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TOLL ROAD AGENCY RELEASES FINAL EIR FOR FOOTHILL-SOUTH
Analysis concludes that ‘green’ toll road alignment balances need to relieve traffic with least environmental, community impacts
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. (Dec. 6, 2005) -- A 16-mile toll road alignment located east of San Clemente significantly reduces traffic congestion on the I-5 Freeway and city streets, while avoiding sensitive wetlands areas and avoiding homes and businesses in South Orange County, according to the final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for Foothill-South, the last segment of the Foothill (241) Toll Road.
The final EIR, released today by the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency, identifies the 'green' alignment -- one of the six toll road and two non-toll road project alternatives analyzed in the draft environmental document released in May 2004 -- as the preferred alternative. Several federal resource agencies have made a preliminary determination that the green alignment is the ‘least environmentally damaging, practicable alternative.’
According to the final EIR, the alignment, which connects to the I-5 Freeway near the Orange County/San Diego border, will reduce the number of congested I-5 Freeway segments by 70% without removing homes or businesses. If nothing is done, future traffic on I-5 at the county line is expected to increase 60%, with weekend I-5 traffic rivaling the level of weekday traffic today on the 91 Freeway.
"Our goal has always been to find a solution that balances the critical need to improve mobility, while preserving our natural environment and reducing impacts to our communities," said Ken Ryan, Chairman of the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency, which oversees the 241, 261, and 133 Toll Roads in Orange County.
"Years of careful study and collaboration with a number of federal resource agencies, along with an unprecedented amount of public input, have resulted in an alternative that achieves this balance, so that we can maintain our quality of life."
Since 1996, TCA has worked with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) and Caltrans to determine the project’s purpose and need and to identify and evaluate project alternatives to relieve traffic in South Orange County. This collaborative process includes the Marine Corps Base-Camp Pendleton as a cooperating agency.
Highlights of the final EIR include:
- Reduction in project size. The maximum project size will be 6 lanes total, however the road will initially be constructed with two lanes in each direction. The typical cross section of the road was reduced from 156 feet to 128 feet.
- Significant traffic relief. Foothill-South will reduce the number of congested I-5 freeway segments by 70% and reduce the number of congested intersections in South County cities by 50%. Traffic analysis for 2025 shows that with Foothill-South as an alternative route, it would take an estimated 25 minutes to drive from Oso Parkway to the county line during the peak evening commute compared to one hour without Foothill-South. If drivers chose to take Foothill-South, it would take drivers an estimated 16 minutes to travel the same distance on the toll road.
- Maximize open space and wildlife connectivity. The location of the road is compatible with the Rancho Mission Viejo development plans approved by the County of Orange last year. The road is located within or near planned development areas, preserving large blocks of open space to the east of the development and allowing for wildlife connectivity to the Cleveland National Forest.
- Avoidance of sensitive habitat areas. The alignment was designed to avoid occupied habitat areas for the Pacific pocket mouse and highly populated arroyo toad areas. Habitat areas impacted by the project will be mitigated through restoration and preservation at Upper Chiquita Conservation Area and other locations. Specific plans will be determined after a locally preferred alternative is approved.
The document also identifies 185 mitigation measures to offset direct and indirect project impacts during and after construction. Key mitigation measures and project design features include:
- Wildlife. Fifteen wildlife crossings (bridges and culverts) will be built along the alignment so that natural wildlife corridors are preserved. This is a 50% increase from the number proposed number in the draft environmental document. The wildlife crossings, in conjunction with location of the corridor closer to planned RMV development areas, allows for the preservation of 13,500 acres of contiguous open space and wildlife movement to the east.
- Water quality. The construction of 12 detention basins along the toll road will capture and treat the “first-flush” stormwater runoff from the road. In addition, approximately 5 million gallons of runoff from a two-mile segment of I-5 that currently flows untreated into San Onofre Creek, will be captured and treated. Additional sediment flow analysis of the San Mateo Watershed, and an independent study of the waves at Trestles beach, shows that the toll road will have no measurable impact to wave energy at Trestles.
- Noise. Construction of two soundwalls – one between the toll road and Cristianitos Road to address noise impacts at the San Mateo Campground and another at the interchange of the toll road and Avenida Pico in San Clemente.
- Views. The alignment is designed behind a natural ridgeline to block most views from the Talega community in San Clemente.
The final EIR includes responses to the nearly 7,000 comments submitted by individuals, organizations, and public entities last year. Approximately 4,000 letters were mailed today to notify residents, businesses, organizations, and public entities that the final document is available on CD and online at www.foothill-south.com. The public may call (949) 754-3444 to obtain copies or ask questions about the final EIR.
NEXT STEPS
The Foothill/Eastern Board of Directors will consider the certification of the final EIR and the preferred alignment at their Jan. 12 meeting at 9:30 a.m. at Mission Viejo City Hall. Once a locally preferred alternative is chosen, the Agency will need to obtain a number of federal permits and develop a plan of finance before construction can begin. The earliest estimate for construction is 2007-2009 with the road opening to traffic by 2010-2011.
ABOUT TCA & FOOTHILL-SOUTH
Foothill-South is the final segment of Orange County’s planned 67-mile toll road system. The project has been the subject of regional planning efforts since 1981. The Toll Roads are operated by the Foothill/Eastern and San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agencies, two joint powers authorities formed 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 San Joaquin Hills ( 73) Toll Road from Newport Beach to San Juan Capistrano; and the Foothill (241) and Eastern (241, 261, and 133) Toll Roads from the 91 Freeway to south Orange County. Nearly 300,000 trips are taken on The Toll Roads every weekday, saving drivers an average of 21 minutes per trip.
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