Metro - File #: 2020-0135

• File #: 2020-0135
• Type: Agreement
• Status: Agenda Ready
• File created: 2/11/2020
• In control: Planning and Programming Committee
• On agenda: 3/18/2020
• Title: AUTHORIZE the CEO to execute a third-party Agreement with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and Mountain Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) to fund wetlands mitigation costs as stipulated in the Streambed Alteration Agreement associated with the implementation of the I-5 North Capacity Enhancements Project (the Project).
• Sponsors: Planning and Programming Committee
• Indexes: Castaic, Conservation, Construction, High occupancy vehicle lanes, I-5, I-5 N Enhance Sr14/Kern Cnty (Project), I-5 North County Capacity Enhancements, Interchanges, Measure M, Measure R, Metro Vision 2028 Plan, Mitigation, Payment, Plan, Program management, Project, Safety, San Fernando Valley subregion, Southern California Highways, SR-14, Strategic planning, Truck lanes, Trucking, Vehicle occupancy, Wildlife
• Related files: 2020-0220

Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
MARCH 18, 2020

Subject
SUBJECT: I-5 NORTH HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLE AND TRUCK LANES PROJECT FROM STATE ROUTE (SR)-14 to PARKER ROAD ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION AGREEMENT

Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS

Heading
RECOMMENDATION

Title
AUTHORIZE the CEO to execute a third-party Agreement with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and Mountain Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) to fund wetlands mitigation costs as stipulated in the Streambed Alteration Agreement associated with the implementation of the I-5 North Capacity Enhancements Project (the Project).

Issue
ISSUE

Pursuant to Section 1602 of the California Fish and Game Code, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) entered into a Streambed Alteration Agreement (#1600-2019-0008-R5, dated October 23, 2019) with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) outlining Caltrans' responsibility for mitigation of impacts of the Project on fish and wildlife. Through this agreement, Metro will pay MRCA through Caltrans. MRCA will implement restoration, preservation, and/or creation of habitat prior to project-related disturbance or vegetation removal.

BACKGROUND

Metro is the implementing agency for and will start construction of the I-5 HOV and truck lanes project (Project) between I-5/SR -14 Interchange in the City of Santa Clarita and Parker Road in Castaic area in early 2021 calendar year.

The Project has been identified as a regional priority project and is included in the Measure M Expenditure Plan. Upon implementation, the Project will extend the existing HOV lanes from the south of the I-5/SR-14 interchange to Castaic - a 14-mile extension to promote more high occupancy vehicles to reduce congestion. Extension of truck lanes will contribute to further separation of trucks from the automobile traffic for improved mobility and safety.



Discussion
DISCUSSION

As the owner/operator of the freew...