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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 05241988 - S.12 i S12 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Order on May 24, 1988 by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Fanden, Torlakson and Schroder NOES: None ABSENT: Supervisors Powers and McPeak ABSTAIN: None SUBJECT: F/S:I-680 Rudgear to I-580 The following item was brought to the attention of the Board after the agenda for this meeting was posted. The Board members present unamimously agreed on the need to take action. As recommended by Supervisor Torlakson, Chair of the Board' s Transportation Committee, IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that a letter be sent over his signature to the District 4 Director ' of the State Department of Transportation in San Francisco, submitting comments the F/S:I-680 Rudgear to I-580 project. I hecbay ces`ify that this Is a truer and Corrsct copy of *n action taken and entered on the minulas of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: 'gC T. _/_q I?_ PHIL BATCHELOR, 41ert of the Boerd cc: Public Works (M. Shu) of Supervisors and County Administralor sy`1 Depuly Phil Batchelor The Board of Supervisors Contra Clerk of Board and County Administration Building Costa Countya3Administrator71 651 Pine St., Room 106 County Martinez, California 94553 Tom Powers, let District Nair C.Fslydsn,2nd District "` Robert 1.Schroder,3rd District Sw"Wrk"McPwk,Ott+District rf:; May 23, 1988 Tom Torlakson,Sth District Mr. Burch C. Bachtold RE:4:F/S:I-680 District 04 Director Rudgear to I-580 Department of Transportation P. O. Box 7310 San Francisco, CA 94120 Dear Mr. Bachtold: Contra Costa County supports the proposed project. This project, even though not part of the I-680/24 interchange modification project, is an integral part of the I-680 corridor improvements from the City of Fremont to the Martinez-Benicia Bridge. Under the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Air Act, the San Francisco Bay Area is a non-attainment area. Tie Bay Area Air Quality Management District and the Enviromnental Protection Agency have suggested ways to comply with the Act. One method is to reduce the total vehicular miles traveled in the region. Contra Costa County has adopted a Transportation System Management Ordinance which mandates employers to reduce peak hour traffic. As part of the County's traffic management strategy, and in line with Governor Deukmejian's State of the State Address, we strongly urge that the proposed additional traffic lane in each direction be designated as a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane during peak periods. The proposed HOV lanes are desirable in the area. To further encourage their use, two elements are crucial to their success: 1) allow vehicles carrying two or more persons to use the HOV lanes; and 2) provide' Park-and-Ride lots at various locations along the corridor. We recoaunend lots at the Bollinger Canyon Road and Sycamore Valley Road interchanges be incorporated as part of this project. Soundwalls are proposed to be constructed at various locations along the length of the project to mitigate traffic noise. We recommend that they be constructed as the first order of ' work to decrease the effects of construction noise. Mr. Bachtold May 25, 1988 Page Two The addition of a lane in each direction will substantially reduce the existing median area and will, effectively, eliminate the area available for median landscaping. This loss, coupled with the soundwalls, will create the visual effect of a tunnel. To mitigate the combined effect, replacement landscaping should be installed. Since landscaping along the soundwalls could be costly, we recommend installation at interchanges where it will be highly visible and will contribute. to the adjacent community. A recent operations analysis on I-680 identified the inclusion of additional lanes) in the southbound direction as crucial to the corridor. Why weren't these auxiliary lanes incorporated in the proposed project? Since California is spending over $200 million to improve the I-680 corridor, it seems logical to program the nominal amount for auxiliary lane(s) on this corridor to make the improvement complete. We appreciate the chance to comment on this project. Contra Costa County supports the Negative Declaration with the accompanying mitigation measures described in the Negative Declaration and in this letter. Should you have any questions, please feel free to call Michael Walford, Public Works Director, or Maurice Shiu, Assistant Public Works Director, at 646-4470. Very truly yours, Tom Torlakson Supervisor, District V Chair, Transportation Committee Tr:TML lv I680.t5 cc: Supervisor N. Fanden Supervisor S. McPeak Supervisor T. Powers Supervisor R. Schroder P. Batchelor, County Administrator J.M. Walford, Public Works Director M. Shiu, Public Works R. Chung, Com unity Development