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DraftEnvironmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report—Volume 1State Clearinghouse No. 2009031083
September 2010
Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report
CHAPTER 4—
LEAD AGENCIES—Federal Transit Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
STATE CLEARINGHOUSE NO—2009031083
TITLE OF PROPOSED ACTION—Westside Subway Extension Transit Corridor Project
ABSTRACT—The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) proposes to implement a heavy rail subway that would operate as an extension of the Metro Purple Line/Metro Red Line heavy rail subway system from its current western termini at Wilshire/Western Station and Hollywood/Highland Station to a new western terminus either in Westwood near the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital, or the City of Santa Monica. The Westside Subway Extension Transit Corridor Study Area is in western Los Angeles County and encompasses approximately 38 square miles. The Study Area is east-west oriented and includes portions of five jurisdictions: the Cities of Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, as well as portions of unincorporated Los Angeles County. The boundaries of the Study Area generally extend north to the base of the Santa Monica Mountains along Hollywood, Sunset, and San Vicente Boulevards, east to the Metro Rail stations at Hollywood/Highland and Wilshire/Western, south to Pico Boulevard, and west to the Pacific Ocean.
Alternatives under consideration include a No Build Alternative, a Transportation Systems Management (TSM) Alternative, five Build Alternatives with six options, and two minimum operable segments (MOS) as follows: No Build TSM Alternative 1—Westwood/UCLA Extension Alternative 2—Westwood/VA Hospital Extension Alternative 3—Santa Monica Extension Alternative 4—Westwood/VA Hospital Extension plus West Hollywood Extension Alternative 5—Santa Monica Extension Plus West Hollywood Extension MOS 1—Fairfax Station Interim Terminus MOS 2—Century City Interim Terminus
This report is a combined Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR), satisfying the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Draft EIS/EIR defines the alternatives under consideration and describes each alternative’s associated potential transportation and environmental impacts, operating and maintenance and capital costs, and potential funding sources. Potential areas of impact include transit; traffic; parking; land use/neighborhoods; land acquisition; displacement and relocation; equity and
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT/ ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
Westside Subway Extension
environmental justice considerations; visual quality; air quality; noise and vibration; geology, soils and seismicity; exposure to hazardous substances; water resources; biological resources; energy resources; safety and security; historic, archaeological, and paleontological resources; community facilities and parklands; construction impacts; and other CEQA determinations. Mitigation measures for the impacts of the alternatives are also identified. The information contained in this document will be used by the Metro Board of Directors to decide whether to implement the Project and to select, from among the alternatives, alignment options, and station options under consideration, a Locally Preferred Alternative for implementation.
Additional written comments and/or questions concerning this document should be directed to the following:
Mr. David Mieger Project Director Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority One Gateway Plaza, MS 99/22/5 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Phone (213) 922-3040
Mr. Raymond Sukys Office of Planning and Program Development Federal Transit Administration Region IX 201 Mission St., Suite 1650 San Francisco, CA 94105 Phone (415) 744-3133
Mr. Ray Tellis Federal Transit Administration Region IX Los Angeles Metropolitan Office 888 S. Figueroa St., Suite 1850 Los Angeles, CA 90017 Phone (213) 202-3950
Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report
CHAPTER 5—
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) have prepared this Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) to solicit agency and public comment on a proposed major transit investment in Los Angeles County, California. The Proposed Action is an extension of the existing Metro Purple Line and Metro Red Line heavy rail subway system west from its westernmost current termini at the Wilshire/Western Station and Hollywood/Highland Station toward west Los Angeles and the City of Santa Monica.
The Project results from nearly 30 years of planning and environmental review. In January 2009, Metro completed an Alternatives Analysis that evaluated transit mode and alignment alternatives in the Westside Corridor. This resulted in Metro’s selection of a heavy rail subway extension as the preferred transit mode for this corridor. The Westside Subway Extension Transit Corridor Project is included in Metro’s Long Range Transportation Plan and is part of the Regional Transportation Plan adopted by the Southern California Association of Governments, the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization, in 2008.
This Draft EIS/EIR is designed to take the decision process one step further by evaluating heavy rail subway extension alternatives in greater detail, including the following: Project alternatives—Five heavy rail subway alternatives are analyzed, representing
different project lengths and termini Station and alignment location options—Consideration whether to include certain
stations, as well as the location of stations where options exist; comparison of optional routes for connecting station locations
Other components—Other decisions to be made based on the Draft EIS/EIR, such as the location for the vehicle maintenance and storage facility
Phasing options—Two minimum operable segments (MOSs) with potential interim termini are considered to support decisions on the project segment to be built first
This Draft EIS/EIR also presents a No Build Alternative and a relatively low cost Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative.
This Draft EIS/EIR presents the results of a comprehensive analysis of these alternatives. In Chapter 1, the Draft EIS/EIR presents the Purpose and Need for a transit investment within the Westside Corridor. Chapter 2 summarizes the alternatives considered, including physical features and operating characteristics. Chapter 3 summarizes the transportation benefits and impacts of each alternative. Environmental factors, impacts, and mitigation are discussed in Chapters 4 and 5. Chapter 6 addresses each alternative’s cost and financial feasibility. Chapter 7 provides a comprehensive evaluation focused on the decisions at hand. Chapter 8 addresses public outreach. More
PREFACE
Westside Subway Extension
detailed technical documentation is available for those interested in the analysis methodology and results.
During the Draft EIS/EIR circulation period, Metro will hold public hearings in the summer of 2010 to receive oral and written testimony on the document from the general public. It is anticipated that five public hearings will be held throughout the study corridor. Metro will provide a notice of these public involvement meetings in compliance with CEQA and NEPA. A comprehensive effort to inform the public with email, mail, print, broadcast and digital media, flyers, social networking, and other means will be undertaken on a similar scale with previous rounds of meetings.
After the 45-day circulation period closes, the Metro Board will consider the adoption of a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) after considering the alternatives and evaluation results in this Draft EIS/EIR, written comments on the document, and testimony received at public hearings. The LPA project definition scope will then be submitted to FTA for approval into New Starts Preliminary Engineering (PE) phase of project development. During PE, the Project will be further refined as more detailed decisions are made within the adopted project scope. The PE phase will also include completing the NEPA and CEQA processes with a Final EIS/EIR and a Record of Decision (ROD). A Federal commitment to fund the Project would not be made until after the ROD and after the Project completes the PE design phase.
Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report i
CHAPTER 4—
TITLE PAGE, ABSTRACT, AND PREFACE
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................................................... i
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... S-1
History and Background of the Westside Subway Extension Project ......................................... S-1
Purpose and Need for Transit Improvements in the Study Area ................................................ S-3
Alternatives Before Scoping Period ............................................................................................. S-10
Alternatives Considered in this Draft EIS/EIR ........................................................................... S-13
Century City Station Options ...................................................................................................... S-27
Other Components of the Build Alternatives ............................................................................. S-31
Project Phasing ............................................................................................................................. S-32
Evaluation of the Alternatives ...................................................................................................... S-33
Transit-supportive Land Use Policies and Conditions ............................................................... S-35
Cost-effectiveness ......................................................................................................................... S-35
Project Feasibility ......................................................................................................................... S-36
Equity ............................................................................................................................................. S-36
Environmental Considerations .................................................................................................... S-36
Summary of Impacts and Benefits ............................................................................................. S-37
Summary Evaluation of Station and Alignment Options ......................................................... S-60
Project Phasing ............................................................................................................................. S-63
CHAPTER 1—PURPOSE AND NEED ...................................................................................... 1-1
1.1 Project Purpose and Need .................................................................................................... 1-1
1.2 History and Background of the Westside Subway Extension Project ............................... 1-2
1.3 Description of the Westside Subway Extension Study Area .............................................. 1-2
1.3.1 Study Area Population and Employment ............................................................... 1-4
1.3.2 Major Activity Centers and Destinations ............................................................... 1-4
1.4 Travel Markets, Transit Usage, Congestion and Mobility in the Study Area .................... 1-9
1.4.1 Travel Markets .......................................................................................................... 1-9
1.4.2 Transit Usage ......................................................................................................... 1-11
1.4.3 Congestion and Mobility ....................................................................................... 1-11
1.5 Regional Transportation Objectives in the Study Area .................................................... 1-17
CHAPTER 2—PROJECT DESCRIPTION.................................................................................. 2-1
2.1 Introduction and Overview of Alternatives Considered ..................................................... 2-1
2.2 Alternatives Screening and Selection Process .................................................................... 2-1
2.2.1 Early Scoping and Alternatives Considered in the Alternatives Analysis (October 2007 through January 2009) .................................................................... 2-2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ii Westside Subway Extension September 2010
2.2.2 Scoping Process and Refinement/Selection of Alternatives for this Draft EIS/EIR (March 2009 through October 2009) ....................................................... 2-9
2.3 No Build and Transportation Systems Management (TSM) Alternatives ....................... 2-12
2.3.1 No Build Alternative .............................................................................................. 2-13
2.3.2 TSM Alternative ..................................................................................................... 2-16
2.4 Build Alternatives ................................................................................................................ 2-18
2.4.1 Bus Network ........................................................................................................... 2-19
2.4.2 Alternative 1—Westwood/UCLA Extension ........................................................ 2-27
2.4.3 Alternative 2—Westwood/Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital Extension ................................................................................................................ 2-29
2.4.4 Alternative 3—Santa Monica Extension ............................................................... 2-29
2.4.5 Alternative 4—Westwood/VA Hospital Extension plus West Hollywood Extension ................................................................................................................ 2-32
2.4.6 Alternative 5—Santa Monica Extension plus West Hollywood Extension ......... 2-34
2.5 Stations and Segment Options ........................................................................................... 2-34
2.5.1 Option 1—Wilshire/Crenshaw Station Option .................................................... 2-39
2.5.2 Option 2—Wilshire/Fairfax Station East Option ................................................. 2-40
2.5.3 Option 3—Wilshire/La Cienega Station Option .................................................. 2-42
2.5.4 Option 4—Century City Station and Segment Options ...................................... 2-44
2.5.5 Option 5—Westwood/UCLA Station Options ..................................................... 2-50
2.5.6 Option 6—Westwood/VA Hospital Station Option ............................................. 2-52
2.6 Base Stations ....................................................................................................................... 2-54
2.6.1 HRT Stations .......................................................................................................... 2-54
2.6.2 Base Stations .......................................................................................................... 2-57
2.7 Other Components of the Build Alternatives .................................................................... 2-63
2.7.1 Traction Power Substations ................................................................................... 2-63
2.7.2 Emergency Generators .......................................................................................... 2-64
2.7.3 Mid-Tunnel Vent Shaft .......................................................................................... 2-65
2.7.4 Trackwork Options ................................................................................................. 2-66
2.7.5 Rail Operations Center .......................................................................................... 2-73
2.7.6 Maintenance Yards ................................................................................................ 2-75
2.8 Minimum Operable Segments .......................................................................................... 2-77
2.8.1 Transportation Items ............................................................................................. 2-78
2.8.2 MOS 1—Fairfax Extension .................................................................................... 2-79
2.8.3 MOS 2—Century City Extension .......................................................................... 2-79
CHAPTER 3—TRANSPORTATION ......................................................................................... 3-1
3.1 Methodology .......................................................................................................................... 3-1
3.1.1 Analytical Tools and Data Sources .......................................................................... 3-1
Table of Contents
Administrative Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report iii
3.1.2 Approach to Estimating Transportation Effects .................................................... 3-2
3.2 Affected Environment—Overview ....................................................................................... 3-2
3.3 Public Transit ........................................................................................................................ 3-3
3.3.1 Study Area Transit Network .................................................................................... 3-3
3.3.2 Station-Area Transit Service .................................................................................... 3-6
3.3.3 Conditions for Transit Operations ........................................................................ 3-10
3.3.4 Planned Transit Program Improvements ............................................................ 3-10
3.4 Streets and Highways ......................................................................................................... 3-10
3.4.1 Freeways and Arterials .......................................................................................... 3-10
3.4.2 Programmed Roadway Improvements ................................................................. 3-12
3.4.3 Daily Traffic Volumes ............................................................................................ 3-12
3.4.4 Study Intersections and Existing Levels-of-Service .............................................. 3-13
3.4.5 Parking ................................................................................................................... 3-16
3.4.6 Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities ........................................................................... 3-19
3.5 Environmental Impacts/Environmental Consequences .................................................. 3-21
3.5.1 Public Transit ......................................................................................................... 3-23
3.5.2 Streets and Highways ............................................................................................ 3-33
3.5.3 Parking ................................................................................................................... 3-38
3.5.4 Bicycle and Pedestrian Network ........................................................................... 3-44
3.5.5 CEQA Determination ............................................................................................ 3-68
3.5.6 Impacts Remaining after Mitigation .................................................................... 3-68
3.5.7 Construction Impacts ............................................................................................ 3-68
3.5.8 CEQA Determination ............................................................................................ 3-79
3.5.9 Impacts Remaining after Mitigation .................................................................... 3-79
CHAPTER 4—ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS, CONSEQUENCES, AND MITIGATION ....... 4-1
4.1 Land Use ................................................................................................................................ 4-1
4.1.1 Regulatory Setting .................................................................................................... 4-1
4.1.2 Affected Environment/Existing Conditions ........................................................... 4-2
4.1.3 Environmental Impacts/Environmental Consequences ..................................... 4-12
4.1.4 Mitigation Measures .............................................................................................. 4-16
4.1.5 California Environmental Quality Act Determination ........................................ 4-16
4.2 Socioeconomic Characteristics .......................................................................................... 4-17
4.2.1 Affected Environment/Existing Conditions ......................................................... 4-17
4.2.2 Acquisition and Displacement of Existing Uses .................................................. 4-32
4.2.3 Environmental Consequences .............................................................................. 4-43
4.2.4 Mitigation Measures .............................................................................................. 4-48
4.2.5 CEQA Determination ............................................................................................ 4-49
4.2.6 Environmental Justice Considerations ................................................................. 4-50
iv Westside Subway Extension September 2010
4.3 Visual Quality ...................................................................................................................... 4-62
4.3.1 Regulatory Setting .................................................................................................. 4-62
4.3.2 Affected Environment/Existing Conditions ......................................................... 4-63
