Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
MARCH 14, 2018
Subject
SUBJECT: EASTSIDE TRANSIT CORRIDOR PHASE 2 STATUS
UPDATE
Action
ACTION: RECEIVE ORAL UPDATE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE oral status update on Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project History
The Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 environmental study was initiated in 2007 with the Alternatives Analysis (AA) study in which 47 alternatives were studied. Through technical analysis and community input, the 47 alternatives were narrowed down to four Build alternatives in addition to the No Build and the Transportation Systems Management (TSM). The four Build alternatives were carried into an AA Addendum where additional technical screening was carried out. In 2009, the Board authorized staff to carry forward into the Draft EIS/EIR phase with the No Build, the TSM and two Build alternatives, SR 60 Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Washington Blvd LRT.
The Draft EIS/EIR phase was initiated in 2010. In addition to the No Build and TSM, two Build alternatives, SR 60 and Washington Blvd, were analyzed. To address technical issues, the SR 60 North Side Design Variation (SR 60 NSDV) was added. These alternatives were analyzed in coordination with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Project’s cooperating agencies. The DEIS/DEIR was released for an extended public comment period from August 22, 2014 through October 21, 2014.
In November 2014, the Board received the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 DEIS/DEIR and approved carrying forward two build alternatives - the SR 60 NSDV Alternative and the Washington Boulevard Alternative - into further study. Staff was directed to address comments received from cooperating and public agencies, identify an alternative to the Washington Boulevard Garfield Alternative aerial alignment, and analyze the feasibility of operating both alternatives. At the July 2015 meeting, the Board approved a contract modification to undertake this work including community outreach to support the Technical Study.
At the May 2017 meeting, the Board received the findings of the Technical Study and approved an updated Project Definition to include three (3) Build Alternatives:
• SR 60 North Side Design Variation (NSDV) Alternative,
• Washington Boulevard Alternative with Atlantic Boulevard below-grade option, and
• Combined Alternative defined as full build-out of the SR 60 NSDV and Washington Boulevard alignments.
Current Status
Measure M allocates $6 billion to the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project. Funding for this project, per Measure M’s funding schedule, has been programmed in two cycles. Cycle 1 allocates $3 billion in 2029, with an opening date of 2035 and Cycle 2 allocates $3 billion in 2053, with an opening date of 2057. One alignment has also been identified as an aspirational project schedule in the Twenty-Eight by ’28 project list.
The purpose of the draft environmental process is to identify the potential benefits and impacts of a project and to carry out the technical analysis to form the basis for the selection of a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA). It is the LPA which is then carried forward for final environmental clearance. To this end, procurement is underway to allow environmental work, that was previously put on hold, to continue.
Staff has developed the scope of services for three separate contracts to undertake the continuing project work: Supplemental/Reinitiated DEIS/DEIR, supporting Advance Conceptual Engineering (ACE) and Outreach services. This work is necessary as the project definition now includes elements that were not analyzed or engineered during the DEIS/DEIR phase. Status of each contract is as follows:
• Supplemental/Reinitiated DEIS/DEIR: Contract Modification to the existing CDM Smith/AECOM Joint Venture Contract under negotiations;
• Advanced Conceptual Engineering: Request for Proposals was released February 27, 2018; and
• Outreach: Request for Proposals will be released to the On-Call Communications Bench this month.
Staff anticipates returning to the Board early summer to award the environmental and ACE contracts.
Attachments
Attachment A - Project Area Map
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Laura Cornejo, DEO, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 922-2885
Dave Mieger, EO Countywide Planning & Development (213) 922-3040
Manjeet Ranu, Sr. EO Countywide Planning & Development (213) 418-3751
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Therese W. McMillan, Chief Planning Officer, (213) 922-7077