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): Fourth
Title:
Title
Mitigated Negative Declaration for Frasier Creek Bridge Replacement Project (C11005)
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a Resolution adopting the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Program and approving the Geysers Road Bridge over Frasier Creek Project (C11005). (Fourth District)
end
Executive Summary:
The Department of Transportation and Public Works (TPW) is requesting adoption of a Resolution to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration, and Mitigation Monitoring Program, and approve a project that will replace the Geysers Road Bridge over Frasier Creek.
Discussion:
The Geysers Road Bridge over Frasier Creek Project (“Project”) includes construction of a new two-lane bridge in close proximity to the existing functionally obsolete, one-lane Geysers Road Bridge. The Project will be designed in accordance with Caltrans standards including improvements to roadway approaches and appurtenant facilities. 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.
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. 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 March 15, 2022. 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 finalizing the design and 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.
Currently, the Project is finishing National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review with right-of-way acquisition to commence by the end of 2023 and construction to begin in 2024. 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.
Strategic Plan:
This item directly supports the County’s Five-year Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following pillar, goal, and objective.
Pillar: Resilient Infrastructure
Goal: Goal 3: Continue to invest in critical road, bridge, bicycle, and pedestrian infrastructure.
Objective: Objective 4: Identify and retrofit bridges in County that are at high risk for damage during earthquakes.
Prior Board Actions:
Design Contract originally approved October 7, 2014.
First amendment approved December 13, 2016.
Second amendment approved September 12, 2017.
Third amendment approved December 7, 2021.
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this Board Action. Expenses associated with environmental studies and reports were approved by the Board in previous professional services agreements. Environmental mitigation and monitoring costs associated with the construction phase of the project will be included in contracts to be brought to the Board at a future date.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Resolution, Mitigated Negative Declaration, Mitigation Monitoring Plan, Location Map
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
Original Design Agreement, First Amendment, Second amendment, Third amendment