4.3.3 Environmental Impacts/Environmental Consequences ..................................... 4-64
4.3.4 Station and Alignment Options ............................................................................ 4-80
4.3.5 Other Components of the Build Alternatives ....................................................... 4-80
4.3.6 Mitigation Measures .............................................................................................. 4-81
4.3.7 California Environmental Quality Act Determination ........................................ 4-81
4.4 Air Quality ........................................................................................................................... 4-82
4.4.1 Regulatory Setting .................................................................................................. 4-82
4.4.2 Existing Conditions/Affected Environment ......................................................... 4-85
4.4.3 Environmental Impacts/ Environmental Consequences .................................... 4-87
4.4.4 Conformity Assessment ........................................................................................ 4-95
4.4.5 Mitigation Measures .............................................................................................. 4-95
4.4.6 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Determination .......................... 4-95
4.5 Climate Change ................................................................................................................... 4-97
4.5.1 Regulatory Setting .................................................................................................. 4-97
4.5.2 Affected Environment/Existing Conditions ......................................................... 4-98
4.5.3 Environmental Impacts/Environmental Consequences ................................... 4-101
4.5.4 Mitigation Measures ............................................................................................ 4-104
4.5.5 CEQA Determination .......................................................................................... 4-104
4.6 Noise and Vibration .......................................................................................................... 4-102
4.6.1 Background and Methodology ............................................................................ 4-102
4.6.2 Affected Environment/Existing Conditions ....................................................... 4-107
4.6.3 Environmental Impacts/Environmental Consequences ................................... 4-112
4.6.4 Mitigation Measures for Project Operations Noise ........................................... 4-127
4.6.5 Mitigation Measures for Project Operations Vibration ..................................... 4-127
4.6.6 California Environmental Quality Act Determination ...................................... 4-130
4.7 Energy ................................................................................................................................ 4-136
4.7.1 Regulatory Setting ................................................................................................ 4-136
4.7.2 Existing Conditions/Affected Environment ....................................................... 4-137
4.7.3 Environmental Impacts/Environmental Consequences ................................... 4-138
4.7.4 Mitigation Measures ............................................................................................ 4-142
4.7.5 California Environmental Quality Act Determination ...................................... 4-142
4.8 Geologic Hazards .............................................................................................................. 4-143
4.8.1 Regulatory Setting ................................................................................................ 4-143
4.8.2 Oil Wells ............................................................................................................... 4-158
4.8.3 Impacts ................................................................................................................. 4-161
4.8.4 Mitigation Measures ............................................................................................ 4-164
Table of Contents
Administrative Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report v
4.8.5 CEQA Determination .......................................................................................... 4-167
4.8.6 All Build Alternatives ........................................................................................... 4-167
4.8.7 Impacts Remaining After Mitigation ................................................................. 4-167
4.9 Hazardous Waste and Materials ...................................................................................... 4-168
4.9.1 Regulatory Setting ................................................................................................ 4-168
4.9.2 Existing Conditions/Affected Environment ....................................................... 4-169
4.9.3 Environmental Impacts/Environmental Consequences ................................... 4-174
4.9.4 Mitigation Measures ............................................................................................ 4-177
4.9.5 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Determination ........................ 4-177
4.10 Ecosystems/Biological Resources .................................................................................... 4-179
4.10.1 Regulatory Setting ................................................................................................ 4-179
4.10.2 Affected Environment/Existing Conditions ....................................................... 4-180
4.10.3 Environmental Impacts/Environmental Consequences ................................... 4-183
4.10.4 Mitigation Measures ............................................................................................ 4-183
4.10.5 California Environmental Quality Act Determination ...................................... 4-183
4.11 Water Resources ............................................................................................................... 4-185
4.11.1 Regulatory Setting ................................................................................................ 4-185
4.11.2 Existing Conditions/Affected Environment ....................................................... 4-186
4.11.3 Environmental Impacts/Environmental Consequences ................................... 4-192
4.11.4 Mitigation Measures ............................................................................................ 4-195
4.11.5 California Environmental Quality Act Determination ...................................... 4-197
4.12 Safety and Security ............................................................................................................ 4-199
4.12.1 Regulatory Setting ................................................................................................ 4-199
4.12.2 Existing Conditions/Affected Environment ....................................................... 4-199
4.12.3 Environmental Impact/Environmental Consequences ..................................... 4-200
4.12.4 Mitigation Measures ............................................................................................ 4-203
4.12.5 California Environmental Quality Act Determination ...................................... 4-205
4.13 Parklands and Community Services and Facilities ........................................................ 4-202
4.13.1 Regulatory Setting ................................................................................................ 4-202
4.13.2 Existing Conditions/Affected Environment ....................................................... 4-202
4.13.3 Environmental Impacts/Environmental Consequences ................................... 4-211
4.13.4 California Environmental Quality Act Determination ...................................... 4-215
4.14 Historic, Archaeological, and Paleontological Resources .............................................. 4-221
4.14.1 Regulatory Setting ................................................................................................ 4-221
4.14.2 Process for Applying Regulations ....................................................................... 4-222
4.14.3 Methodology ......................................................................................................... 4-230
4.14.4 Affected Environment/Existing Conditions ....................................................... 4-234
4.14.5 Environmental Impacts/Environmental Consequences ................................... 4-239
4.14.6 Mitigation Measures ............................................................................................ 4-246
vi Westside Subway Extension September 2010
4.14.7 California Environmental Quality Act Determination ...................................... 4-247
4.15 Construction Impacts and Mitigation.............................................................................. 4-249
4.15.1 Construction Scenarios ........................................................................................ 4-250
4.16 Growth Inducing Impacts ................................................................................................ 4-288
4.16.1 Regulatory Setting ................................................................................................ 4-288
4.16.2 Existing Conditions/Affected Environment ....................................................... 4-289
4.16.3 Environmental Impact/Environmental Consequences ..................................... 4-291
4.16.4 Mitigation Measures ............................................................................................ 4-293
4.16.5 California Environmental Quality Act Determination ...................................... 4-293
4.17 Cumulative Impacts .......................................................................................................... 4-294
4.17.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................... 4-294
4.17.2 Regulatory Setting ................................................................................................ 4-294
4.17.3 Analysis Methodology .......................................................................................... 4-295
4.17.4 Existing Conditions/Affected Environment ....................................................... 4-295
4.17.5 Environmental Impact/Environmental Consequences ..................................... 4-295
4.18 Relationship between Short-term Uses of the Environment and Long-term Productivity........................................................................................................................ 4-307
4.19 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources ............................................ 4-308
4.20 Anticipated Permits and Approvals ................................................................................. 4-310
CHAPTER 5—SECTION 4(F) EVALUATION ........................................................................... 5-1
5.1 Section 4(f) Evaluation Overview ......................................................................................... 5-1
5.2 Section 4(f) “Use” Definitions .............................................................................................. 5-1
5.2.1 Direct Use ................................................................................................................. 5-2
5.2.2 Temporary Use ......................................................................................................... 5-2
5.2.3 Constructive Use ...................................................................................................... 5-2
5.2.4 De Minimis............................................................................................................... 5-2
5.3 Project Description ............................................................................................................... 5-3
5.4 Description of Section 4(f) Properties .................................................................................. 5-5
5.4.1 Historic Resources ................................................................................................... 5-5
5.5 Direct Use of Section 4(f) Properties ................................................................................. 5-13
5.5.1 Historic Resources ................................................................................................. 5-13
5.5.2 Alternative 1—Westwood/UCLA Extension and Options 1 through 5 .............. 5-14
5.5.3 Alternative 2—Westwood/VA Hospital Extension and Options 1 through 6 .... 5-28
5.5.4 Alternative 3—Santa Monica Extension and Options 1 through 6 ..................... 5-33
5.5.5 Alternative 4—Westwood/VA Hospital Extension plus West Hollywood Extension ................................................................................................................ 5-35
5.5.6 Alternative 5—Santa Monica Extension plus West Hollywood Extension ......... 5-35
5.5.7 MOS 1—Fairfax Station Terminus ....................................................................... 5-35
Table of Contents
Administrative Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report vii
5.5.8 MOS 2—Century City Station Terminus ............................................................. 5-35
5.6 Public Park or Recreational Resources .............................................................................. 5-36
5.7 Constructive Use ................................................................................................................. 5-36
