Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 17, 2016
Subject/Action
SUBJECT: EASTSIDE PHASE 2 UPDATE (OPERATION SHOVEL READY)
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE AND FILE report in response to the Metro Board July 23, 2015 directive to provide bi-monthly updates on the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Technical Study and Community Outreach.
Issue
ISSUE
In November 2014, the Board received the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Report (EIS/EIR) and approved carrying forward two build alternatives, the SR 60 North Side Design Variation (NSDV) and the Washington Boulevard Alternatives into further study. Staff was directed to address comments received from Cooperating and Public Agencies, identify an alternative to the Washington Blvd. via Garfield Alternative and analyze the feasibility of operating both alternatives.
At the July 23, 2015 meeting, the Board approved Contract Modification No. 12 for the Metro Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project, Alternatives Analysis (AA), Environmental Clearance, and Conceptual Engineering Consultant Services to undertake this work effort and Contract Modification No. 11 for community outreach in support of the Technical Study. With the approval of the contract modifications, the Board directed staff to provide bi-monthly updates on: (1) the project’s contractual scope of work and description of the task order for the technical study; (2) the project’s schedule and milestones for both the technical analysis and environmental planning process for all alternatives under consideration and study; and (3) bi-monthly updates on the project’s schedule, progress reports and community outreach schedule and meeting results, including concerns raised by stakeholders (Attachment A). This report provides the requested bi-monthly update in response to the Board’s direction.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Contractual Scope of Work
The technical scope consists of three major work elements: investigations to address comments raised by Cooperating and Participating Agencies on the Draft EIS/EIR, identification of an alternative connection to Washington Blvd, and a feasibility assessment of operating both alternatives. The technical study will also include a cost containment strategy that identifies potential phasing options. The outreach scope consists of regular engagement with project stakeholders, including the SR 60 and Washington Boulevard Coalitions, and providing updates to the communities in the project area.
Project Schedule and Milestones
The major work elements described above will result in several key project milestones summarized below.
The Technical Study will address comments received from the Cooperating agencies and the November 2014 Board direction. It will also identify any necessary updates to the Draft EIS/EIR. Therefore, environmental clearance can be re-initiated upon Board approval of the Technical Study. Depending upon the results of the Technical Study and the degree of project scope change, the Draft EIS/EIR may require re-circulation. At that time, staff will be able to determine the impact, if any, to the Final EIS/EIR schedule. During the re-initiation, staff will consult with FTA on the environmental path forward.
The target completion date for the Analysis of New Alternative Connections to Washington Blvd has been moved from Q2 FY16 to Q3 FY16. This is necessary to accommodate stakeholder and community outreach meetings. The change does not impact the overall schedule.
Progress Report
Since the last Board update, the project team has made progress on the investigations to address comments provided by several Cooperating Agencies, including the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the United States Army Corp of Engineers (USACE), Southern California Edison (SCE), and State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
SR 60 Corridor Investigations
EPA has reviewed and approved the geophysical survey work adjacent to the Operating Industries, Inc. (OII) Superfund site, which was completed earlier this month. The SCE topographic survey work is complete. Caltrans has provided valuable input to inform the alignment refinements along the SR 60 NSDV segment near Paramount Blvd.
Washington N-S Connection Study
The Project Team has also identified several potential north-south alternatives to Washington Blvd, which were developed based on extensive feedback from the Washington Blvd. Coalition, elected officials and project stakeholders. The process started with 27 alignments options, which were screened down to three based on factors such as physical feasibility, proximity to major activity centers, and consistency with community goals. The alignments for the north-south alternatives, shown in Attachment B, are undergoing further technical analysis, which includes considerations such as cost, ridership, operability and traffic/circulation impacts. Upon completion of the Study, staff anticipates carrying two alternatives into more detailed engineering and technical analysis. These two alternatives will be brought to the Metro Board for consideration.
Staff continues to meet monthly with both Coalitions to provide updates on the technical work underway, discuss project issues and provide a look-ahead. In January 2016, the Study Team provided updates to both Coalitions and met with numerous community groups along the corridor to receive feedback on the project alternatives. Attachment C summarizes progress completed to date and shows that the project is on schedule.
West Santa Ana Branch (WSAB) - Eastside Phase 2 Connection Study
Staff issued a Notice to Proceed on the WSAB - Eastside Phase 2 Connection Study in November 2015. The Eastside Phase 2 Transit Corridor Study team is coordinating closely with the WSAB- Eastside Phase 2 Connection Study team, and is developing alternatives in a manner that does not preclude potential connectivity to the WSAB project. Both study efforts will be closely coordinated going forward.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Staff will continue to work on the Technical Study and conduct stakeholder outreach. It is anticipated that the proposed north south alternative connections for Washington Boulevard will be presented to the Board for consideration in April 2016. Staff will continue coordinating with the WSAB Connection Study team.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - July Board Motion
Attachment B - Map of North/South Alignment Concepts for Washington Blvd
Attachment C - Project Schedule
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Eugene Kim, Deputy Executive Officer, (213) 922-3080
David Mieger, Executive Officer, (213) 922-3040
Renee Berlin, Managing Executive Officer, (213) 922-3035
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Calvin E. Hollis, Interim Chief Planning Officer, (213) 922-7319
