HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-08-25 - AGENDA REPORTS - ROUTE 126 EIR (2)NEW BUSINESS
DATE: August 25, 1992
City Manager Approval
Item to be presented by:
Lynn M. Harris
SUBJECT: PROPOSED ROUTE 126 -DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTSTATEMENTAND
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
BACKGROUND
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), in cooperation with the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA), is conducting a Route Location Study of alternative locations for a future
controlled access facility between Interstate 5 (1.5) at Castaic Junction and State Route 14 (SR -14)
near Via Princessa, a distance of about 9 miles, in the City of Santa Clarita and vicinity. State Route
126 (SR -126) currently exists as a conventional 2 and 4 -lane highway between 1.5 and SR -14 as
Magic Mountain Parkway and San Fernando Road. After construction of the new SR -126 alignment,
the existing roadways would be relinquished to the local jurisdictions.
A route location between 1-5 and SR -14 was adopted in 1963 but rescinded by Caltrans in 1980. For
the last several years, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has been developing
an expressway corridor and acquiring right-of-way by dedication as development opcurs.
The current route location studies will culminate in a Tier 1 environmental document and project
report leading to a route adoption by the California Transportation Commission (CTC). Alternatives
being considered are for a controlled access facility on new or existing roadways as shown on the
attached map. Both a north and a south corridor alternative are being studied. The no -build
alternative is also being evaluated. The analyses have utilized the population and employment
forecasts for the year 2010.
The Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report was prepared
and distributed to various agencies for their comments. Caltrans held a Public Hearing on July 22,
1992 in the City of Santa Clarita Council Chambers to receive the residents' comments and
testimonies.
The required date to receive all comments was originally set on August 28, 1992. As a result of the
recent requests from the City and also the Federal Highway Administration, the date has been
extended to September 14, 1992. Due to increased citizen awareness and concern, the City
requested and received approval from Caltrans for an additional public meeting to beholdin the
City Council Chambers on August 27, 1992 for more presentations of the project and to receive
additional comments.
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Page 2
A number of residents potentially impacted by the project have requested the City's assistance in
obtaining a further extension on the environmental document review period until October 14, 1992
to allow sufficient time for them to adequately review the document.
RECOMMENDATION
1) Authorize staff to formally request from the California Department of Transportation a second
extension (October 14, 1992) for forwarding the comments on the Tier 1 Draft Environmental
Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report.
2) Request the City Manager to work with the Citizens Transportation Committee for further
community input.
ATTACHMENT
Study Area Map
environ.rjr/hds
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SOURCE PARSONS BRINCKERHOFF, 189E /
ROUTE 126 LOCATION STUDY IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY (BETWEEN 1.5 AND SR 14)
STUDY AREA MAP