5.8 Determination of Section 4(f) Use ..................................................................................... 5-36
5.8.1 Historical Resources .............................................................................................. 5-36
5.8.2 Public Park or Recreational Resources ................................................................. 5-38
5.9 Least Overall Harm ............................................................................................................. 5-38
5.10 Agency Coordination and Consultation ............................................................................ 5-39
CHAPTER 6—COST AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS ................................................................. 6-1
6.1 Cost Estimate Methodology.................................................................................................. 6-1
6.1.1 Capital Cost Methodology ....................................................................................... 6-1
6.1.2 Operating and Maintenance Costs Methodology .................................................. 6-1
6.2 Capital Plan ........................................................................................................................... 6-1
6.2.1 Capital Costs............................................................................................................. 6-1
6.2.2 Proposed Capital Funding Sources ........................................................................ 6-3
6.2.3 Evaluation of Financial Capacity ............................................................................. 6-4
6.3 Operating and Maintenance Plan ........................................................................................ 6-6
6.3.1 Operating and Maintenance Costs ......................................................................... 6-6
6.3.2 Operating and Maintenance Funding Sources ...................................................... 6-6
6.4 Construction Phasing ........................................................................................................... 6-7
6.5 Risks and Uncertainties ....................................................................................................... 6-8
6.5.1 Project Cost Uncertainties....................................................................................... 6-8
6.5.2 Funding Uncertainties .............................................................................................. 6-
CHAPTER 7—EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVES ................................................................. 7-1
7.1 Evaluation Methodology ....................................................................................................... 7-1
7.1.1 Goals, Objectives, and Evaluation Measures .......................................................... 7-1
7.1.2 Decision Tree Framework ....................................................................................... 7-2
7.2 TSM and Build Alternatives ................................................................................................. 7-2
7.2.1 Mobility Improvements ........................................................................................... 7-4
7.2.2 Cost-Effectiveness .................................................................................................... 7-6
7.2.3 Project Feasibility ..................................................................................................... 7-8
7.2.4 Equity ........................................................................................................................ 7-9
7.2.5 Environmental Considerations ............................................................................... 7-9
7.2.6 Trade-offs................................................................................................................ 7-10
7.3 Station and Alignment Options ......................................................................................... 7-10
7.3.1 Option 1: Wilshire/Crenshaw Station .................................................................. 7-11
7.3.2 Option 2: Fairfax Station ....................................................................................... 7-11
viii Westside Subway Extension September 2010
7.3.3 Option 3: La Cienega Station ................................................................................. 7-11
7.3.4 Option 4: Century City Station and Alignment Options ..................................... 7-11
7.3.5 Option 5: Westwood/UCLA Station Option ......................................................... 7-14
7.3.6 Option 6: Westwood/VA Hospital ........................................................................ 7-14
7.4 Vehicle Storage and Maintenance Facility......................................................................... 7-14
7.5 Project Phasing ................................................................................................................... 7-15
7.5.1 Cost-Effectiveness .................................................................................................. 7-15
7.5.2 Equity ...................................................................................................................... 7-15
CHAPTER 8—PUBLIC AND AGENCY OUTREACH ............................................................... 8-1
8.1 Pubilc Outreach Techniques ................................................................................................ 8-1
8.1.1 Stakeholder Identification ....................................................................................... 8-1
8.1.2 Outreach Materials ................................................................................................... 8-5
8.2 Government and Other Agency Consultation ..................................................................... 8-7
8.2.1 Section 6002 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act—A Legacy for Users .................................................... 8-7
8.2.2 Section 106 Consultation ......................................................................................... 8-8
8.2.3 Urban Design Working Group ............................................................................... 8-8
8.3 Community Outreach during the Alternatives Analysis Phase ......................................... 8-9
8.3.1 Early Scoping Meetings ........................................................................................... 8-9
8.3.2 Agency Scoping Meeting ....................................................................................... 8-11
8.3.3 Community Meetings ............................................................................................ 8-11
8.3.4 Stakeholder Briefings ............................................................................................ 8-12
8.3.5 Elected Officials Briefings ..................................................................................... 8-13
8.4 Community Outreach during the EIS/EIR Phase ............................................................ 8-14
8.4.1 Scoping Meetings ................................................................................................... 8-14
8.4.2 Agency Scoping Meeting ....................................................................................... 8-16
8.4.3 Community Meetings ............................................................................................ 8-16
8.4.4 Stakeholder Briefings ............................................................................................ 8-22
8.4.5 Elected Officials Briefings ..................................................................................... 8-23
8.5 Public Hearings................................................................................................................... 8-24
8.6 Accommodations for Minority, Low-Income, and Persons with Disabilities ................. 8-24
Figures Figure S-1. Steps in the FTA Project Development Process .............................................................................. S-2
Figure S-2. Project Study Area Location and Metro System Connections ....................................................... S-4
Table of Contents
Administrative Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report ix
Figure S-3. Activity Centers in the Study Area ..................................................................................................... S-6
Figure S-4. Land Use .............................................................................................................................................. S-8
Figure S-5. Home-Based Work Peak Person Trip Comparison: 2006 to 2035 ................................................ S-9
Figure S-6. Percent Increases in Transit Travel Times—Metro Bus Routes in Study Area, 2003 to 2006 ........................................................................................................................................................ S-9
Figure S-7. Alternatives Analysis Study Alternative 1 ....................................................................................... S-11
Figure S-8. Alternatives Analysis Study Alternative 11 ..................................................................................... S-11
Figure S-9. Existing Metro HRT Train and Station ........................................................................................... S-14
Figure S-10. Alternative 1—Westwood/UCLA Extension ................................................................................ S-16
Figure S-11. Alternative 2—Westwood/VA Hospital Extension ..................................................................... S-17
Figure S-12. Alternative 3—Santa Monica Extension ....................................................................................... S-18
Figure S-13. Alternative 4—Westwood/VA Hospital Extension plus West Hollywood Extension ............. S-19
Figure S-14. Alternative 5—Santa Monica Extension plus West Hollywood Extension .............................. S-21
Figure S-15. Station and Alignment Options..................................................................................................... S-22
Figure S-16. No Wilshire/Crenshaw Station Option ........................................................................................ S-23
Figure S-17. Wilshire/Fairfax Station East Station Option............................................................................... S-24
Figure S-18. Wilshire/La Cienega Station West with Connection Structure ................................................. S-25
Figure S-19. Century City Station ........................................................................................................................ S-26
Figure S-20. Westwood/UCLA On-Street Station Option ................................................................................ S-29
Figure S-21. Westwood/VA Hospital North Station ......................................................................................... S-30
Figure S-22. Expanded Division 20 Yard ............................................................................................................ S-32
Figure S-23. Union Pacific Railroad Rail Bridge and Extension of Tracks to Reach UP Yard .................... S-33
Figure 1-1. Project Study Area ............................................................................................................................... 1-3
Figure 1-2. 2000 Employment and Percent of Retail Jobs Within One-half Mile of Stations ........................ 1-6
Figure 1-3. Aerial Views of Westwood (left) and Century City (right) Central Business Districts ................ 1-7
Figure 1-4. Los Angeles Centers Concept ............................................................................................................. 1-8
Figure 1-5. Study Area Activity Centers ................................................................................................................ 1-9
Figure 1-6. Home-Based Work Peak Person Trip Comparison: 2006 to 2035 .............................................. 1-10
Figure 1-7. Existing Metro Rail, Bus Rapid Transit, and Metrolink System Map ......................................... 1-12
Figure 1-8. Top 10 Bus Routes within the Study Area’s Existing Transportation System ........................... 1-13
Figure 1-10. Percent Increases in Transit Travel Times—Metro Bus Routes in Study Area, 2003 to 2006 ...................................................................................................................................................... 1-16
Figure 2-1. Alignment Alternatives Presented at Early Scoping for the AA Study .......................................... 2-2
Figure 2-2. Transit Technologies ........................................................................................................................... 2-3
x Westside Subway Extension September 2010
Figure 2-3. Universe of Alignment and Station Alternatives Identified following Early Scoping for Evaluation in the AA Study ................................................................................................................. 2-4
Figure 2-4. Goals, Objectives, and Evaluation Criteria ....................................................................................... 2-6
Figure 2-5. Alternatives Analysis Process ............................................................................................................. 2-7
Figure 2-6. AA Study Alternative 1 ........................................................................................................................ 2-8
