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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 01282003 - D2 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Contra FROM: DENNIS M. BARRY, AICP COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Costa DATE: January 23, 2003 sr �" County NL SUBJECT: THE CALDECOTT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR 1`2ECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS AUTHORIZE the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign a leer transmitting a response to the California Department of Transportation on their Notice of Preparation for an environmental document on the Caldecott Improvement Project (see Exhibit A). FISCAL IMPACT None. BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS On December 3, 2002, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) issued a Notice of Preparation fora combined Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report on the Caldecott Improvement Project. This activity involves decisions on the level of improvements needed at the Caldecott Tunnel and the surrounding roadways. Caltrans has requested that interested public agencies,jurisdictions and members of the public provide comments on the scope of work for the environmental analysis by January 30, 2003. To ensure that the issues and interests of Contra Costa County are addressed regarding this project Community Development and Public Works staff members have prepared a draft comment letter to Caltrans regarding additional information that is pertinent to the scope of work for this project. This comment letter is consistent with guidance e provided by the Board through our General Plan and our participation in Route 24 Corridor Study completed by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in January of 2001. For additional background on this project, Caltrans staff has been invited to mare a brief presentation to the Board at your January 23 meeting. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATUR ��RECOMIVIENDATION OF COUNTY 75ZI ISTRATOR REENDATION OF BOARD COMMIT T f RC OTHER ACTION I LOARD ON January 28,_2003 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED ..y... OTHER X **See attached addendum for Board action** VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE x UNANIMOUS (ABSENT None ) AND CORRECT COPY OF All ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE SENT: ABSTAIN: BOARD CE SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE AB - SkIClfuNa Contact: Hillary Heard (925/335-1278) ATTESTED january 28, wo3 cc: Community Development Department (CDD) JOHN SWEETEN, CLERK C Public Works Department THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR DEPUTY GATransDortabon\HH1arv\Board Orders and Greer:estCraft\Caltrans Burd order.doc 2)_ The Board of Supervisors ° John Sweeten Clark of the ward �d County Admirisfrafior Building County Administrator "a5# Pini Street, doom '106 Uosta {925)335-1900 sV#arfirex, Califorrfa 0,4553-9293 Count John Gioia, ;sf District Gayle S.Ullkerna,2nd District Donna Gerber,arc#Disfr;ct Mark De>aulnler,4th District Federal D.Glover,5th District �! January 28, 2003 Cristina l~erraz, Project Manager Department of Transportation,District 4 P.O. Box 23660 Oakland, CA 94623-0660 Ms. Ferraz, This letter is intended to provide our response to the Notice of Preparation for the combined Environmental Impact statement and Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Caldecott Improvement Project. It includes our comments and input regarding the information that should be included in the scope of the'environmental analysis for this project. The Board of Supervisors would also lire to express their continued interest to study efforts along this corridor that have the potential to alleviate both traffic congestion in addition to managing growth within Contra Costa County. At the agency-scoping meeting on December 3, 2€302 staff had the opportunity to review the proposed project and respond to the various elements of the study that will be included in the scope of the environmental review. The Board of supervisors also received a presentation: on the project by Caltrans staff on January 28, 2003. Based on the scoping meeting and the board presentation we offer the following comments. It The study should examine what affects the additional tunnel capacity will have on the operation l- 680 (South) through the San Damon Valley. Specifically if there is a potential that the additional capacity could cause existing downstream congestion on this route to worsen and if so outline what measures wouldbe proposed to:Mitigate these impacts, The study should evaluate the need for ramp metering. There may be a need to address potential freeway and local road operational issues associated with the Project. Given the fact that the bottleneck that now results in traffic delays will potentially be removed by the additional tunnel capacity, ramp metering may or may not assist with management of the increased traffic flows along the affected corridors. Ramp metering may improve freeway operations, but could negatively impact local roads. The scope of the study should consider Trow HOV lanes, enhanced transit service and the addition of Park &fide facilities could be integrated into the project. State Route 24 has grades on it that affect the movement of heavy truck traffic. The long-terra forecasts of this study should include trach traffic and the potential increased use of this route by trucks in the future and the<r impacts on congestion levels. Ms.Ferraz setter January 28,2003 Page 2 of 2 The Claremont Tunnel is an existing turinel that travels 130 feet underground transporting water from the E13MUD Nater Treatment Plant in Orinda to residents in the Oakland/Berkley Hills. The tunnea is currently under going seismic upgrades and improvements. The scope of the study should take into consideration the location of this tunnel given its proximity',to the project area and measures should be taken avoid any impacts to this water system. It would be beneficial if an ongoing forum to discuss the issues affecting the tunnel and the corridors it serves were created out of the scoping process. This forum