06 16 20 PWA_02_02 Exh2 - IS-MND

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L w FAIRVIEw BRIDGE REPLACEMENT AND STREET IMPROVEMENTS INITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION `J' (JTH STREET TO 16TH STREET) PROJECT MAY 2020 SANTA ANAL CALIFORNIA 8. Description of Project: The following describes the proposed Fairview Bridge Replacement and Street Improvements (9th Street to 16th Street) Project (Project) that is the subject of this Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) prepared pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The purpose of this IS/MND is to evaluate whether the proposed Project would result in any potential significant environmental effects. Project Purpose and Need. Fairview Street consists of a north/south major arterial located in the northwestern portion the City. South of 9th Street, Fairview Street provides three lanes in each direction that are reduced to two lanes in each direction north of 9th Street, across the existing four -lane bridge, to 16th Street. The Fairview Street segment between 9th Street and 16th Street is the only constraint for Fairview Street to be built out to its planned width of six lanes. This condition causes a traffic "bottleneck" during peak hours. In addition, there are no sidewalks, bikeways, or lighting on the existing bridge. Pedestrians and bicyclists currently use the roadway shoulder to cross the bridge. Additionally, the existing Fairview Street bridge has insufficient safety barriers and capacity to handle existing and projected traffic levels in the Project Area and is operating with the following deficiencies within the Project limits: • No sidewalks, bike lanes, center median or barrier, or lighting; and • Congestion on and around the existing bridge due to high traffic demands and a limited number of lanes relative to areas north and south of the bridge. The purpose of the proposed Project is to improve pedestrian/bicyclist safety and traffic flow on and in the vicinity of Fairview Street bridge. The following goals/objectives have been identified for the proposed Project: • Make the Fairview Street bridge design and capacity consistent with the Orange County Master Plan of Arterial Highways and the City of Santa Ana General Plan Circulation Element; and • Provide for adequate vehicular capacity and greater pedestrian and bike safety on Fairview Street bridge. As described below, the proposed Project would improve traffic flow and alleviate congestion in the study area. The proposed Project would also increase pedestrian safety at Fairview Street bridge by constructing new barrier rails, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, a raised median, and lighting on the proposed bridge structure. Project Description. The proposed Project includes replacing the Fairview Street bridge over the Santa Ana River and widening Fairview Street between 9th Street and 16th Street. The proposec Project would widen Fairview Street from two lanes in each direction to three lanes in each direction in Santa Ana (refer to Figures 1 and 2). The Fairview Street bridge would be replaced with a new six -lane bridge (three lanes in each direction), including a complete bridge deck with barrier rails, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, a raised median, and lighting. 1-2 R:\WKE1702\ISMND\Final ISMND\Fairview Street Bridge Final ISMND.docx (05/26/20)