Figure 2-7. AA Study Alternative 11 ...................................................................................................................... 2-8
Figure 2-8. No Build Alternative Bus and Rail Service within the Study Area .............................................. 2-14
Figure 2-9. TSM Alternative ................................................................................................................................. 2-17
Figure 2-10. All Build Alternatives ...................................................................................................................... 2-21
Figure 2-11. Aerial of Build Alternatives ............................................................................................................ 2-23
Figure 2-12. Aerial of Build Alternatives ............................................................................................................ 2-24
Figure 2-13. Aerial of Build Alternatives ............................................................................................................ 2-25
Figure 2-14. Aerial of Build Alternatives ............................................................................................................ 2-26
Figure 2-15. Alternative 1—Westwood/UCLA Extension ................................................................................ 2-28
Figure 2-16. Alternative 2—Westwood/Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital Extension ....................... 2-30
Figure 2-17. Alternative 3—Santa Monica Extension ....................................................................................... 2-31
Figure 2-18. Alternative 4—Westwood/VA Hospital Extension plus West Hollywood Extension ............. 2-33
Figure 2-19. Alternative 5—Santa Monica Extension plus West Hollywood Extension .............................. 2-35
Figure 2-20. Station and Alignment Options .................................................................................................... 2-37
Figure 2-21. Option 1—No Wilshire/Crenshaw Station Option ..................................................................... 2-39
Figure 2-22. Wilshire/Crenshaw Station ............................................................................................................ 2-39
Figure 2-23. Option 2—Fairfax Station Option ................................................................................................. 2-40
Figure 2-24. Wilshire/Fairfax Station ................................................................................................................. 2-41
Figure 2-25. Wilshire/Fairfax Station East Station Option (Option 2) ............................................................ 2-42
Figure 2-26. Option 3—La Cienega Station Option .......................................................................................... 2-42
Figure 2-27. Wilshire/La Cienega Station .......................................................................................................... 2-43
Figure 2-28. Wilshire/La Cienega Station with Transfer Station Option (Option 3) .................................... 2-44
Figure 2-29. Century City Station and Segment Options ................................................................................. 2-45
Figure 2-30. Century City Station—Santa Monica Boulevard ......................................................................... 2-46
Figure 2-31. Century City Station—Constellation Boulevard Option (Option 4) .......................................... 2-47
Figure 2-32. Beverly Hills to Century City Segment Options .......................................................................... 2-48
Figure 2-33. Beverly Hills to Century City Segment Options .......................................................................... 2-49
Figure 2-34. Option 5—Westwood/UCLA Station Options ............................................................................ 2-51
Table of Contents
Administrative Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report xi
Figure 2-35. Westwood/UCLA Station—Off Street .......................................................................................... 2-51
Figure 2-36. Westwood/UCLA Station—On Street Option (Option 5) .......................................................... 2-52
Figure 2-37. Westwood/VA Hospital Station ..................................................................................................... 2-53
Figure 2-38. Option 6—Westwood/VA Station ................................................................................................. 2-53
Figure 2-39. Westwood/VA Hospital Station—North of Wilshire Station Option (Option 6) .................... 2-54
Figure 2-40. Existing Metro HRT Train and Station ......................................................................................... 2-54
Figure 2-41. Prototypical Center Mezzanine ...................................................................................................... 2-55
Figure 2-42. Prototypical Single-Ended Mezzanine .......................................................................................... 2-55
Figure 2-43. Prototypical Double-Ended Mezzanine ........................................................................................ 2-56
Figure 2-44. Double-ended Mezzanine............................................................................................................... 2-56
Figure 2-45. Wilshire/La Brea Station ................................................................................................................ 2-57
Figure 2-46. Wilshire/Rodeo Station ................................................................................................................... 2-58
Figure 2-47. Wilshire/Bundy Station .................................................................................................................. 2-59
Figure 2-48. Wilshire/26th Station ...................................................................................................................... 2-59
Figure 2-49. Wilshire/16th Station ...................................................................................................................... 2-60
Figure 2-50. Wilshire/4th Station ........................................................................................................................ 2-60
Figure 2-51. Hollywood/Highland Station ......................................................................................................... 2-61
Figure 2-52. Santa Monica/La Brea Station ....................................................................................................... 2-62
Figure 2-53. Santa Monica/Fairfax Station ......................................................................................................... 2-62
Figure 2-54. Santa Monica/San Vicente Station ................................................................................................ 2-63
Figure 2-55. Beverly Center Area Station ........................................................................................................... 2-63
Figure 2-56. Special Trackwork Locations for Alternative 1 ............................................................................. 2-68
Figure 2-57. Special Trackwork Locations for Alternative 2 ............................................................................. 2-69
Figure 2-58. Special Trackwork Locations for Alternative 3 ............................................................................. 2-70
Figure 2-59. Special Trackwork Locations for Alternative 4 ............................................................................. 2-71
Figure 2-60. Special Trackwork Locations for Alternative 5 ............................................................................. 2-72
Figure 2-61. Rail Operations Center and Maintenance Yard Sites .................................................................. 2-74
Figure 2-62. Rail Operations Center Expansion—Site Layout Study .............................................................. 2-74
Figure 2-63. Expanded Division 20 Yard ............................................................................................................ 2-76
Figure 2-64. Bird’s Eye View of Division 20 Yard .............................................................................................. 2-76
Figure 2-65. UP Railroad Rail Bridge .................................................................................................................. 2-77
Figure 2-66. Extension of Tracks to Reach UP Yard ......................................................................................... 2-77
Figure 2-67. Extension of Tracks to Reach UP Yard ......................................................................................... 2-77
xii Westside Subway Extension September 2010
Figure 2-68. MOS 1—Fairfax Extension ............................................................................................................ 2-80
Figure 2-69. Special Trackwork—MOS 1—Fairfax Extension ........................................................................ 2-81
Figure 2-70. MOS 2—Century City Extension .................................................................................................. 2-82
Figure 2-71. Special Trackwork—MOS 2—Century City Extension .............................................................. 2-83
Figure 3-1. Fixed Guideway Regional Transit Network...................................................................................... 3-4
Figure 3-2. Existing Bus and Rail Service within the Study Area with Top 10 Ridership Corridors ............ 3-5
Figure 3-3. Major Transfer Points in Study Area ................................................................................................ 3-9
Figure 3-4. Existing Intersection Levels of Service in Study Area ................................................................... 3-14
Figure 3-5. Potential Station Locations with High Volumes of Pedestrian Activity ..................................... 3-20
Figure 3-6. Existing and Proposed Bicycle Facilities in the Study Area .......................................................... 3-22
Figure 3-7. Origins and Destinations for Transit Travel Times ...................................................................... 3-24
Figure 3-8. Transit Travel Times— Pasadena to Westside .............................................................................. 3-25
Figure 3-9. Transit Travel Times— Downtown Los Angeles to Westside ..................................................... 3-26
Figure 3-10. Transit Travel Times— South Central Los Angeles to Westside .............................................. 3-26
Figure 3-11. Transit Travel Times— Reseda to Westside ................................................................................ 3-26
Figure 3-12. Transit Travel Times— Covina to Westside ................................................................................ 3-27
Figure 3-13. Transit Travel Times— Wilshire Western to Westside .............................................................. 3-27
Figure 3-14. Transit Travel Times— North Hollywood to Westside .............................................................. 3-27
Figure 3-15. Transit Operating Speeds ............................................................................................................... 3-28
Figure 3-16. Extent of Passenger Miles in Exclusive Guideway Service ......................................................... 3-29
Figure 3-17. Reduction in Auto Trips by Alternative during Seven-hour Peak Period ................................ 3-35
Figure 3-18. Station/Bus/Pedestrian-Bicycle Impact Analysis—Wilshire/Crenshaw Station .................... 3-45
Figure 3-19. Station/Bus/Pedestrian-Bicycle Impact Analysis—Wilshire/La Brea Station ......................... 3-46
Figure 3-20. Station/Bus/Pedestrian-Bicycle Impact Analysis—Wilshire/Fairfax Station .......................... 3-47
Figure 3-21. Station/Bus/Pedestrian-Bicycle Impact Analysis—Wilshire/Fairfax (East) Optional Station ................................................................................................................................................. 3-48
Figure 3-22. Station/Bus/Pedestrian-Bicycle Impact Analysis—Wilshire/La Cienega Station .................. 3-49
Figure 3-23. Station/Bus/Pedestrian-Bicycle Impact Analysis—Wilshire/La Cienega Optional Station ................................................................................................................................................. 3-50
Figure 3-24. Station/Bus/Pedestrian-Bicycle Impact Analysis—Wilshire/Rodeo Station ........................... 3-51
Figure 3-25. Station/Bus/Pedestrian-Bicycle Impact Analysis—Century City Station ................................ 3-52
Figure 3-26. Station/Bus/Pedestrian-Bicycle Impact Analysis—Century City Constellation Optional Station ................................................................................................................................................. 3-53
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Administrative Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report xiii
Figure 3-27. Station/Bus/Pedestrian-Bicycle Impact Analysis—Westwood/UCLA Off-Street Optional Station.................................................................................................................................. 3-54
Figure 3-28. Station/Bus/Pedestrian-Bicycle Impact Analysis—Westwood/UCLA On-Street Optional Station.................................................................................................................................. 3-55
Figure 3-29. Station/Bus/Pedestrian-Bicycle Impact Analysis—Westwood/VA Hospital Station ............. 3-56
