appendix b project web site - metromedia.metro.net/projects_studies/westside/images... · culver...

Project Scoping Report

Appendix B – Project Web Site

W E S T S I D E E X T E N S I O N T R A N S I T C O R R I D O R S T U D Y February 4, 2008

APPENDIX B

Project Web Site

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Early Public Scoping Meeting (Video)

Early Scoping Presentation (PDF)

Potential Alignment Map (PDF)

Study Area Map (PDF)

Fact Sheets

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Overview

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Fact Sheets

Fact Sheet 1: Study Background, Overview and Schedule

Study Description

Today, communities in and adjacent to the Westside Corridor experience day-long traffic back-ups as additional retail, entertainment and employment centers have been built and become fully occupied, and as more development occurs. Public frustration with delays caused by traffic jams on both freewaysand city streets has dramatically increased.

The convergence of this increasing congestion, rising fuel and parking costs,land use densification, and Metro’s challenge to meet transit demands withbuses, are among the many reasons why the Metro Board of Directors hasauthorized an Alternatives Analysis for the Westside Transit Corridor Extension.This Alternatives Analysis will review previous planning studies for a WestsideExtension and update materials in relation to the new and changed conditionswithin the Corridor.

This includes evaluating changes or shifts in population, development, employment, and travel patterns. Upon completion of the Alternatives Analysis Study, the results and recommendations will be presented to the Metro Board of Directors, and the initiation of an environmental process may be authorized. It is anticipated that the environmental process would evaluate the following alternatives: a No Build, a Baseline or Transportation Systems Management Alternative, and one or more Build Alternatives which will include potential alignments, stations and modes.

Study History

The Metro Red Line subway was opened in segments starting from DowntownLos Angeles at Union Station. It began operations to Wilshire and WesternAvenue in Koreatown in 1996. The last segment connecting to North Hollywoodin the San Fernando Valley began operations in 2000. The Wilshire/Westernsegment was recently renamed the “Purple Line”.

In the 1980s and 1990s, extensive planning studies were conducted for awestward extension of the subway. This led to a Full Funding Grant Agreementwith the federal government for a 2.3-mile extension of the subway fromWilshire/Western to Pico/San Vicente in 1994. In 1998, due to fundingconstraints, Metro suspended the project and focused its attention ondeveloping bus and light rail transit options for the Westside. This ultimatelyresulted in a decision that the area was too big to be served by a single project.


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The Exposition Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, currently under construction, wasplanned for the “southern” portion of the Westside, with Wilshire Bus RapidTransit (BRT) slated to serve the area’s “northern” portion. Increasingcongestion and growth since then has prompted reconsideration of a possiblerail extension to the Westside for the northern area.

Although the Westside Extension project has historically been defined as a heavy rail subway mode, various new alternatives could emerge from the public scoping process that will take place as part of the Alternatives Analysis. These could include looking at alignments other than Wilshire Boulevard. Other modes that may be considered include Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) with dedicated bus lanes, as well as at-grade, below-grade, and above-grade rail options. Additionally, funding constraints could dictate a series of phased extension segments that would need to be identified and evaluated with the goal of developing between two and four near-term operable segments.

Study Area

The study corridor will extend from the existing Metro Rail Hollywood/Highland and Wilshire/Western Stations to the Pacific Ocean. The northern boundary to the study area follows the base of the Santa Monica Mountains along Hollywood, Sunset and San Vincente Boulevards, and the southern boundary follows Pico Boulevard. The overall study area covers a swath that is of approximately 38 square miles.

Study Scope

The Alternatives Analysis will study and make recommendations based on the following topics:

The need for a mass transit alternative to address traffic growth and changing travel patternsReview the potential level of service of various transit modes including heavy-rail subway, light-rail at-grade, elevated rail and BRTIdentify the potential construction and operating costs of various transit modes and alignmentsEvaluate issues of noise, visual and traffic impacts from at-grade and elevated rail optionsEconomic impacts of new mass transit on existing land usesAbility to serve the many activity centers on the WestsideEvaluate localized construction impacts and overall construction safety, particularly for options involving tunnelingEvaluate localized impacts resulting from the introduction and ongoing operations of a new transit project

Anticipated Study Results

At the conclusion of the study, the Metro Board of Directors may select one ormore alignments and modes as a “Locally Preferred Alternative” and directfurther environmental review of that selection. A fully defined project wouldneed to go through complete environmental analysis and review before it couldbe funded or built.

