75A - PH - RESO SA-GG FIXED GUIDEWAY

Home Browse Search

1.2 Summary of the Proposed Project The SA -GG Fixed Guideway Project proposes to provide a new east -west transit line in Orange County between the Santa Ana Regional Transit Center (SARTC) in the City of Santa Ana and the Harbor Boulevard /Westminster Avenue intersection in the City of Garden Grove. The purpose of the SA -GG Fixed Guideway Project is to: • Improve Transit Connectivity within the Study Area; • Relieve Congestion by Providing Alternative Mobility Options; • Be Sensitive to the Character of the Community; • Increase Transit Options; • Improve Transit Accessibility to and within the Study Area; and • Provide Benefits to the Environment through Improved Air Quality. The alternatives addressed in the EA /DEIR consisted of a No Build Alternative and a Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative, as well as four build alternatives; Streetcar Alternatives 1 and 2 and Initial Operating Segment (IOS) -1 and IOS -2, which are shorter versions of the full alignment. Streetcar Alternative 1, which is the Locally Preferred Alternative, will utilize the Pacific Electric Right -of -Way (PE ROW) through the western portion of the approximately four -mile alignment to reduce costs and impacts and to provide optimum accessibility. The eastern portion of the alignment will operate along Santa Ana Boulevard and 4 "' Street on the way to SARTC. The streetcar system will be electrically powered using an overhead contact system and a series of Traction Power Substations. The Locally Preferred Alternative includes 24 stations. Streetcar Alternative 2 would utilize the PE ROW through the western half of its alignment and primarily operate along Santa Ana Boulevard, Civic Center Drive, and 51" Street through the eastern half of the alignment to SARTC. The operational characteristics of this alternative are identical to Streetcar Alternative 1. The differences between the two streetcar alternatives are the alignment and the fact that Streetcar Alternative 2 would have one additional station for a total of 13. The No Build Alternative provides the basis for comparing future conditions resulting from other alternatives. This alternative includes conditions in the foreseeable future (through planning horizon year 2035) include projects that (1) have environmental analysis approved by an implementing agency and (2) have a funding source identified for implementation. The TSM Alternative enhances the mobility of existing transportation facilities and transit network without construction of major new transportation facilities or significant, costly physical capacity improvements. The TSM Alternative emphasizes low cost (i.e., small physical) improvements and operational efficiencies, such as focused traffic engineering actions, expanded bus service, and improved access to transit services. In response to funding and phasing issues raised by fiscal constraints identified during OCTA's long -range transportation planning process, IOSs were developed as alternatives, which are shorter segments of the Locally Preferred Alternative and Streetcar Alternative 2. Further details on these alternatives are provided on page 2 -1 of the EA /DEIR. Santa Ana Garden Grove Fixed Guideway Project REAIFEIR January 2015 75A -60 Page12