Figure 3-30. Station/Bus/Pedestrian-Bicycle Impact Analysis—Westwood/VA Hospital (North) Optional Station.................................................................................................................................. 3-57
Figure 3-31. Station/Bus/Pedestrian-Bicycle Impact Analysis—Wilshire/Bundy Station .......................... 3-58
Figure 3-32. Station/Bus/Pedestrian-Bicycle Impact Analysis—Wilshire/26th Street Station ................... 3-59
Figure 3-33. Station/Bus/Pedestrian-Bicycle Impact Analysis—Wilshire/16th Street Station ................... 3-60
Figure 3-34. Station/Bus/Pedestrian-Bicycle Impact Analysis—Wilshire/4th Street Station ..................... 3-61
Figure 3-35. Station/Bus/Pedestrian-Bicycle Impact Analysis—Hollywood/Highland Station ................. 3-62
Figure 3-36. Station/Bus/Pedestrian-Bicycle Impact Analysis—Santa Monica/La Brea Optional Station .................................................................................................................................................. 3-63
Figure 3-37. Station/Bus/Pedestrian-Bicycle Impact Analysis—Santa Monica/Fairfax Station ................. 3-64
Figure 3-38. Station/Bus/Pedestrian-Bicycle Impact Analysis—Santa Monica/San Vicente Station ........ 3-65
Figure 3-39. Station/Bus/Pedestrian-Bicycle Impact Analysis—Beverly Center Area Station .................... 3-66
Figure 4-1. Jurisdiction and Planning Areas ........................................................................................................ 4-3
Figure 4-2. Existing Land Use Map 1 .................................................................................................................... 4-7
Figure 4-3. Existing Land Use Map 2 .................................................................................................................... 4-8
Figure 4-4. Existing Land Use Map 3 .................................................................................................................... 4-9
Figure 4-5. Existing Land Use Map 4 .................................................................................................................. 4-10
Figure 4-6. Existing Land Use Distribution—One-quarter Mile from Stations ............................................ 4-11
Figure 4-7. Development Opportunities—SCAG-Projected New Employment and New Housing Units (2035) within One-quarter Mile of Station Locations .......................................................... 4-11
Figure 4-8. Existing Level of Development at Each Station Location—One-quarter Mile from Stations ................................................................................................................................................ 4-15
Figure 4-9. Existing Land Use Controls at Each Station Location ................................................................... 4-15
Figure 4-10. Study Area Population Density (2006) .......................................................................................... 4-18
Figure 4-11. Racial and Ethnic Distribution of Population within Los Angeles County .............................. 4-19
Figure 4-12. Racial and Ethnic Distribution of Population within Study Area .............................................. 4-19
Figure 4-13. Age Distribution within Study Area .............................................................................................. 4-19
Figure 4-14. Study Area Owner-Occupied Housing Units—Distribution of Household Sizes .................. 4-19
Figure 4-15. Study Area Renter-Occupied Housing Units—Distribution of Household Sizes .................. 4-20
Figure 4-16. Study Area Employment Densities (2006) ................................................................................... 4-21
xiv Westside Subway Extension September 2010
Figure 4-17. Distribution of Annual Household Income within Study Area—2000 ................................... 4-22
Figure 4-18. Study Area Communities and Neighborhoods ........................................................................... 4-23
Figure 4-19. Minority Population Distribution .................................................................................................. 4-33
Figure 4-20. Acquisitions and Easements for Alternatives 1 through 5 ......................................................... 4-37
Figure 4-21. Acquisitions and Easements for MOS 1 and MOS 2 .................................................................. 4-38
Figure 4-22. Option 4 Beverly Hills to Century City Alignment Options ...................................................... 4-40
Figure 4-23. Option 4 Century City to Westwood Alignment Options .......................................................... 4-40
Figure 4-24. O&M-Related Job Creation by Earnings ....................................................................................... 4-46
Figure 4-25. Wilshire/La Brea Station—Potential Station Entrance at Metro Service Center and Blockbuster Video (Existing and Simulation) ................................................................................ 4-74
Figure 4-26. Wilshire/Fairfax Station East Option–Potential Station Entrance at the West Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Existing and Simulation) ......................................................... 4-75
Figure 4-27. Wilshire/La Cienega Station East (Existing and Simulation) .................................................... 4-76
Figure 4-28. Wilshire/Rodeo Station—Potential Station Entrance at the Sterling Building (Existing and Simulation) .................................................................................................................................. 4-77
Figure 4-29. Wilshire/4th Station—Potential Station Entrance at the First Federal Bank Building Plaza (Existing and Simulation) ....................................................................................................... 4-78
Figure 4-30. Hollywood/Highland Station—Potential Station Entrance East of North Highland Avenue (Existing and Simulation) ................................................................................................... 4-79
Figure 4-31. Air Quality Analysis Sites ............................................................................................................... 4-91
Figure 4-32. National MSAT Emission Trends 1999–2050 for Vehicles Operating on Roadways Using EPA Mobile6.2 Model ............................................................................................................ 4-94
Figure 4-33. The Greenhouse Effect ................................................................................................................... 4-98
Figure 4-34. Typical Day-Night (Ldn) Sound Levels ....................................................................................... 4-102
Figure 4-35. Noise Impact Criteria for Transit Projects ................................................................................. 4-103
Figure 4-36. Criteria for Detailed Vibration Analysis ...................................................................................... 4-106
Figure 4-37. Map of Noise Measurement Sites ............................................................................................... 4-108
Figure 4-38. Typical Ground Vibration Levels ................................................................................................. 4-110
Figure 4-39. Transfer Mobility Determined by Vibration Measurements ................................................... 4-111
Figure 4-40. Location of Transfer Mobility Test .............................................................................................. 4-112
Figure 4-41. Measured Metro Red Line Force Density Level ......................................................................... 4-114
Figure 4-42. Measured Line Source Response for Tunnel Depth of 50 Feet ............................................... 4-115
Figure 4-43. Vibration Sensitive Locations—Western Ave/Hollywood Blvd to Robertson Blvd .............. 4-121
Figure 4-44. Vibration Sensitive Locations—Robertson Blvd to Barrington Ave ........................................ 4-122
Figure 4-45. Vibration Sensitive Locations—Barrington Ave to 2nd Street ................................................ 4-123
Table of Contents
Administrative Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report xv
Figure 4-46. Surface Geology and Earthquake Faults ..................................................................................... 4-146
Figure 4-47. Geological Cross Section .............................................................................................................. 4-147
Figure 4-48. Liquefaction Hazard Zones .......................................................................................................... 4-151
Figure 4-49. Oil Fields/Wells ............................................................................................................................. 4-155
Figure 4-50. Methane Risk Zone ....................................................................................................................... 4-156
Figure 4-51. Potential Hazardous Materials Sites near the Project Corridor ............................................... 4-175
Figure 4-52. Potential Hazardous Materials Sites near the Proposed Maintenance Facilities .................. 4-176
Figure 4-53. Floodplains—Study Area .............................................................................................................. 4-189
Figure 4-54. Floodplains—Maintenance Yards ............................................................................................... 4-190
Figure 4-55. Floodplains—Rail Operations Center ......................................................................................... 4-191
Figure 4-56. Parkland and Communities Facilities (Wilshire/Crenshaw Station to Wilshire La Brea Station) .............................................................................................................................................. 4-203
Figure 4-57. Parkland and Communities Facilities (Wilshire/Fairfax Station and Beverly Area Station to Wilshire/Rodeo Station) ................................................................................................ 4-204
Figure 4-58. Parkland and Communities Facilities (Century City Station to Westwood/VA Hospital Station) .............................................................................................................................................. 4-205
Figure 4-59. Parkland and Communities Facilities (Wilshire/Bundy Station to Wilshire/4th Station) ... 4-206
Figure 4-60. Parkland and Communities Facilities (Hollywood/Highlands Station to Santa Monica/San Vincente Station) ....................................................................................................... 4-207
Figure 4-61. Historic, Architectural, and Archaeological Resources (Wilshire/Crenshaw Station to Wilshire La Brea Station) ................................................................................................................ 4-223
Figure 4-62. Historic, Architectural, and Archaeological Resources (Wilshire/Fairfax Station and Beverly Area Station to Wilshire/Rodeo Station) ......................................................................... 4-224
Figure 4-63. Historic, Architectural, and Archaeological Resources (Century City Station to Westwood/VA Hospital Station) .................................................................................................... 4-225
Figure 4-64. Historic, Architectural, and Archaeological Resources (Wilshire/Bundy Station to Wilshire/4th Station) ....................................................................................................................... 4-226
Figure 4-65. Historic, Architectural, and Archaeological Resources (Hollywood/Highlands Station to Santa Monica/San Vincente Station) ........................................................................................ 4-227
Figure 4-66. Historic, Architectural, and Archaeological Resources (Maintenance Facilities) .................. 4-229
Figure 4-67. Johnie's Coffee Shop exterior in 2007 ......................................................................................... 4-234
Figure 4-68. The Beverly Wilshire Hotel in 1959 ............................................................................................ 4-235
Figure 4-69. Hollywood 1908 ............................................................................................................................. 4-236
Figure 4-70. 1941 View of Hancock Park La Brea Tar Pits pond ................................................................... 4-238
Figure 4-71. Columbian mammoth skeleton from the tar pits displayed in the George C. Page Museum ............................................................................................................................................ 4-238
xvi Westside Subway Extension September 2010
Figure 4-72. Union Bank Building .................................................................................................................... 4-243
Figure 4-73. Ace Gallery ..................................................................................................................................... 4-243
Figure 4-74. Cheyenne Building ....................................................................................................................... 4-244
Figure 4-75. La Brea Tar Pits and Page Museum ............................................................................................ 4-245