Anticipated Study Schedule

Distribution of Early Scoping Notice September 2007

Definition of Purpose and Need October 2007


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Public Scoping Meetings September/October 2007

Completion of Alternatives Analysis Study Report

June 2008

Recommendation to Board of Locally Preferred Alternative

Summer 2008

Where can I get information about the Alternatives Analysis and Environmental processes?

For additional information about the Westside Transit Corridor, please visit http://www.metro.net/westside or call the project information line at (213) 922-6934.

Listed below are several websites describing the Federal and State requirements that apply to the Alternatives Analysis and the Environmental processes.

The guidelines associated with an Alternatives Analysis (AA) for a transportation project seeking Federal New Starts funding may be found at:

http://www.fta.dot.gov/printer_friendly/planning_environment_3010.html

Updates to the AA guidelines are available at:

http://www.fta.dot.gov/printer_friendly/planning_environment_2590.html

The guidelines associated with an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a transportation project seeking Federal New Starts funding may be found at:

http://www.fta.dot.gov/planning/environment/planning_environment_3009.html

The guidelines associated with an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for a transportation project in California may be found at:

http://www.ceres.ca.gov/topic/env_law/ceqa/guidelines/art7.html


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Overview

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Overview

Background

Over the past 30 years, tremendous population and employment growth,worsening congestion, changing land uses and traffic patterns, as well asMetro’s challenge to meet transit demand, have led to the need to improvemobility in what is now known as the Westside Corridor.

Against this background, the Metro Board of Directors has authorized an Alternatives Analysis for the Westside Transit Corridor Extension, which will review previous planning studies, and update materials in relation to the new and changed conditions along the Corridor. This includes evaluating changes or shifts in population, development, employment, and travel patterns. Upon completion of the Alternatives Analysis Study, the results and recommendations will be presented to the Metro Board of Directors. The initiation of an environmental process may then be authorized.

The Westside Extension Transit Corridor Study will also look at various modes, including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) with dedicated bus lanes, as well as at-grade, below-grade, and above-grade rail options, and at least two alignments respectively along Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevards. Additionally, funding constraints could dictate a series of phased extension segments that would need to be identified and evaluated with the goal of developing between two and four near-term operable segments.

Study Area

The study corridor will extend from the existing Metro Rail Hollywood/Highland and Wilshire/Western Stations to the Pacific Ocean. The northern boundary to the study area follows the base of the Santa Monica Mountains along Hollywood, Sunset and San Vicente Boulevards. The southern boundary follows Pico Boulevard. Overall study area is approximately 38 square miles. Studyarea map.


