19E - SANTA ANA GRADE SEPARATION PROJECT

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PRELIMINARY ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY FORM RESPONSES General Will the project require future construction to fully utilize the design capabilities included in the proposed project? The proposed project, as designed, would provide a number of potential traffic- related, environmental, and safety - related benefits, without future construction: • Elimination of traffic delays related to the existing Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Metrolink at -grade crossing at Santa Ana Boulevard, • assist in vehicle emissions reduction (along Santa Ana Boulevard) related to motorists waiting for trains to traverse the existing at -grade crossing, • decrease in delays and improved travel time along Santa Ana Boulevard, which in turn reduces travel cost, • decrease in emergency response times related to existing at -grade crossing traffic delays, and • Reduction or elimination of rear -end collisions, and elimination of potential broadside collisions with trains, along Santa Ana Boulevard at the OCTA Metrolink tracks. The proposed project would be able to function independently, and would not require future construction to fully utilize the design capabilities included in the proposed project. 2. Will the project generate public controversy? No known public controversy exists regarding the proposed project. There is no reason to expect substantial public interest in the project from a community standpoint based on potential environmental effects. The proposed project is expected to provide a number of potential traffic - related, environmental, and safety - related benefits to the community. It is anticipated that any local interest in the environmental impacts of the project would be primarily related to typical concerns related to grade separation projects such as property acquisition and visual and noise impacts for residents located immediately adjacent to the project alignment. This will be further evaluated in the Community Impact Assessment that is prepared and during the public information meeting that is held for the project. Noise 3. Is the project a Type I project as defined in 23 CFR 772.5(h); "construction on new location or the physical alteration of an existing highway, which significantly changes either the horizontal or vertical alignment or increases the number of through- traffic lanes "? According to 23 CFR 772.5(h), a Type I project involves "construction on new location or the physical alteration of an existing highway which significantly changes either the horizontal or vertical alignment or increases the number of through- traffic lanes." The proposed project involves the grade separation of an existing road /railroad crossing, which would involve the construction of an undercrossing (roadway passing under the railroad tracks). This would alter the vertical alignment of the roadway, thus the proposed project is a Type I project. 4. Does the project have the potential for adverse construction - related noise impact (such as related to pile driving)? The proposed project will likely involve pile driving during construction. This type of work would be limited in duration, however, this will be further evaluated and addressed in the Noise Study. Air Quality 5. Is the project in a National Ambient Air Quality Standards non - attainment or maintenance area? The proposed project is located in the South Coast Air Basin (SCAB). As shown below, the State of California has designated the SCAB as being a nonattainment area for ozone (03) and 19E -73