Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Draft EIS/EIR Public Hearings

Transcription

1 Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Draft EIS/EIR Public Hearings Agenda Registration/Open House (30 minutes) Draft EIS/EIR Presentation (30 minutes) Public Comment (90 minutes) 1

2 Purpose of Today s Meeting Provide a brief summary of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIS/EIR) Describe decision process to identify the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) Summary of next steps Listen to public comments Part of official record Responses in Final EIS/EIR 2

3 Community Involvement Scoping from January to April meetings to date Over 2,800 attendees Over 3,200 project database contacts Pre Release Outreach, July Open Houses/City Council Presentations Council of Government & Elected Briefings September 2014: 4 Public Hearings 09/27 Pico Rivera Sr. Center, Pico Rivera 09/29 Quiet Cannon Banquet Center, Montebello 09/30 Uptown Whittier Sr. Center, Whittier 10/01 S. El Monte Sr. Center, S. El Monte 3

4 Project Goal and Purpose Improve the region s public transit service and mobility by providing a connection to the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension Improve mobility, accessibility and connectivity to the Metro regional transit system Support local land use objectives Provide a cost effective and financially feasible project Plan for projected growth in a sustainable manner Meet the needs of the transit dependent

5 Metro s Current & Future Regional Network chatsworth Azus a West Hollywood Santa Monica Culver City SR 60 Alternative Washington Blvd. Alternative Santa Ana Torrance

6 Where We Are in the Project Development Process Draft EIS/EIR Identify and evaluate possible benefits and impacts of alternatives Process: *Notice of Intent/Preparation *Prepare Concept Drawings *Technical Studies *Administrative Draft EIS/EIR *FTA and Co operating Agency Review *Public Review of Draft EIS/EIR *Locally Preferred Alternative Identified August 2014 Prepare Final EIS/EIR Alternatives Analysis Completed 2009 Draft Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIS/EIR) Board Designates LPA Final EIS/EIR Public Release Final Design Construction Constrained Financial Plan Public Involvement Start up/ Revenue Operations 6

7 Purpose of the Draft EIS/EIR Inform decision makers and the public of potential environmental impacts Evaluate performance of the alternatives Evaluate adverse & beneficial impacts of the alternatives: Temporary effects/impacts during construction Ongoing effects/impacts during operation Draft EIS/EIR provides locations and other details of potential effects/impacts Identifies potential mitigations for adverse effects/impacts 7

8 Project Funding 2008 Measure R passed $1.27 billion for Eastside Phase 2 Approved Regional Transportation Plan and Metro s Long Range Transportation Plan commits $2.4 billion in funding starting 2026 Remaining funding is yet to be identified The Metro Board is working to accelerate Measure R funding and identify additional funding sources for second and third decade projects Initiation of Final EIS is contingent upon having funding in place 8

9 Environmental Coordination Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Metro Lead Agency (CEQA) FTA Co Lead (NEPA) Cooperating Agencies US Environmental Protection Agency US Army Corps of Engineers Caltrans Participating Agencies Local Cities and agencies 9

10 Scoping Comments Received from Public Agencies 7 federal agencies commented on: Historic properties, flood control basins, air quality, integration of existing transportation facilities, OII Landfill Superfund Site, environmental justice issues, water resources, endangered species and others 6 state agencies commented on: Coordination of competing SR 60 related projects, OII Landfill Superfund Site, grade crossing impacts, safety, and coordination with Native American tribes 19 regional & local agencies commented on: Utilities, local infrastructure, grade crossings, land use compatibility, parking, safety and security, aesthetics, noise, dust, vibration, construction, and community linkages S.C. Edison Power. South Parcel OII Landfill Superfund Site 10

11 Areas of Environmental Analysis 11

12 Alternatives Under Study in Draft EIS/EIR No Build Transportation Systems Management (TSM) SR 60 LRT Alternative (and north side design variation) Washington Boulevard LRT Alternative (and 2 grade separation design variations) 12

13 No Build Alternative Assumes implementation of all other approved projects by 2035 None of the alternatives being evaluated in this study are constructed Assumes project population and employment growth estimated for the year

14 TSM Alternative 14

15 LRT Aerial Structures in Los Angeles Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Iconic Bridge Metro Green Line At Maple and Nash Streets Metro Green Line At Nash Street and El Segundo Boulevard Metro Green Line Along Nash Street 15

