Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 20, 2021
Subject
SUBJECT: LINK UNION STATION (LINK US) PROJECT
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
CONSIDER:
A. APPROVING Addendum No.1 to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR); and
B. ADOPTING a Revised Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan (MMRP) (Attachment A).
Issue
ISSUE
On July 1, 2020, new CEQA Guidelines have been implemented statewide pursuant to the requirements of Senate Bill (SB) 743, which requires assessment of transportation impacts using a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) analysis approach. An updated transportation analysis for the Link US Project was prepared using the VMT analysis approach with applicable revisions to the Mitigation Monitoring Report Program (MMRP). Staff is requesting approval of Addendum No. 1 to the CEQA FEIR with a new VMT analysis along with design modifications to the FEIR Project resulting in no new impacts and no significant impacts other than those previously documented in the Link US Project FEIR, which was certified by the Metro Board of Directors in June 2019.
Background
BACKGROUND
The Link US Project will transform how the commuter and intercity rail operates in Southern California with run-through capability at Los Angeles Union Station (LAUS) providing one-seat rides from San Luis Obispo to San Diego, increasing commuter and intercity rail services, and accommodating future high-speed rail service.
The Link US Project is planned to be implemented in two phases:
> Phase A would include constructing the full viaduct structure over the US-101 freeway that accommodates up to nine (9) new run-through tracks, track, signal, and communication work in the throat area, run through platform, quiet zone ready improvements at Main Street grade crossing and active transportation improvements.
> Phase B would include raising of the rail yard up to 15 feet for the run-...
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