Here’s the news release from Metro:
A series of public hearings conducted by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is set to receive community input to a Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) on a proposed extension of the Metro Gold Line Eastside light rail system from East Los Angeles to either South El Monte or Whittier. In addition to the two alternatives, the Draft EIR/EIS analyzes a Transportation Systems Management proposal that identifies bus corridor improvements and a no-build option. The environmental document was released August 22, 2014.
Metro will conduct four public hearings during a 60 day public comment period, which is open until 5 p.m. October 21, 2014, each to include a 30 minute open house when the public can view the Draft EIR/EIS, see project display and talk to staff. They are:
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Pico Rivera Senior Center
9200 Mines Ave. Pico Rivera, CA 90660
Open House: 9 a.m. Public Hearing: 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Monday, September 29, 2014 Quiet Cannon Banquet Center
901 Via San Clemente, Montebello, CA 90640
Open House: 5:30 p.m. Public Hearing: 6-8 p.m.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Uptown Whittier Senior Center
13225 Walnut Street, Whittier, CA 90602
Open House: 5:30 p.m. Public Hearing: 6-8 p.m.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
South El Monte Senior Center
1556 Central Avenue, South El Monte, CA 91733
Open House: 5:30 p.m. Public Hearing: 6-8 p.m.
The Draft EIR/EIS studied the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2, an extension of the existing Gold Line connecting Pasadena and East Los Angeles through Union Station to communities where commuting to work is expected to grow by 32 percent by 2035 and peak period travel times to increase 25 percent in the morning and 34 percent in the afternoon by 2035.
The Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 project includes proposals known as the SR 60 Alternative and the Washington Boulevard Alternative.
The SR 60 Alternative proposes a 6.9 miles extension of mostly elevated tracks running adjacent to the 60 freeway to South El Monte with four proposed new stations in Monterey Park, Montebello and South El Monte.
The Washington Boulevard Alternative would extend the Gold Line 9.5 miles, traveling south in an aerial configuration down Garfield Avenue, turning southeast on Washington Boulevard where it would transition to a street running operation at Montebello Boulevard before ending in Whittier. The alternative would include six proposed new stations in Montebello, Pico Rivera and Whittier.
Each of the two alternatives would begin at the Eastside Gold Line’s current terminus at Atlantic and Pomona boulevards in East Los Angeles.
Estimated ridership for the SR 60 Alternative is 16,700 boardings each weekday with a cost estimate of approximately $1.2 billion to $1.3 billion in 2010 dollars. Estimated ridership for the Washington Boulevard Alternative is 19,900 weekday boardings with an estimated cost of approximately $1.4 billion to $1.6 billion in 2010 dollars.
An EIR is required to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act and an EIS fulfills requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. The laws require government agencies to identify the significant environmental impacts of their actions and to avoid, minimize or mitigate any adverse effects. Information from public comments will be weighed before preparing the final environmental document.
Metro staff is scheduled to present a summary of technical analysis and comments received along with a recommended Locally Preferred Alternative to the Metro Board of Directors in November and the Board will decide how to proceed.
For more information about the project, review the Draft EIR/EIS and submit comments, visit the project web page at www.metro.net/eastsidephase2
Categories: Policy & Funding, Projects
Straight from the ” (MTA’s) Horse’s Mouth!”
Estimated ridership for the SR 60 Alternative is 16,700 boardings each weekday with a cost estimate of approximately $1.2 billion to $1.3 billion in 2010 dollars. ????!!!
http://thesource.metro.net/2012/10/10/metro-and-elected-officials-dedicate-new-state-of-the-art-el-monte-station/ ($ 60,000,000 ) parking lot?
What happened to all the Monie$ that were spent to upgrade service to that area of the County?“ ” Improvements to existing bus service is paramount to the success of the Metro ExpressLanes program and this new bus facility will go a long way toward providing the needed infrastructure to handle the growing need of residents and commuters in this region so they are equipped with sound commuting choices,” said LA County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, a Metro Board Member and Chair of the Board’s Ad-Hoc Committee on Congestion Pricing “.” “El Monte is the transit hub of the San Gabriel Valley and this bus station is a major connection point for thousands of daily commuters. We’re proud to offer a new top-quality facility to Metro bus riders.”
http://media.metro.net/projects_studies/eastside_phase2/images/draft_eiseir/report_eastside_section4-04.pdf
Estimated ridership for the Washington Boulevard Alternative is 19,900 weekday boardings with an estimated cost of approximately $1.4 billion to $1.6 billion in 2010 dollars.Operational Impacts
Job and Earnings Effects: Job and earnings impacts associated with the Washington Boulevard LRT Alternative were estimated for Los Angeles County and the Los Angeles metro area. The Washington Boulevard LRT Alternative would result in an additional 1,394 jobs and $40.9 million in earnings over the No Build Alternative for Los Angeles County. For the metro area as a whole, the Washington Boulevard LRT Alternative would result in an additional 1,521 jobs and $45.9 million in earnings over the No Build Alternative. This would represent a beneficial impact. These beneficial impacts are significantly greater than those for the TSM Alternative and somewhat greater than those for the SR 60 LRT Alternative. Jobs and earnings would be higher for this Alternative compared to the SR 60 LRT Alternative due to the longer route and greater number of stops, which would generate more economic activity. The Rosemead Boulevard and I-605/San Gabriel River aerial crossing options would have no impact on operation and maintenance spending; therefore, the impacts would be the same for these two crossing options despite a slightly different construction cost.
Please do the right thing. CHOOSE the route that serves the PEOPLE and their EMPLOYERS; Measure R was voted by the people for the people, NOT for Special Interests or Politicians.
Neither of these routes are really that good. Should have been straight down Whittier Blvd, even if you had to build in segments like the Purple Line on Wilshire. So then because of not using the best route, then I say build 1/2 of both to start and come
back later and finish the other 1/2 later. At least then a larger area of the east side gets covered. Say build the 60 line as far at the Montebello town center and the southern line at least as far as Washington and Greenwood.
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