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Department of Transportation recommending the Board:
1) Receive a presentation and update regarding the latest project designs for the Phase 1A - North Shingle Road Realignment, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) number 36104009, Phase 1B - Durock Road Realignment, CIP 36104008, and future widening of the overcrossing for US 50/ Ponderosa Road/ South Shingle Road Interchange Improvements, CIP 36104010;
2) Adopt the Addendum to the Initial Study/Mitigation Negative Declaration certified by the Board on March 10, 2020; and
3) Approve the Project as revised in the Addendum to the Initial Study/Mitigation Negative Declaration.
(District 4)
FUNDING: Funding for CIP 36104010 includes Road Fund (<1%), TIM - Zone 1-7 (2.3%), TIF - Highway 50 (3.7%), and To Be Determined (93.9% - see “Financial Impact”). A combination of 100% funding for CIP 36104009 and 36104008 includes Traffic Impact Mitigation Fees - Zone 1-7 (<1%), Traffic Impact Fees - Highway 50 (69%), Road Fund (<1%), State Transportation Improvement Program (28.9%), and Regional Surface Transportation Program - Caltrans Local Assistance (1.2%). (Local, State, and Federal Funds)
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On March 10, 2020 (Legistar file 19-1516), the Board adopted the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Initial Study with Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration/Environmental Assessment with Finding of No Significant Impact (IS/MND/EA/FONSI) for the US 50/ Ponderosa Road/ South Shingle Road Interchange Improvements Project (Project), CIP number 71333/36104010, which also includes these phases of the Project: US 50/ Ponderosa Road Interchange Phase 1A - North Shingle Road Realignment, CIP 36104009, US 50/ Ponderosa Road Interchange Phase 1B - Durock Road Realignment, CIP 36104008. 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 Purpose and Description: The Project will improve the interchange at Ponderosa Road and South Shingle Road and realign frontage roads at Durock Road and North Shingle Road in Shingle Springs, California. The purpose of the Project is five-fold:
1) Address an existing operations problem;
2) Improve Levels of Service (LOS);
3) Maintain adequate LOS for main-line operations and existing access points to and from Highway 50;
4) Improve multimodal mobility (e.g., bike and pedestrian) within and through the interchange; and
5) Provide for future traffic growth at this interchange, projected to occur from planned regional growth.
The Build Alternative 1 option was also approved by the Board and proposes to widen the existing bridge from three to five lanes. It includes road widening and realignments of North Shingle and Durock roads; widening the westbound on-ramps; providing acceleration/deceleration lanes at all ramps; adding turn pockets on the local roads at
ramp intersections; and adding square ramp junctions and islands to provide safety and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance for pedestrians and bicycles. Utility relocations will pursue an undergrounding option where feasible. Build Alternative 1 meets the purpose and need of the Project.
Progression on this Project includes finalizing preliminary designs for the realignment of Phase 1A and Phase 1B for North Shingle Road and Durock Road with Dokken Engineering, Transportation’s consultant on the Project. During this process, an addendum to the Project’s IS/MND has been prepared that includes the following:
1) Construction of roundabouts at the intersection of Ponderosa Road and North Shingle Road, and the at the intersection of South Shingle Road with Durock Road and Sunset Lane; and
2) Elimination of the park and ride lot on North Shingle Road where those parking spaces will be incorporated in the park and ride lot on Durock Road.
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;
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)]; and
3) Transportation Analysis Report and Intersection Control Evaluation approved by Caltrans.
The addendum provides a complete summary of these two (2) clarifications/revisions and do not constitute a substantial change to the Project; therefore, they do not require revisions to the IS/MND certified by the Board in 2020.
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)]. A public meeting was held on March 19, 2025 to provide updates of the Project, including the addendum.
The majority of the comments received from the public were positive reviews of the design, the Project is overdue for these improvements, and how soon can the Project be completed. Of the other comments received, most raised concerns about traffic, speed, and noise within the Project location. Potential right of way and access impact concerns at proposed new intersections and road realignments were raised by both residents and businesses. Safety concerns were expressed for the new pedestrian crossings and bicyclists within the Project area. Comments were also received regarding the number of trees to be removed and the Project potentially affecting drainage in the area.
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 IS/MND which could potentially delay and increase the overall cost of the Project.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
1) August 27, 2013 (Legistar file 13-0840): Approved Cooperative Agreement No. 03-03-0497 with Caltrans for the review and approval of the Project Study Report - Project Report for the Project.
2) February 11, 2014 (Legistar file 13-0082): Approved the advancement of the Project from the 20-year CIP to the 2013 CIP work plan.
3) May 8, 2018 (Legistar file 18-0568): Approved the formation of a new Underground Utility District in the area of Shingle Springs as part of the Project.
4) March 10, 2020 (Legistar file 19-1516): Adopted the CEQA and NEPA IS/MND/EA/FONSI for the Project.
5) May 17, 2022 (Legistar file 22-0533): Approved Cooperative Agreement No. 03-0786 with Caltrans for the Project Approval and Environmental Document, Plans, Specifications, and Estimate, and Right of Way phases of the Project.
6) February 27, 2024 (Legistar file 24-0017): Authorized ordering title reports and certified appraisals, enter into negotiations with the owners, or their designated representatives, and commence with the acquisition process for the Project.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Caltrans and County Counsel.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to net County cost associated with this item. Funding for the Project and its phases are included in Transportation’s 2024 Capital Improvement Program, which was approved by the Board on June 18, 2024 (Legistar file 24-0838).
The “Funding” section of the staff report indicates that 93.9% of the Project funding is “To Be Determined.” This is because the Project’s bridge replacement construction phase is scheduled in future years. Phase 1A and Phase 1B for North Shingle Road and Durock Road are fully funded through the construction phase.
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