HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-05-26 - AGENDA REPORTS - VIA PRINCESSA EXTENSION (2)t F t
NEW BUSINESS
DATE:
SUBJECT:
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT 101
City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by: T. Brad Therrien
May 26, 1998
VIA PRINCESSA/MAGIC MOUNTAIN PARKWAY EXTENSION
THROUGH THE PORTA BELLA PROJECT AREA — STATUS REPORT
DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Engineering Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council receive and file the report and direct staff to continue working to advance the
project schedule.
BACKGROUND
The Magic Mountain ParkwayNia Princessa Extension was selected as the City's top priority
Capital Improvement project. The Community Strategic Plan strongly recommended a new
east -west arterial roadway across the valley. The project will consist of a new grade -
separated interchange at the intersection of Magic Mountain Parkway and San Fernando
Road (SR126) with a new bridge spanning San Fernando Road and the Los Angeles County
Metropolitan Transportation Authority railroad tracks. Approximately 4.5 miles of six -lane
arterial street with raised landscaped medians will extend east to connect with the existing
Via Princessa just west of Rainbow Glen Drive. The project will pass through the proposed
Porta Bella development, formerly the Whittaker Bermite Corporation property used for
manufacturing and testing rocket motors and fuels. The property is currently being cleaned
up as a requirement of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Project construction
is scheduled for completion in 2003 after closeout of the EPA cleanup and to coincide with the
completion of Porta Bella Phase 1.
Work Completed to Date —
ASL Consulting Engineers began work on the project in October 1996. In November and
December 1996, three public workshop meetings were held for residents and businesses
located in the vicinity of the project to receive input and comment on the project. Information
received at these meetings will be incorporated into the planning and design of the roadway.
There are several distinct elements required for project completion:
Preparation and approval by Caltrans of a Project Study Report, the first step in the
project development process, for that portion of the project within State right-of-way.
The Project Study Report was approved in January 1998.
�1pp�Od�D Avenda Item: ��
f .
J
VIA PRINCESSA/MAGIC MOUNTAIN PARKWAY EXTENSION
May 26, 1998 —Page 2
Preparation and approval by the City of a Corridor Alignment Study for that portion
of the project between the Magic Mountain Parkway/San Fernando Road interchange
and the west limit of Porta Bella, and that portion of the project from the east limit of
Porta Bella to Rainbow Glen Drive. The Corridor Alignment Report was submitted
and approved in July 1997.
Preparation and approval by Caltrans of a Project Report, the second step in the
project development process, for that portion of the project within the State right-of-
way. The Draft Project Report was submitted and approved by Caltrans with
comments in February 1998,
Preparation of an environmental document to meet the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA). A public scoping meeting was held in March 1997 to solicit
input and comments regarding project environmental issues. A Draft Environmental
Impact Report/Environmental Assessment (EIR/EA) was submitted to Caltrans and
the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in July 1997. The document was
reviewed by Caltrans and forwarded to FHWA for review. In October 1997, FHWA
advised the City that an EIR/EA would not be adequate to environmentally clear the
entire project, and requested that an Environmental Impact Report/Environmental
Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) be prepared. The Draft EIR/EIS was submitted to
Caltrans for review in February 1998. Meetings and discussion are currently being
held with Caltrans and FHWA to address the Draft EIR/EIS comments. Approval of
the environmental document is anticipated by December 1998.
Work to be Completed —
The final .step in the project development process, before actual construction begins, is
preparation of the plans, specifications, estimates, and contract documents required
to bid and award a construction contract. ASL anticipates completion of this phase in
late 1999 or early 2000. No work has been started on this element of the project.
Construction is estimated to take two years, with completion anticipated in 2003.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
No alternative actions have been specifically identified.
FISCAL IMPACT
Once complete, the entire project is anticipated to cost approximately $45 million. It will
provide a much-needed additional artery across the City.
TBT:CCP:mmn
Council \ magprin2.doc