To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Transportation and Public Works
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz 707-565-2231
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Fifth
Title:
Title
Mitigated Negative Declaration for Geysers Road Bridge at Big Sulphur Creek Replacement Project, C09001
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a Resolution adopting the Mitigated Negative Declaration, adopting the Mitigation Monitoring Program, and approving the project to replace Geysers Road Bridge over Big Sulphur Creek, C09001. (Fifth District)
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Executive Summary:
The Department of Transportation and Public Works (TPW) is requesting adoption of a Resolution to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration, adopt a Mitigation Monitoring Program, and approve a project that will replace the Geysers Road Bridge over Big Sulphur Creek.
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Discussion:
The Geysers Road Bridge over Big Sulphur Creek Project (“Project”) includes construction of a new two-lane bridge in close proximity to the existing historical, but functionally obsolete, one-lane Geysers Road Bridge. The Project will be designed to meet current Caltrans standards including improvements to roadway approaches and appurtenant facilities. The existing bridge will remain in place and be open to bicycles and pedestrians but closed to vehicular traffic during construction. The Project will not result in increased vehicular traffic capacity, but will provide two traffic lanes with shoulders. Due to the low traffic volume on the subject stretch of Geysers Road, pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles will share the travel lanes and shoulders on the bridge once the project is completed. The Project is 100% federally funded for preliminary engineering and eligible for 100% funding for construction therefore, all requirements of the Federal Highway Bridge Program must be satisfied, including approval by Caltrans.
Commencement of construction of the project has experienced schedule extensions due to many factors, including a lengthy environmental review process, impacts from COVID-19, and multiple County disasters. Currently the project has completed National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review and is about to begin the right of way acquisition process. Construction is anticipated to begin 2023.
The proposed project has been analyzed under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations. An Initial Study was prepared for the Project, which determined that Project impacts could be mitigated to a less than significant level. Therefore, a Mitigated Negative Declaration was drafted for the project. The Mitigated Negative Declaration identifies mitigation measures and a Monitoring Program for the proposed project which have been incorporated into the conditions of approval. Mitigation measures were included to address: Air Quality (construction emissions, odor control and monitoring); Biological Resources (preconstruction surveys, construction worker training, construction exclusion fencing, biological monitor); and Noise (construction operation limitations). The draft Mitigated Negative Declaration was presented to the Environmental Review Committee on July 20, 2021. The Environmental Review Committee reviewed the study and recommended a Mitigated Negative Declaration be prepared. The Mitigated Negative Declaration, including the proposed mitigation measures, was circulated for public and agency review.
Notice of a 30-day public review of the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Initial Study were provided in accordance with CEQA and State and County CEQA guidelines; and all comments have been addressed in the MND document. The Department of Transportation and Public Works (TPW) will obtain all appropriate permits before constructing the project.
The Project design and mitigation program include measures, as described above, to mitigate any potential environmental impacts. No other environmental impacts have been identified in the Initial Study or through any comments received as part of the environmental review process. There is no substantial evidence before the Board that the proposed project, as mitigated by the mitigation measures described in the Initial Study and to be incorporated in the Project’s Mitigation Monitoring Program, may have a significant effect on the environment and therefore, adoption of the Mitigated Negative Declaration is appropriate under CEQA and State and County CEQA guidelines.
TPW recommends that the Board approve the attached resolution to adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Program and approve the project.
If the project is approved by the Board, the Department of Transportation and Public Works will proceed with final design and bidding, and will return to the Board for awarding of the construction contract. If the project is not approved by the Board, further options would need consideration. Options include further environmental study or the bridge replacement will not proceed and the federal and state funds spent to date will be returned to Caltrans.
Prior Board Actions:
12/8/2020: Second Amendment to the Geysers Road Bridge at Big Sulphur Creek Replacement Design contract.
11/10/2015: Authorize the Chair to sign amendments for no-cost time extensions to four bridge design agreements: Hauser Road Bridge with OPAC Consulting Engineers, extending the term of agreement to December 31, 2019; Wohler Road Bridge with Biggs Cardosa Associates, Inc., extending the term of agreement to December 31, 2020; Freestone Flat Road Bridge with Quincy Engineering, Inc., extending the term of agreement to December 31, 2020; and Geysers Road Bridge with TRC Engineers, Inc., extending the term of agreement to December 31, 2020.
2/4/2014: Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the engineering design contract with TRC Engineers, Inc. for the replacement of Geysers Road Bridge over Big Sulphur Creek (C09001) in an amount not to exceed $627,838 with a term ending December 31, 2016.
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
There are no direct fiscal impacts as a result of this Board Action. Future design, right-of-way, construction, and construction management contracts associated with this project will be brought to the Board in separate items.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
Location Map
Layout Plan
Original Agreement
1st Amendment
2nd Amendment
Mitigated Negative Declaration
Mitigated Monitoring Plan
Notice of Determination
Comment Response