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

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S . Environmental Analysis 5.3 TRAFFIC AND CIRCULATION This section of the Draft SEIR evaluates the potential for the Fairhaven /Lincoln and Santa Clara Lincoln Intersection Modifications Proj eat to 1 r pact existing and future traffic and circulation. Although the Draft SEl'R compares the reprised project's impacts to those of the Santa Ana Second Main Tracy E R (2002) , the existing traffic conditions were also studied and documented to provide an accurate and c om plete rep resntation of the impacts. The analysis in this section is based on the following documents: Traffic Impact Study, Santa Aria Second Main Track, Updated Drat Report, DI IJ i Harris, 2008, Larch. • Santa Aria Second Main Track Project Environmental Impact Report. State Clearinghouse No. 2000091 065, Prepared for Southern California Regional Rail Authority SCRRA. Prepared by Myra L. Frank and Associates, inc. 2002, February. A complete copies of the traffic study are included in Appendix E to this Draft SEIR. 5.3.1 Impacts Identified in the Santa Ana Second Main Track E1 (2002) The 2002 El analyzed all thresholds of significance in the cEQA Guidelines related to traffic and circulation. The proposed project, as analyzed in the 2002 EIR has been constructed in its entirety, Revisions to the project do not result in impacts related to train activity on the main line tracks; and therefore, train impacts of the 2002 EiR are not included. During construction activities, temporary street closures were necessary at at -grade crossings at La Meta Avenue in orange and Fairhaven Avenue, Santa Clara Avenue, and 17th Street in Santa Ana. Because at- grade closures would have affected emergency access, the 2002 EIR identified construction circulation impacts as potentially significant. However, realignment of portions of Lincoln Avenue to accommodate the second track construction was considered a less than significant impact because realignment of Lincoln Avenue would be phased to maintain roadway traffic at all times. Mitigation Meas ures. Traffic -1 and Traffic -2 required a traffic management plan to reduce impacts during construction and temporary street closures at at -grade crossings. with adherence to these mitigation measures, construction- related traffic irn pacts were reduced to less than significant levels. Traffic forecasts for year 2020 were conducted with and without the project in the 2002 EIR. Two of the sic Santa Ana study area intersections were forecast to operate a Level of Service (LOS) of E or F: Lincoln Avenue at Santa Clara Avenue /Aspen Street and Lincoln Avenue at Seventeenth Street. However, these intersections were forecast to operate at LOS E/F even without the project, so no significant project - related impacts were identified. Forecast year 2020 analysis was also conducted for Grand Avenue, and all study area intersections along Grand Avenue were forecast to operate at an acceptable LOS D or better. In addition, the project would not alter a fisting traffic circulation patterns or preclude construction of planned bike facilities in Santiago Park or along La Veta Street and 17th Street, As a result, no significant impacts were identified from operation of the original project. 5.3.2 Environmental Setting Existing Roadway Network The project's study area is defined as the following roadway segments and intersections that could be affected by the proposed project- E-airhavenlLincoln and Santa ClaralLincoln Intersection 1rf o i nation r City _Santa Ana #°age 53-1 SuPlement to the Santa Ana Second Main Track Project EIR Resolution No. 2009 -034 Page 79 of 130