Title
Department of Transportation recommending the Board take the following actions related to the US 50/ Latrobe Road/ El Dorado Hills Boulevard Interchange Improvements - Phase 2B, Capital Improvement Program project number 71323/36104001:
1) Receive a presentation and update regarding the project;
2) Adopt Addendum 4 to the Final Environmental Impact Report certified by the Board of Supervisors on July 22, 2003; and
3) Approve the project as revised in the Addendum to the Environmental Impact Report.
(District 1)
FUNDING: Traffic Impact Fees - Zone C Local Roads (31%), Coronavirus Response and Relief Funds (4%), and State Transportation Improvement Program Funds (65%). (Local and State Funds)
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On July 22, 2003, the Board adopted the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Impact Report/ Environmental Assessment (EIR) for the US 50/ Latrobe Road/ El Dorado Hills Boulevard Interchange Improvements - Phase 2B Project (Project), CIP number 71323/36104001. Addendums No. 1, 2, and 3 were adopted between 2005 and 2012. The County is the CEQA lead agency, while California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is the NEPA lead agency. It was determined that there is no substantial evidence that the Project, as mitigated, will have a significant effect on the environment.
Project Background:
A Draft EIR (SCH #98072050) was certified for the Project on May 11, 2000, and the Board adopted the EIR on July 22, 2003. Complete reconstruction of the Project was phased to align improvement needs, construction staging, and available funding.
Three (3) addendums to the EIR have been approved:
• Addendum No. 1, approved by the Board on April 19, 2005, covered changes to Phase 1 which has been constructed.
• Addendum No. 2 created two sub phases, Phase 2A and 2B, and addressed Project elements which were modified and constructed under Phase 2A. The original Phase 2B of the Project, as described in the second EIR addendum approved in 2008, included all the remaining features identified in the Draft EIR including ramp modification at all four quadrants. Due to funding limitations, Phase 2B was divided into two sub phases, Phase 2B.1 and 2B.2.
• Addendum No. 3 created minor modifications to Phase 2B.1 and this phase segregates the westbound on- and off-ramps from the eastbound on- and off-ramps and was constructed in 2014.
Phase 2B.2 was proposed to address remaining eastbound on and off ramp improvements left to complete the ultimate interchange project as defined by the 2003 EIR. Phase 2B.2 was proposed to be constructed in the future due to funding limitations.
Project Purpose and Description: This Project is the next phase, final quadrant, to be constructed (Phase 2B.2), and its purpose is to:
1) Include reconstruction and widening of the eastbound loop off-ramp and reconstruction and widening of the eastbound diagonal on-ramp to two (2) lanes with ramp metering;
2) Add a lane to northbound El Dorado Hills Boulevard from Town Center Drive to the U.S. Highway 50 overpass (eliminates merge lane and improves traffic flow from the eastbound loop off-ramp) and add a dedicated right turn lane at Saratoga Way;
3) Multi-model improvements consisting of a Class 1 path will be constructed adjacent to the eastern shoulder of El Dorado Hills Boulevard and Latrobe Road from Town Center Drive to Saratoga Way with a concrete barrier separating the path from vehicular traffic;
4) Additional drainage improvements, retaining walls, and modification of the Carson Creek culvert are anticipated adjacent to the eastbound on-ramp; and
5) Utility relocations may also potentially be required.
Other project features not previously included in the EIR and in Addendum No. 4, include a retaining wall, modifications of the Carson Creek culvert adjacent to the eastbound on-ramp, and minor structural support for the Class I path.
Addendum No. 4 provides a complete summary of these minor changes and additions and do not constitute a substantial change to the Project; therefore, they do not require a supplement EIR to the Project’s EIR certified by the Board in 2003.
These changes were based on the following findings:
1) CEQA Guidelines Section 15164, subd. (a) allows lead agencies to prepare an addendum to a previously certified EIR or Negative Declaration if some changes or additions are necessary; and
2) None of the conditions described in CEQA Guidelines Section 15162 calling for preparation of a subsequent EIR or Negative Declaration have occurred [CEQA Guidelines, Section 15164, subd. (a)].
Public Involvement: An addendum need not be circulated for public review but can be included in or attached to the Final EIR or Negative Declaration [CEQA Guidelines Section 15164, subd. (c)]. The El Dorado Hills Area Planning Advisory Committee (APAC) held a public meeting on March 12, 2025, and Transportation provided updates to the Project, including Addendum No. 4. Positive support and comments were received from APAC members and the public who attended.
ALTERNATIVES
1) The Board could choose to direct staff to design other details for the final design of the Project and return to the Board at a later date which could potentially delay the Project.
2) The Board could choose not to approve the Addendum to the EIR which could potentially delay and increase the overall cost of the Project.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
1) August 26, 2008 (Legistar file 08-1269, version 1): Approved Addendum No. 2 to the EIR.
2) February 28, 2012 (Legistar file 08-1269, version 2): Approved Addendum No. 3 to the EIR.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Caltrans and County Counsel.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Receive project presentation and update and approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to net County cost associated with this item. Funding for the Project is included in Transportation’s 2024 Capital Improvement Program, which was approved by the Board on June 18, 2024 (Legistar file 24-0838).
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
TRANSPORTATION FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Transportation will file a Notice of Determination with the County Recorder/Clerk’s office for the Addendum.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Priority: N/A
Action Item: N/A
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Department of Transportation