would help address the interest of the numerous cities and the two counties that are affected by this important project, and would help in the preparation of a complete and adequate environmental document. Please call Hillary Heard of the Community Development Department, 925-335-1278, if you have any questions regarding this response. Sincerely, Mark DeSaulnier Chair,Board of Supervisors /HH:rnIk cc: Members,Board of Supervisors `;lerk of the Board' CAO M. Sbiu,CC?wD G:\'rranspartation\4illaty\setters\Draft\Caideott.unnet draft.rev.dac ADDENDUM TO ITEM D.2 January 28, 2403 The Board of Supervisors considered the recommendations from the Community Development Department requesting a letter to be authorized by the Chair of the Board of Supervisors, transmitting a response to the California Department of Transportation on their Notice of Preparation for an environmental document on the Caldecott Improvement Project. Hillary Heard, Community Development Department presented the staff report and recommendations. After board discussion.,the Chair then invited the public to address the Board on this matter. There were no requests to spew. The matter was returned to the Board. Supervisor Gioia asked that on the third bullet paragraph., line 4, remove the word "in". He also requested the letter include what impact this project would have on the Caldecott Water supply. Supervisor Uilkema requested on the second bullet paragraph, line 1,change the wording to read "The Study should evaluate the need for ramp metering. There maybe a need to address potential freeway operational issues associated with the project. " In addition,the sentence where it states, "ramp metering could assist"change to "ramp metering may or may not assist". In reference to Supervisor Uilkema's modification to the sentence"There may be a need to address potential freeway operational issues associated with the project", supervisor Gerber requested that sentence be modified to say"There may be a need to address potential freeway and local road operational issues associated with the project."Supervisor Uil ema accepted that,modification. In regards to the third bullet paragraph where it states,"Priority should be given to the addition to H€V lanes", Supervisor Gerber requested modifying the sentence so that there is no specific reference to prioritizing one aspect of the project over another. The Board then took the following action: DIRECTED the Community Development Department staff to re-draft a letter with the direction and comments of the Board of supervisors today to Caltrans,responding to the Notice of Preparation for the Environmental Impact Report on the Caldecott improvement Project; AUTHORIZED the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign the final letter to Caltrans by the deadline on January 31,2003. The Board of SupervisorsContra John Sweeten Clerk of dhe Boa d and County Administration Building C County Administrator 651 Fine Street, Room 106 o gg# (325)335-1900 Martinez,Caii#ornia 54553-1283 C n-L John Glols,1st District Gayle B.Ullkerna,2nd District Donna Gerber,3rd District Mark De auPnier,4th District Federal D.Gio'ver,5th District � January 28, 2003 CristinaFerraz, Project Manager Depat-tnnent of Transportation,District 4 P.O. Box 23660 Oakland, CA 94623-0660 Ms. Perraz, This letter is intended to provide our response to the Notice of Preparation for the corr_bined Enviromm. ental hripact Statement and Environmental hnpact Deport for the proposed Caldecott improvement. Project. It includes our cor nents and input regarding the information that should be included in the scope of the environmental analysis for this project. At the agency-scoping meeting on December 3, 2002 star'had the opportunity to review the proposed project and respond to the various elements of the study that will be included in the scope of the environrmental review. After reviewing the material presented and through discussions with staff at `UalTrans there are several comments that.reflect additional elements, which should he considered within the scope of this study. • The study should exaanine what affects the additional capacity the tunnel will have on the operation I-680 (South) through. the San Ramon Malley. Specifically if there is a potential that the additional capacity could cause existing downstream congestion on this route to worsen and if so outline what measures would be proposed to mitigate these impacts. 0 , • The study should evaluate the need for ramp meteringtto -address potential-freeway operational issuesz..associated-with,the Project:-. riven the fact that the bottleneck that now results in traffic delays will potentially be removed by the additional tunanel capacity, ramp meterinassist with management of the increased traffic flows along the affected corridors.' • The scope of the study should consider how HOV lanes, enhanced transit service and the addition of park cit, Ride facilities could be integrated into the project. Priority should be giver. to the addition of HOV lanes. The enhancement of these :facilities and services should not only be considered in wit°ain the project alternatives but they should also be integrated into the project as a whole.. is State Route 24 has grades or. it that affect the movement of heavy truck traffic. The long-ten-m, forecasts of this study should include truck traffic and the potential increased use of this route by trucks in the future and their impacts on congestion levels. A Ms. Fer az Letter January 28,2003 Page 2 of 2 It would be beneficial if an ongoing forum to discuss the issues affecting the tunnel and the corridors it serves were created out of the scoping process. This forum would help address the interest of the nurnerous cities and the two counties that are affected by this importation project, and would help in the preparation of a complete and adequate environmental document, :Tease call Hillary Heard of the Community Development Department, 925-335-1278, if you have any questions regarding this response. Sincerely, Mark DeSaulnler Chair,Board of Supervisors Cc: Members,Board of Supervisors Clerk of the Board CAO A Shia,CCPwD Ci:\Transportation\Hillary\Letters\Draft\Caldcott tunnel draftrev.doc