75A - PH - RESO SA-GG FIXED GUIDEWAY

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Santa Ana Garden Grove Fixed Gnrdovvay ect U May 23, 2014 t �tL •irr J 33IH4;101FY. !!VW1111LO101-i 1*41 Project Description and Location: The Santa Ana - Garden Grove (SA -GG) Fixed Guideway Project proposes to provide a new east -west transit line in Orange County between the Santa Ana Regional Transportation 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: POSTED • Improve Transit Connectivity within the Study Area; • Relieve Congestion by Providing Alternative Mobility Options; MAY 2 2 2414 • Be Sensitive to the Character of the Community; • Increase Transit Options; OppNeECDUNtYCL' REC0RDER1E1M1RiMENT • Improve Transit Accessibility to and within the Study Area; and DEPUTY • Provide Benefits to the Environment through Improved Air Quality. 8Y The build alternatives addressed in the Environmental Assessment /Draft Environmental Impact Report (EA /DEIR) consist of a Transportation Systems Management (TSM) /Bus Alternative, Streetcar Alternatives 1 and 2, and Initial Operating Segments for the Streetcar Alternatives (IOS) -1 and IOS -2. To reduce costs and impacts and to provide optimum accessibility, the streetcar and IOS alternatives would operate in mixed -flow traffic on city streets and in a dedicated "Streetcar only" guideway in the Pacific Electric Right -of -Way (PE ROW). The TSM /Bus Alternative would improve the local transit network without construction of major new transportation facilities. Enhancements would be achieved through low cost (i.e., small physical) improvements and operational efficiencies. Included within the TSM Alternative are modifications and enhancements to selected bus routes in the Study Area, including a new route between SARTC and Harbor Boulevard /Westminster Avenue; intersection /signal improvements; and bus stop amenity upgrades. Both streetcar alternatives would utilize the PE ROW through the western portion of the approximately four mile alignment. The eastern portion of the Streetcar Alternative 1 alignment would operate along Santa Ana Boulevard and 4" Street on the way to SARTC; the eastern portion of the Streetcar Alternative 2 alignment would operate along Civic Center Drive and 5" Street between Spurgeon and Flower Streets. In harmony with the City of Santa Ana's Complete Streets Program, Streetcar Alternative 2 will accommodate bicycle lanes along Civic Center Drive. The streetcar systems would be electrically powered using an overhead contact system and a series of Traction Power Substations. Streetcar Alternative 1 would include 12 stations and Streetcar Alternative 2 would include 13 stations. IOSs, which are shorter segments of Streetcar Alternatives 1 and 2, were developed in response to funding and phasing issues raised by fiscal constraints identified during the Orange County Transportation Authority's long - range transportation planning process. The intent of the IOSs is to identify starter segments that could be constructed and operated until funding is assembled to complete the projects. Both IOS -1 and IOS -2 terminate at the Raitt Street /Santa Ana Boulevard intersection, rather than the Harbor Boulevard/ Westminster Avenue intersection. Both IOS Alternatives include the same project features and design options as their respective full alignment build alternatives between Raitt Street and SARTC. Summary of Significant Environmental Impacts: The EA /DEIR was prepared by the City of Santa Ana as the local lead agency, and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) as the federal lead agency, to satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The EA /DEIR examines the potential impacts that may result from implementation of the proposed alternatives and identifies 75A -90