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ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS FOR COMPLETION OF THE 241
TOLL ROAD RESULTS IN MORE THAN 6,000 LETTERS AND CARDS
IRVINE, Calif. . (August 13, 2004) - The 90-day public
review period for the Foothill-South Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) and Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR)
yielded more than 6,000 comment letters on 10 project alternatives
to address growing traffic congestion in South Orange County. Included
in the 6,000 plus comments letters and cards are approximately 169
letters that will be reviewed and responded to in the Final EIS/SEIR.
"The amount of comments we received is a clear sign that our efforts
paid off to make this document as accessible as possible -- online,
on CD, and in print," said Macie Cleary-Milan, TCA Deputy Director
of Environmental Planning. "Over the next few months, we will carefully
review and respond to the comments, prepare the final document,
and continue to work closely with the federal resource agencies
to determine a preferred alternative in early 2005."
The 3,200-page Draft EIS/SEIR, released May 7, analyzes the potential
environmental, socio-economic, and traffic impacts of six toll-road
alignments to extend the 241 south from its current end at Oso Parkway
and four non-toll road options -- the widening of Interstate 5 by
two general purpose lanes, the widening of major city roads, and
two 'no project' scenarios.
At the June 19 public hearing at Tesoro High School 198 people
made oral comments to two court reporters.
In May, the Foothill/Eastern Board of Directors, which operates
the 241, 261, and 133 Toll Roads, extended the public comment period
to 90 days, twice the legal requirement of 45 days.
Next Steps
Comments on the Draft EIS/SEIR will not be responded to individually,
but over the next six to nine months, will be compiled and incorporated
into a "Response to Comments" document as part of the Final EIS/SEIR.
TCA will continue to work with the Federal Highways Administration,
Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental
Protection Agency, Marine Corps Camp Pendleton, and Caltrans on
narrowing the alternatives and selecting a preferred alternative.
Two decisions must be made before construction can begin. The FHWA,
as the lead agency for the federal environmental regulatory process,
and the Foothill/Eastern TCA Board of Directors, comprised of 15
city council members and County Supervisors from areas along the
241, 261, and 133 Toll Roads, must certify the Final EIS/SEIR and
select a preferred alternative.
If the FHWA and the Foothill/Eastern TCA select a toll-road alternative,
the TCA will obtain final regulatory permits and obtain a FHWA Record
of Decision. If a ROD is obtained in 2005, construction can begin
around 2006-2007, with a completion date of 2008-2009. If a non-toll
road project alternative is selected, such as the I-5 or arterials-only
widening options, the TCA would not be responsible for permitting
or building the project.
Anticipated FTC-S Schedule, subject to change:
- August to December 2004 -- Review and respond to comments
received
- First Half 2005 -- Release of Final EIS/SEIR. Foothill/Eastern
Transportation Corridor Agency Board of Directors chooses a locally
preferred alternative and certifies the SEIR. Obtain necessary
permits from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Army Corps of Engineers
and EPA.
- Second Half 2005 -- Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
approves the EIS and issues a Record of Decision on a preferred
alignment. Obtain Coastal Commission Permit. Finalize finance
plan and obtain financing
- 2006/2007 -- Begin construction.
- 2008/2009 -- Open to traffic.
Project History
The southern extension of the 241 Toll Road, the final piece of
Orange County's network of public toll roads, has been the subject
of regional planning efforts since 1981. A conceptual highway, then
named the Foothill Transportation Corridor, along the inland foothills
of south Orange County was placed on Orange County's Master Plan
of Arterial Highways (MPAH). The highway was planned as a regional
alternative to the I-5 Freeway to handle traffic from new housing
developments in southern and eastern Orange County and increasing
regional traffic between San Diego and Los Angeles.
In 1991, the Foothill/Eastern Agency selected a preferred alignment
for the 241 extension. Since then, a change to the federal environmental
regulations required the Agency to embark on a new federal review
process. Since 1999, TCA in conjunction with state and federal agencies
have determined a Statement of Purpose and Need and identified 10
project alternatives to address traffic in South Orange County.
About TCA
More than 290,000 trips are taken on The Toll Roads every weekday,
saving drivers an estimated 21 minutes per trip. The Toll Roads
are operated by the Transportation Corridor Agencies, two joint
powers authorities formed by the California state legislature in
1986 to plan, finance, construct, and operate Orange County's 67-mile
public toll road system. Fifty-one miles of the system are complete,
including the 15-mile San Joaquin Hills (SR-73) Toll Road from Newport
Beach to San Juan Capistrano; and the 36-mile Foothill/Eastern Toll
Road system (SR-241, SR-261, SR-133) from the 91 Freeway to south
Orange County. More information including maps, toll rates, news,
and FasTrak, the non-stop, electronic toll-payment system, can be
found at www.thetollroads.com.
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