Figure 4-76. Pressurized-Face Tunnel Boring Machine ................................................................................ 4-254
Figure 4-77. Twin Tunnels on Eastside Extension .......................................................................................... 4-254
Figure 4-78. Tunneling in Gassy Areas with Pressure Face TBM ................................................................ 4-256
Figure 4-79. Haul Truck for Excavated Soil Removal with Cover Mechanism Shown .............................. 4-256
Figure 4-80. Typical Cut-and-Cover Construction Sequence ......................................................................... 4-257
Figure 4-81. Typical Street Excavation .............................................................................................................. 4-257
Figure 4-82. Concrete Decking on Street ......................................................................................................... 4-257
Figure 4-83. Construction Activities below Concrete Decking ...................................................................... 4-257
Figure 4-84. Off-Street Station Box Excavation ................................................................................................ 4-257
Figure 4-85. Off-Street Construction Area on Metro’s Eastside Extension .................................................. 4-258
Figure 4-86. On Street Construction Area Used for 7th/Metro Station ....................................................... 4-258
Figure 4-87. Breakdown of Construction Related Job Creation by Industry ............................................... 4-285
Figure 4-88. Breakdown of Construction Related Job Creation by Earnings Range .................................. 4-286
Figure 5-1. Westside Subway Extension Study Area .......................................................................................... 5-4
Figure 5-2. Section 4(f) Properties () ..................................................................................................................... 5-7
Figure 5-3. Section 4(f) Properties () ..................................................................................................................... 5-8
Figure 5-4. Section 4(f) Properties () ..................................................................................................................... 5-9
Figure 5-5. Section 4(f) Properties () ................................................................................................................... 5-10
Figure 5-6. Section 4(f) Properties () ................................................................................................................... 5-11
Figure 5-7. Wilshire/Fairfax Station ................................................................................................................... 5-16
Figure 5-8. Wilshire/Fairfax Station—East Station Option ............................................................................. 5-16
Figure 5-9. Wilshire/Rodeo Station .................................................................................................................... 5-20
Figure 5-10. Century City Station—Constellation Boulevard (Option 4 with a Century City/Constellation Station) ............................................................................................................... 5-27
Figure 5-11. Westwood/UCLA On-Street Station (Option 5) .......................................................................... 5-28
Figure 5-12. Los Angeles Veterans Administration Medical Center Historic District Boundary ............... 5-29
Figure 5-13. Westwood/VA Hospital Station (Option 6—North of Wilshire) ............................................... 5-31
Figure 5-14. Wilshire/4th Station ........................................................................................................................ 5-33
Figure 7-1. Activity Centers and High Opportunity Areas within one-half mile of the Alignment .............. 7-7
Table of Contents
Administrative Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report xvii
Figure 7-2. Cost-Effectiveness Indices .................................................................................................................. 7-8
Tables Table S-1. Southern California Association of Governments Performance Indicators ................................ S-10
Table S-2. Century City Station to Westwood/UCLA Station Segments - Option 4 ..................................... S-27
Table S-3. Evaluation Results for TSM and Build Alternatives ........................................................................ S-34
Table S-4. Summary of Transportation Impacts and Mitigation .................................................................... S-39
Table S-5. Summary of Environmental Impacts and Mitigation .................................................................... S-41
Table S-6. Summary of Environmental Impacts and Mitigation—Construction ......................................... S-50
Table 1-1. Total Employment and Employment Density Data of Comparable CBDs .................................... 1-5
Table 1-2. 2006 and 2035 Daily Study Area Transit Trips ................................................................................ 1-10
Table 1-3. Traffic Volumes for Key Study Area Arterial Segments ................................................................. 1-15
Table 1-4. Westbound Bus Speeds along Wilshire, Olympic, and Santa Monica Boulevard Corridors ..... 1-16
Table 1-5. Southern California Association of Governments Performance Indicators ................................ 1-17
Table 2-1. Future Transit Network Changes between No Build and TSM Alternatives ............................... 2-18
Table 2-2. Rail Operating Plans for Build Alternatives ..................................................................................... 2-27
Table 2-3. Alternatives and Stations Considered in this Draft EIS/EIR ......................................................... 2-36
Table 2-4. Century City to Westwood/UCLA Segment Options ..................................................................... 2-49
Table 2-5: Substation and Emergency Generator Locations ............................................................................ 2-65
Table 2-6. Mid-Tunnel Vent Shaft Locations ..................................................................................................... 2-66
Table 2-7. Special Trackwork Locations .............................................................................................................. 2-67
Table 3-1. Major East-West Streets/Bus Lines in Study Area ............................................................................ 3-6
Table 3-2. Existing Study Area Transit Service and Weekday Boardings ......................................................... 3-7
Table 3-3. Traffic Volumes for Key Arterial Segments in the Study Area ...................................................... 3-13
Table 3-4. Level-of-Service Definitions for Signalized Intersections ............................................................... 3-16
Table 3-5. Parking Occupancy—Unrestricted On-Street Spaces within One-Half Mile of Stations .......... 3-17
Table 3-6. Commercial Land Uses and Parking Spaces within One-Half Mile of Stations ......................... 3-18
Table 3-7. Daily Station Boardings ...................................................................................................................... 3-30
Table 3-8. Daily Mode of Access Percentages .................................................................................................... 3-31
Table 3-9. Future Transit Network Changes between the No Build and TSM Alternatives ........................ 3-31
Table 3-10. 2035 Performance Measures for Alternatives ................................................................................ 3-34
xviii Westside Subway Extension September 2010
Table 3-11. Level-of-Service Improvement as Compared with 2035 No Build Alternative .......................... 3-36
Table 3-12. Westside Subway Extension Traffic Impact Criteria .................................................................... 3-36
Table 3-13. Impact Summary Table .................................................................................................................... 3-37
Table 3-14. Estimated On-Street Parking Demand by Station ........................................................................ 3-40
Table 3-15. Parking Impact Summary ............................................................................................................... 3-42
Table 3-16. Transit and Non-Motorized Impact Summary ............................................................................. 3-67
Table 3-17. Traffic Control Activities during Construction .............................................................................. 3-69
Table 4-1. Relevant Local Land Use Policies ........................................................................................................ 4-4
Table 4-2. Summary of Impacts to Land Use .................................................................................................... 4-12
Table 4-3. Demographic and Socioeconomic Information for Study Area Communities .......................... 4-34
Table 4-4. Station Options—Difference in the Number of Acquisitions or Easements Relative to Base Station Locations ....................................................................................................................... 4-39
Table 4-5. Permanent Underground Easements (including Residential Easements) via the Wilshire/Rodeo Station to Century City Station Alignment Options, and via the Century City Station to Westwood/UCLA Station Alignment Options ..................................................... 4-41
Table 4-6. Properties tunneled beneath for the Wilshire/Rodeo Station to Century City Station Alignment Options, and along the Century City Station to Westwood/UCLA Station Alignment Options ............................................................................................................................ 4-41
Table 4-7. Estimated Property Tax Losses for All Alternatives ......................................................................... 4-44
Table 4-8. Estimated Tax Revenues/Losses by Tax District ............................................................................. 4-44
Table 4-9. Employment Loss in Project Study Area due to Property Acquisitions ....................................... 4-45
Table 4-10. Full-Time Employment Generated by Annual O&M Expenditures ........................................... 4-46
Table 4-11. Estimated O&M-Related Economic Output by Alternative .......................................................... 4-47
Table 4-12. Stations, Rail Operations Center, and Maintenance Facility Visual Character, Category, and Potential Impacts ........................................................................................................................ 4-66
Table 4-13. State and Federal Ambient Air Quality Standards ........................................................................ 4-83
Table 4-14. Air Quality Summary for Project Study Area Monitoring Stations ............................................ 4-86
Table 4-15. Project Area Attainment Status ....................................................................................................... 4-87
Table 4-16. Regional Emission Burden Assessment ........................................................................................ 4-88
Table 4-17. Study Area Emission Burden Assessment .................................................................................... 4-89
Table 4-18. CO Microscale Analysis Sites .......................................................................................................... 4-90
Table 4-19. Predicted Worst-Case One-hour CO Concentrations (parts per million [ppm]) ....................... 4-92
Table 4-20. Predicted Eight-hour CO Concentrations (ppm)........................................................................... 4-92
Table 4-21. California Greenhouse Gas Inventory for 2000–2006 by Category
Table 4-22. Regional Roadway CO2e Emission Burden Assessment (Metric Tons/Day) ......................... 4-102
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Administrative Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report xix
Table 4-23. CO2e Emission Burdens from Power Requirements (Metric Tons/Day) ............................... 4-103
Table 4-24. Regional CO2e Emission Burden Assessment (Metric Tons/Day) .......................................... 4-103
Table 4-25. FTA Land Use Categories and Metrics for Transit Noise........................................................... 4-103
Table 4-26. FTA Ground-borne Vibration and Ground-Borne Noise Impact Criteria for General Assessment ....................................................................................................................................... 4-105
Table 4-27. FTA Ground-borne Vibration and GBN Impact Criteria for Special Buildings ...................... 4-105
Table 4-28. Interpretation of Vibration Criteria for Detailed Analysis .......................................................... 4-106
Table 4-29. Existing Noise Levels ....................................................................................................................... 4-109
Table 4-30. Predicted Ground-borne Vibration and Ground-borne Noise at Vibration-Sensitive Receivers ............................................................................................................................................ 4-116
Table 4-31. Ground-borne Noise Impact Locations— Alternatives 1 and 2 ................................................. 4-128
