts

General- None of the Build Alternatives are consistent with all

policies, objectives or programs of various General Plans None of the Build Alternatives are expected to result in

unplanned growth Except for LRT, there are no adverse impacts to

community character and cohesion There are no disproportionate impacts on Environmental

Justice populations Except for BRT, there are no Section 4(f) Impacts (parks,

recreation areas, resources listed on or eligible for the National Register)

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Community Impacts

Relocations, Acquisitions & Economic Impacts- LRT results in the greatest number of full property

acquisitions, business relocations and employee displacements – Approximately 58, 74 and 675, respectively

LRT results in the greatest number of temporary parking losses during construction- Approximately 240

LRT results in the greatest number of future operations and maintenance (O&M) jobs – Approximately 1,300 over 20 year life of facility

Freeway Tunnels results in the greatest number underground easements - Approximately 324 and 563 parcels respectively for single and dual bore, respectively

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Property Acquisitions/Relocations

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

TSM/TDM BRT LRT FWY (single) FWY (dual)

Busin

ess

Acqu

isitio

ns

Buisness Acquisitions

PartialAcquistions

FullAcquistions

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Community Impacts

Economic Impacts - LRT results in the highest future O&M employment

earnings – Approximately $45 Million over life of facility LRT results in the highest annual property tax and sales

tax revenue losses - Approximately $51,000 and $75,000, respectively

Freeway Tunnel (Dual Bore) results in the greatest number of future construction jobs - Approximately 72,000 (over construction period)

Freeway Tunnel (Dual Bore) results in the highest future construction employment earnings - Approximately $3.5 Billion (over construction period)

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Employment/Fiscal Impacts

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Employment/Fiscal Impacts

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Traffic Analysis Findings – Freeways and Intersections

Regional (6 counties) EIR/EIS Study Area Northeast LA County

Freeway Network Over 600 segments Beyond EIR/EIS study area

Intersection 156 high-volume locations Focused on alternative

footprints and affected areas

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Traffic Analysis Findings

When compared to No Build in 2035, all Build Alternatives: Reduce traffic within study area and region, and on

local streets by varying degrees depending on the alternative

Increase vehicle miles travelled within study area Decrease vehicles hours travelled within study area Reduce local street traffic volumes in N/S directions

within the study area Reduce cut-through traffic within the study area Increase transit ridership within the study area

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Traffic Summary Table

New Transit Ridership (change in daily linked trips) in 2035

TSM/ TDM BRT LRT Freeway Tunnel

Single-bore Dual-bore 11,250

13,500* 15,350* 10,100* 9,700*

*Includes ridership from enhanced bus service as part of TSM/TDM Improvements

Average Daily Traffic Volumes Freeway Tunnel in 2035 (Vehicles/day)

Single-Bore Freeway Tunnel Dual-Bore Freeway Tunnel

With Toll Variation With Toll, No Trucks Variation

With Toll, Express

Bus Variation

No Toll Variation

No Toll, No Trucks

Variation

With Toll Variation

89,900 93,300 92,400 180,000 180,000 169,400

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Visual, Cultural and Noise

General All Build Alternatives report varying degrees of

visual impacts There are no adverse effects on historic properties

All Build Alternatives report noise levels approaching or exceeding noise abatement criteria at varying degrees during and post construction activities

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Air Quality

Regarding Air Quality Conformity- Freeway Tunnel (toll variation) is consistent with

2012 Regional Transportation Plan and 2015 Federal Transportation Improvement Plan

TSM/TDM, BRT and LRT Alternatives are not considered projects of air quality concern

Additional analysis for conformity would be required if Freeway Tunnel is identified as the Preferred Alternative

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Air Quality Criteria Pollutants – 2035

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

2012Existing

No Build(2035)

TSM/TDM BRT LRT FWY(single)

with Tolls

FWY(single)

with Tollsand NoTrucks

FWY(single)

with Tollsand

ExpressBus

FWY(dual) No

Tolls

FWY(dual) NoTrucks

FWY(dual) With

Tolls

Proj

ect S

tudy

Are

a (lb

s/da

y)

2035 Horizon Year

CO

ROG

Nox

PM10

PM2.5

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Construction Impacts

Temporary lane restrictions, road and ramp closures, and detours

Emergency service travel delays Groundwater dewatering during construction (LRT

and Freeway Tunnel) Temporary air quality, noise and ground-borne

vibration impacts associated with construction Encountering hazardous materials Hauling excavated materials from tunnel boring using

freeways and/or rail • LRT station excavation would use local streets

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Health Risk Assessment

Existing conditions: • Cancer risk estimated about 100 in a million near most highways/principal arterials • Cancer risk estimated over 250 in a million near I-210 (east of SR 710) and I-5

Decrease of cancer risk in the study area for all alternatives compared to existing conditions

• Reduction in cancer risks within the study area on local arterials • Higher reduction adjacent to freeways compared to existing conditions • Decrease attributed to stringent emission standards, cleaner fleets, improved fuel

efficiency, shifting of traffic for each of the build alternatives, etc.

Locations with greater existing VMT will have greater cancer risk reduction in the future

The overall regional reduction of cancer risks considers emissions from the ventilation structure

• Particulate matter emissions are substantially reduced by scrubbing and dispersion

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CEQA Conclusions

Unavoidable Significant Environmental Effects: Paleontological resources Inconsistency with local plans Impacts to Study Area intersections/freeway

segments Views of LRT from two locations Cumulative impacts

Visual (LRT Alternative Only)

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CEQA/NEPA Process

Comments on Draft EIR/EIS will be accepted during public review period Written comments Verbal comments from public hearing Comments should address substantive concerns

on the technical analysis provided in the EIR/EIS

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Next Steps

Conduct Public Hearings Review and Respond to Public Comments Develop/Prepare Supporting Data to Identify the

Preferred Alternative (PA) Request Metro Board Concurrence on

Recommended PA Finalize Environmental Document and Secure

Record of Decision

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Learn the Facts, Get Involved, Be a Part of the Solution

Visit the Caltrans website to review the Draft EIR/EIS: http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist07/resources/envdocs/docs/710study/draft_eir-eis and Visit Metro’s website for library listings to access the Draft EIR/EIS, and to get updates:

http://www.metro.net/sr710study