Title
Transportation Department recommending the Board take the following actions pertaining to the Pleasant Valley Road at Oak Hill Road Intersection Improvements Project:
1) Adopt the California Environmental Quality Act Negative Declaration;
2) Adopt the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program;
3) Approve the project as described in the California Environmental Quality Act document; and
4) Authorize Department staff to proceed with any right-of-way acquisitions necessary to construct the project .
FUNDING: Highway Safety Improvement Program Grant, Traffic Impact Mitigation Fee Program.
Body
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost:
Approval of this Mitigated Negative Declaration will not result in any fiscal impact. There are no General Fund or Road Fund monies associated with this Project.
Recommended Findings:
A. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) document on file with the Clerk of the Board was prepared in accordance with CEQA, Public Resources Code Sections 21000 et seq., and the CEQA Guidelines.
B. There is no substantial evidence that raises a fair argument that the project, as mitigated, will have a significant effect on the environment.
C. The Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the Pleasant Valley Road at Oak Hill Road Intersection Improvements Project reflects the lead agencys independent judgment and analysis.
Background:
Project Location: The proposed project is located at the intersection of Pleasant Valley Road and Oak Hill Road, approximately 2.7 miles east of the town of Diamond Springs in El Dorado County. (See Figures 1, 2 and 3, as well as a more detailed description in the MND document available on the Department website <<http://www.co.el-dorado.ca.us/DOT/ceqa.html>> .
Purpose of Project: This project is needed to address traffic safety issues at the Pleasant Valley Road and Oak Hill Road intersection. This project was awarded Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funding due to a higher than average accident rate. Factors contributing to traffic accidents through this intersection include high speeds through a partially stop signed intersection, existing tight radius curve, potential site distance issues, high traffic volumes in this corridor, lack of proper hard surfaced shoulders and lack of left/right turn lanes along a corridor with many business and residential driveway encroachments coming off the major roadway. Approximately seventy-four percent (74%) of the accidents in this section of Pleasant Valley Road are rear-end type collisions.
By adding a left turn lane, widening the shoulders, realigning the Pleasant Valley Road leg, and improving sight distance at the Project intersection, El Dorado County anticipates greatly improved safety at this intersection and that the number of collisions in this corridor will diminish.
Project Description: Project improvements will include widening of the shoulders; the addition of turn pockets or a two-way left turn lane, grading and paving, drainage improvements and minor landscaping.The total Project Area consists of approximately 2,400 feet of Pleasant Valley Road and a short segment of Oak Hill Road. A more detailed project description is included in Section 3 of the Initial Study/Mitigation Negative Declaration (IS/MND) document.
Project Construction: The Department would retain a construction contractor who would be responsible for compliance with all applicable rules, regulations and ordinances associated with construction activities and for implementation of the adopted construction-related mitigation measures. Construction is proposed to commence spring 2011, depending upon timing of funding availability, and would require approximately three months to complete. A traffic management plan will be required that will include construction staging and traffic control measures to maintain and minimize impacts to traffic during construction. Minor stoppages or delays may be necessary but full road closure will not occur.
Mitigation Measures: One Mitigation measure was added to the Project to reduce potential impacts to less than significant.The Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan identifies who is responsible for implementation.
Reason for Recommendation:
Agency and Public Notification: The Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration was advertised in the Mountain Democrat, the entire document was posted on the Department website, and hard copies were available at the Department offices.The review period began on January 20, 2010 and ended on February 22, 2010. Individual notices were sent to those directly affected and to affected agencies. County Counsel reviewed the document with no comments.
Comments Received: No Comments were received with concerns or questions.
Action to be taken by Department following Board approval:
1) A Notice of Determination will be filed with the office of the County Recorder/Clerk.
2) Department staff will proceed with the project through completion of the plans, specifications and estimates, and right-of-way acquisition process as funding becomes available.
Contact: James W. Ware, P.E.
Director of Transportation
Concurrences: County Counsel