Table 4-32. Ground-borne Noise Impact Locations—Alternative 3 .............................................................. 4-128
Table 4-33. Ground-borne Noise Impact Locations—Alternative 4 .............................................................. 4-129
Table 4-34. Ground-borne Noise Impact Locations—MOS 1 ........................................................................ 4-129
Table 4-35. Ground-borne Noise Impact Locations—Alignment Options .................................................. 4-130
Table 4-36. Energy Comparisons ....................................................................................................................... 4-137
Table 4-37. Transportation Energy Intensity .................................................................................................... 4-138
Table 4-38. 2035 Regional Passenger Miles by Transportation Mode .......................................................... 4-138
Table 4-39. Estimated Mobile Source Energy Consumption ......................................................................... 4-139
Table 4-40. Topography of Alternatives along Wilshire Boulevard ............................................................... 4-144
Table 4-41. Geologic Units ................................................................................................................................. 4-145
Table 4-42. Active Faults and Fault Segments ................................................................................................. 4-148
Table 4-43. Estimated Ground Shaking Levels ................................................................................................ 4-150
Table 4-44. Groundwater Measurements ......................................................................................................... 4-153
Table 4-45. Identified Oil Wells ......................................................................................................................... 4-158
Table 4-46. Properties with High Potential for Hazardous Material Impacts in the Study Area as Indicated in Environmental Regulatory Databases ...................................................................... 4-171
Table 4-47. Special Status Wildlife and Plant Species Potentially in the Study Area .................................. 4-181
Table 4-48. Effects to Historic Properties under Section 106 ......................................................................... 4-240
Table 4-49. Generalized Sequence and Approximate Duration of Construction Activities ....................... 4-251
Table 4-50. Construction Activity Summary for MOS 1 Construction ......................................................... 4-252
Table 4-51. Estimated Construction Duration by Segment and Alternative ................................................ 4-253
Table 4-52. Acquisitions & Easements and Job Losses Associated with Each Alternative ......................... 4-261
Table 4-53. Estimated Construction Impacts for Project Construction Elements (lbs/day) ...................... 4-264
xx Westside Subway Extension September 2010
Table 4-54. Estimated CO2e Emission Burdens for Construction Activities (Metric Tons/day) ............. 4-266
Table 4-55. Noise Level of Typical Construction Equipment at 50’ (dBA Lmax)* ....................................... 4-267
Table 4-56. Estimated Construction Energy Consumption ........................................................................... 4-270
Table 4- 57. Estimated Full Time Employment Generated by Construction Spending (in Person Years or Full-time Employment for One Person for One Year) ................................................ 4-284
Table 4-58. Estimated Construction Related Economic Output by Alternative (2009 dollars, billions) ... 4-286
Table 4-59. Population Growth in Cities within the Study Area, 2000-2009................................................ 4-289
Table 4-60. Households in Cities within the Study Area, 2000-2009 ............................................................ 4-290
Table 4-61. Population, Households, and Employment Growth in Cities within the Study Area, 2010-2035 .......................................................................................................................................... 4-291
Table 4-62. Westside Subway Extension Project Alternatives ........................................................................ 4-297
Table 5-1. Park and Recreation Areas Adjacent to Westside Subway Extension Alternatives and Options ................................................................................................................................................ 5-12
Table 5-2. Historic Properties with Section 4(f) Use in the Study Area.......................................................... 5-14
Table 6-1. Capital Cost Estimates for TSM and Build Alternatives by Standardized Cost Category in 2009 Dollars (Millions) ........................................................................................................................ 6-2
Table 6-2. Total Allocated and Unallocated Contingency for TSM and Build Alternatives in 2009 Dollars (Millions) ................................................................................................................................. 6-3
Table 6-3. Capital Funding Requirements for Transportation System Management and Build Alternatives in 2009 Dollars (Millions) .............................................................................................. 6-5
Table 6-4. Annual Operating and Maintenance Costs for Year 2035 for Transportation Systems Management and Build Alternatives in Year-of-Expenditure Dollars (Millions) ......................... 6-6
Table 6-5. Capital Cost Estimates for Minimum Operating Segments by Standardized Cost Category in 2009 Dollars (Millions) ................................................................................................... 6-8
Table 7-1. Evaluation Results for TSM and Build Alternatives .......................................................................... 7-3
Table 7-2. Impact of Removing Crenshaw Station on Cost Effectiveness Index .......................................... 7-11
Table 7-3. Transit Travel Time for Alignment Options between Wilshire/Rodeo and Century City ......... 7-12
Table 7-4. Evaluation of Alignment Options between Century City (Santa Monica Boulevard Station) and Westwood/UCLA ......................................................................................................... 7-13
Table 7-5. Evaluation of Alignment Options between Century City (Constellation Station) and Westwood/UCLA ............................................................................................................................... 7-13
Table 7-6. Evaluation Results for Project Phasing Options .............................................................................. 7-16
Table 8-1. Westside Subway Extension Early Scoping Meetings .................................................................... 8-10
Table 8-2. Community Update Meetings ........................................................................................................... 8-12
Table 8-3. Westside Subway Extension Scoping Meetings .............................................................................. 8-14
Table 8-4. Community Update Meetings after Scoping ................................................................................... 8-17
Table of Contents
Administrative Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report xxi
Table 8-5. Westside Subway Extension Station Area Information Meetings ................................................. 8-18
Table 8-6. Westside Subway Extension Station Area Spring 2010 Community Meetings .......................... 8-20
Table 8-7. Westside Subway Extension Station Area Summer 2010 Community Meetings ....................... 8-21
Appendices Appendix A—Plans, Profiles, and Typical Sections (available in 11x17 format)
Appendix B—Station Site Plan Report (available in 11x17 format)
Appendix C—Acquisitions
Appendix D— Programmatic Agreement and Historic Properties
Appendix E—Construction Methods
Appendix F—Notice of Intent/Notice of Preparation
Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report 1
CHAPTER 4— µg/m3 micrograms per cubic meter
AA Alternatives Analysis
AB State of California Assembly Bill ACHP Federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
ADA Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
AMSL above mean sea level ANSI American National Standards Institute
APE Area of Potential Effect
APTA American Public Transportation Association AQMD Air Quality Management District
BBB Santa Monica Big Blue Bus BMP best management practice(s)
BRT bus rapid transit
BTU British thermal unit Cal/OSHA California Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Caltrans California Department of Transportation
CARB California Air Resource Board CBD Los Angeles Central Business District
CE Conceptual Engineering CEI cost effectiveness index
CEQA California Environmental Quality Act (PRC 21000-21177)
CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980
CERCLIS Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Information System
CFC chlorofluorocarbons CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CGS California Geological Surveys
CH4 methane CMAQ Congestion Management and Air Quality
CO carbon monoxide
CO2 carbon dioxide CO2e carbon dioxide equivalent
CORE Congressionally Ordered Re-engineering
Cortese Hazardous Waste and Substance Sites List DASH Downtown Area Shuttle
dB decibels dBA A-weighted decibels
DIL dynamic insertion loss
EIS/EIR environmental impact statement/environmental impact report
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
2 Westside Subway Extension September 2010
EJ environmental justice.
EMFAC Emission Factor Model
EMI Emissions Inventory Data EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
ESA environmental site assessment
FHWA Federal Highway Administration FINDS Facility Index System/Facility Registry System
FTA Federal Transit Administration g gravity
GBN ground-borne noise
GBV ground-borne vibration GHG greenhouse gas
GWP global warming potential
H2S hydrogen sulfide HABS Historic American Building Survey
Haznet Facility and Manifest Data HCFC hydrochlorofluorocarbons
HCM Highway Capacity Manual HDPE high-density polyethylene HFC hydrofluorocarbons
HFE hydrofluorinated ether
HIST UST Historical Record Hazardous Substance Storage Container Database HOV high-occupancy vehicle
HRT heavy rail transit
Kg kilogram kWh kilowatt-hour
LACTC Los Angeles County Transportation Commission LADOT Los Angeles Department of Transportation
LATC Los Angeles Transportation Center
Ldn average day-night noise level Leq equivalent sound level
Leq(h) hourly equivalent sound level
Lmax maximum noise level during an event LONP Letters of No Prejudice
LOS level of service
LPA Locally Preferred Alternative LRT light rail transit
LRTP Long Range Transportation Plan LTF Local Transportation Fund
LUST leaking underground storage tanks
MDE maximum design earthquake
Acronyms and Abbreviations
Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report 3
Metro Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
MIS Major Investment Study
MOS minimum operable segments mph miles per hour
MPO metropolitan planning organization
MSAT mobile source air toxics N2O nitrous oxide
NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standards NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act (42 USC 4321-4347)
NF3 nitrogen trifluoride NO2 nitrogen dioxide
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA/FS National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Fisheries Service NOI notice of intent
NOX nitrogen oxides NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NPS National Park Service
NRHP National Register of Historic Places O&M operating and maintenance
O3 ozone
ODE operating design earthquake OPR The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research
PFC perfluorocarbons
PGA peak ground acceleration PM10 particulate matter smaller than or equal to 10 microns in size
PM2.5 particulate matter smaller than or equal to 2.5 microns in size ppm parts per million
PPV peak particle velocity
PRC State of California Public Resources Code PSHA probabilistic seismic hazard analysis RMS root mean squared ROC Rail Operations Center ROW right-of-way RPP residential permit parking RTAA Regional Transit Alternatives RTIP Regional Transportation Improvement Plan
RTP Regional Transportation Plan SAFETEA-LU Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy
for Users (U.S. Public Law 109-59)
4 Westside Subway Extension September 2010
SB State of California Senate Bill
SCAG Southern California Association of Governments
SCAQMD South Coast Air Quality Management District SCC standardized cost categories
SF6 sulfur hexafluoride
SHPO State Historic Preservation Office/Officer SLIC spills, leaks, investigations, and cleanup
SO2 sulfur dioxide TBM tunnel boring machine
TDA Transportation Development Act TDM travel demand management TIP transportation improvement plan
TOD transit-oriented development
TPSS traction power substation TSM Transportation Systems Management
UCLA University of California, Los Angeles USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
USC United States Code
USDOT U.S. Department of Transportation USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
USGS U.S. Geological Surveys
USHHS U.S. Department of Health and Human Services UST underground storage tank
VA Veterans Affairs
VdB vibration decibels VHT vehicle hours traveled
VMT vehicle miles traveled WBHL West Beverly Hills Lineament