16 At grade LRT in Los Angeles Metro Gold Line at Ditman Metro Gold Line at Gage Ave Metro Gold Line at Mednik 16

17 SR 60 LRT Alternative 6.9 Miles 4 Stations 16,700 Average Daily Boardings (2035) Total Capital Cost $1.2 $1.3B (2010$) Total Capital Cost $2.5B (YOE) Travel Time 13 minutes

18 SR 60 LRT Alternative Potential Maintenance Yard Sites Mission Junction, Los Angeles Existing Facility Under Construction, Monrovia

19 Construction of SR 60 LRT Alternative: Areas with Impacts Requiring Mitigation Refer to Draft EIS/EIR for locations and details of impacts and mitigations 19

20 Operation of SR 60 LRT Alternative: Areas with Impacts Requiring Mitigation Refer to Draft EIS/EIR for locations and details of impacts and mitigations 20

21 Washington Blvd. LRT Alternative 9.5 Miles 6 Stations 19,900 Average Daily Boardings (2035) Total Capital Cost $1.4 $1.7B (2010$) Total Capital Cost $2.8 $3.2B (YOE) Travel Time minutes

22 Washington Blvd. LRT Alternative Potential Maintenance Yard Sites Existing Facility Under Construction, Monrovia Walter L. Vail s 2000 Acre Track, Commerce Mission Junction, Los Angeles East of Allport Ave., Santa Fe Springs

23 Construction of Washington Blvd. LRT Alt.: Areas with Impacts Requiring Mitigation Refer to Draft EIS/EIR for locations and details of impacts and mitigations 23

24 Operation of Washington Blvd. LRT Alt.: Areas with Impacts Requiring Mitigation Refer to Draft EIS/EIR for locations and details of impacts and mitigations 24

25 Unavoidable Adverse Effects/Significant Impacts SR 60 LRT Alternative would have no unavoidable adverse effects/ significant impacts after implementation of mitigation measures Washington Boulevard LRT Alternative would have the following unavoidable adverse effects/ significant impacts: Transportation 16 intersections cannot be mitigated due to ROW constraints Community and Neighborhood Social and physical character altered along Garfield Avenue due to removal of community resources (i.e. Chinese Garden Restaurant and mature trees), an adverse effect would also remain after mitigation along Washington Blvd. Visual and Aesthetics Changes visual character of Garfield Avenue due to aerial guideway; shade and shadow impacts along Garfield Avenue between Via Campo and Whittier Blvd. Cumulative Impacts Considerable contribution to cumulative visual impacts and cumulative impacts on 16 intersections Refer to Draft EIS/EIR for locations and details of impacts and mitigations 25

26 SR 60 LRT Alternative Areas of Controversy/Issues to be Resolved Identify additional project funding Traffic impacts during construction and operation Construction impacts to residents and businesses Potential for future projects to impact the proposed project s ridership Coordinate with USEPA to address environmental concerns regarding the OII Superfund site Coordinate with USACE on location of the proposed Santa Anita Station and park and ride 26

27 Washington LRT Alternative Areas of Controversy/Issues to be Resolved Identify additional project funding Traffic impacts during construction and operation Construction impacts to residents and businesses Visual impacts to residential and business communities on Garfield Avenue Potential for future projects to impact the proposed project s ridership 27

28 How to Comment on the Draft EIS/EIR Comment verbally or submit a written comment at a public hearing Send a letter/written comments to: Laura Cornejo Metro One Gateway Plaza MS Los Angeles, CA Complete online comment form Send to eastsidephase2@metro.net NOTE: comments provided via Facebook & Twitter will not be considered part of official public comment Comments must be postmarked by 5:00 p.m. on October 21,

29 Locations Where Draft EIS/EIR can be Viewed 29

30 What We d Like to Hear From You Comments on the Draft EIS/EIR impacts or mitigation measures Additional questions you would like answered in the Final EIS/EIR Comments on any of the project alternatives Comments must be postmarked by 5:00 p.m. on October 21,

31 Important Dates to Remember August 22 nd October 21 st Public Review Period Initiates Public Review Period Closes November 13 th Board Meeting * *November Metro Board Meeting Potential action to identify a Locally Preferred Alternative. Initiation of the Final EIS is contingent upon having funding in place. 31

32 Today s Public Hearing Two minutes per speaker Three names called at a time; please line up and be prepared State your name clearly Speak clearly for court reporter Please be respectful of all speakers No response to comments tonight Each comment will be addressed in writing in the Final EIS/EIR 32