2009-034 (2) - Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report for Fairhaven/Lincoln

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3. Project Description relocation of railroad safety facilities. Changes to the road right-of-way at this intersects inadequate turn radii for large trucks making a left turn on resulted an 0 from westbound Fairhaven Avenue to southbound Lincoln Avenue, Some trucks were unable to complete the turn, which created an unsafe condition vehicles on the tracks. As a result, in 20 the i of � with May t Santa Ana closed Lincoln Avenue to all traffic from Fairhaven Avenue to Park Lane until this safety issue is resolved. An additional safety issue exists at the intersection of Santa Clara Avenue and Lincoln Avenue and Santa Mara Avenue and the at -grade railroad crossing, The Santa Mara Avenue and Linooln Avenge intersection currently controlled by a four - way stop where westbound Santa Mara Avenue rnotori is st are required # stop prior to the railroad crossing. Stopped motorists and pedestrian bicycl'i is do not have an unobstructed view of trains approaching from either the north or the south or Lincoln Avenue vehicles approaching the intersection. This lack of adequate sight distance is caused b of ma or pp 9 �r ry walls between rs�dntial property and the east side of the railroad right-of-way. Because of the intersection configuration and the westbound vehicle - stopping distance from the center of the Santa Mara Avenue and Lincoln Avenue intersection there has also been some confusion about which vehicle has the right of way. Intersection and roadway improvement plans were drafted and the environmental process was started, A Notice of Preparation and an Initial Study were circulated for public review from October 3, 2008 to November 2, 2008. After the close of public comment Period, the Public Utilities Commission PU informed the City that it would not pe rmit the Fairhaven . Lrncoln Avenue intersection to b e reopened to traffic, The role of the P UC in projects that involve railroads is inspection to ensure that railroads comply with federal railroad safety regulations. The PLIC investigates railroad accidents and responds to safety inquiries male b community officials, the general public, and railroad labor organizations. y The intersection design and project description were revised from a one -weir street to a cul -de -sac, and a reprised Notice of Preparation was circulated for public review and comment (January 27, 2009 to February 26, 2009). 3.4 PROJECT CHARACTERISTICS "Project," as defined by the CEQA Guidelines, means "the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and that is any of the following: (1 )...enactment and amendment of zoning ordinances, and the adoption and amendment of local General Plans or elements thereof pursuant to Government Code Sections 65100-65700" 14 Cal. Code of Reg. 15378[a] . 3. 4.1 Description of the Project Several changes to the original 2002 project have been proposed to address the safety issues aloe Lincoln Avenue. Two -way travel at Lincoln Avenue and Fairhaven Avenue is currently 9 u rently blocked with concrete barriers. Revisions to the original project would permanently close the Lincoln Avenue vehicle lanes from Fairhaven Avenue to Park Lane. Two-way traffic would be maintained on Lincoln Avenue from Parr Lane to Santa Clara Avenue. Additionally, to improve safety at the Santa Clara Avenue and Lincoln Avenue intersection a traffic signal would be installed and intersection modifications would occur. Pedestrian access to the east side of the Metrolink tracks and to Santiago Park could be accomplished by two different means. Metrolink will require their own maintenance road on the west side of the tracks and this road could also serge as a pedestrian path; this would not allow direct access to Fairhaven (east side) by pedestrians. Direct pedestrian access across the railroad tracks at Lincoln Avenue Fairhaven Avenue would be maintained if the crossing complies with applicable safety /quiet zone requirements by CPUC and S RRA. The project includes the following elements (see Figure 3 -3, Proposed Fairha en Lincoln Intersection and Figure 3 -4, Proposed Santa CJaralLincolrr briers axon Page 3 -2 & he Planning Center March 2009 Resolution No. 2009 -034 Page 28 of 130