OLYMPIC

PICO

PICO

OLYMPIC

PICO

EXPOSITION

JEFFERSON

WASHINGTON BL

VENICE BL

VENICE BLPICO

PICO

PICO

EXPOSITION

JEFFERSON

WASHINGTON BL

VENICE BL

VENICE BL

Sunset/Fairfax

La Cienega

CrenshawLa Brea

Western Vermont

Washington/National

WESTWOODVETERAN’S

ADMINISTRATION

UCLA

WESTLOS ANGELES

CULVER CITY

SANTA MONICA

WEST HOLLYWOODHOLLYWOOD

KOREATOWN

BEVERLYHILLS

MID-WILSHIRE

CENTURYCITY

SAN

DIEG

O FW

Y

HIG

HLA

ND

LA B

REA

LA B

REA

SUNSET

SAN VICEN

TE

WILSHIRE

WES

TER

N

VER

MO

NT

SUNSET

SUNSET

LINCOLN

BUNDY

SANTA MONICA FWY

SUNSET

WIL

SHIRE

WESTW

OOD

SAN DIEGO FWY

SANTA MONICA FWY

WILSHIRE

LA C

IEN

EGA

BEVERLY DR

HOLLYWOOD BL

CREN

SHAW

BL

SANTA MONICA BL

SANTA MONIC

A BL

SANTA MONICA BL

FAIR

FAX

OLYMPIC

FAIR

FAX

HOLLYWOOD/HIGHLAND

WILSHIRE/WESTERN

Wilshire/Western

Wilshire/Vermont

Hollywood/Highland

405

10

405

10

2

2

BO

STO

N

A CARLOTTA

CANYON

BIG TUJUNGA

JAN 2007 Subject to Change 07-1851 ©2007 LACMTA

210

134

101

Metro Bus Line

Metro Rapid Bus Line & Stop

Municipal Bus Line

Transitway & Station

Metro Rail Line & Station

Metrolink Line & Station

Interstate Freeway

US Highway or Freeway

State Highway or Freeway

Transit Center

Metro Customer Center

Tourist Attraction/Sports Venue

Shopping Area

School/College/University

Point of Interest

Airport/Civic/Government

Parks

48 110 260 362 490 550 620

M10

720

Scale/Miles (Approximate) 0 1 2 3 4 5

System Map

Metro Rail

Metro Rail (Future)

Metro Orange Line/Transitways

Metro Rapid (Future)

Metro Rail (Future)

Metrolink and Stations

08-0309 ©2007 LACMTA

AUG 2007 Subject to Change

Scale/Miles 0 1 2 4 6

Transitway

Metro Rail & Station

Parking

Expo Line & Station(Under Construction)

Aerial Section & Station

Undercrossing

Westside Extension Study Potential Alignments & Stations

Existing MetroRail & Station

Potential Alignment & Station

Expo Line Phase 1(under construction)

Expo Line Phase 2Options (under study)

08-0720 ©2007 LACMTA

Metro Rail

Metro Rail (Future)



Metro Rail (Future)


08-0309 ©2007 LACMTA


Scale/Miles 0 1 2 4 6 Subject to Change

OLYMPIC

PICO

PICO

OLYMPIC

PICO

EXPOSITION

JEFFERSON

WASHINGTON BL

VENICE BL

VENICE BLPICO

PICO

PICO

EXPOSITION

JEFFERSON

WASHINGTON BL

VENICE BL

VENICE BL

La Cienega

CrenshawLa Brea

Western Vermont

Washington/National

WESTWOOD

VETERAN’S ADMINISTRATION

UCLA

WESTLOS ANGELES

CULVER CITY

SANTA MONICA

WEST HOLLYWOODHOLLYWOOD

KOREATOWN

BEVERLYHILLS

MID-WILSHIRE

CENTURYCITY

SAN

DIEG

O FW

Y

HIG

HLA

ND

SUNSET

SAN VICEN

TE

WILSHIRE

WES

TER

N

VER

MO

NT

SUNSET

SUNSET

LINCOLN

BUNDY

SANTA MONICA FWY

SUNSET

WIL

SHIRE

WESTW

OOD

SAN DIEGO FWY

SANTA MONICA FWY

WILSHIRE

LA C

IEN

EGA

BEVERLY DR

HOLLYWOOD BL

CREN

SHAW

BL

SANTA MONICA BL

SANTA MONIC

A BL

SANTA MONICA BL

FAIR

FAX

OLYMPIC

FAIR

FAX

HOLLYWOOD/HIGHLAND

WILSHIRE/WESTERN

Wilshire/Western

Wilshire/Vermont

Hollywood/Highland

405

10

405

10

2

2

BO

STO

N

A CARLOTTA

CANYON

BIG TUJUNGA

JAN 2007 Subject to Change 07-1851 ©2007 LACMTA

210

134

101

Metro Bus Line

Metro Rapid Bus Line & Stop

Municipal Bus Line

Transitway & Station

Metro Rail Line & Station

Metrolink Line & Station

Interstate Freeway

US Highway or Freeway

State Highway or Freeway

Transit Center

Metro Customer Center

Tourist Attraction/Sports Venue

Shopping Area

School/College/University

Point of Interest

Airport/Civic/Government

Parks

48 110 260 362 490 550 620

M10

720

Scale/Miles (Approximate) 0 1 2 3 4 5

System Map


Expo Line Phase 1(under construction)

Expo Line Phase 2Options (under study)

08-0309 ©2007 LACMTA

Metro Rail

Metro Rail (Future)



Metro Rail (Future)


08-0309 ©2007 LACMTA


Scale/Miles 0 1 2 4 6

Transitway


Parking

Expo Line & Station(Under Construction)

Aerial Section & Station

Undercrossing

Subject to Change

Westside Extension Transit Corridor Study Area

Tonight’s Agenda

• 6:00 – 6:30 PM Open House

• 6:30 – 7:00 PM Metro Presentation

• 7:00 – 8:00 PM Public Comment

Early Public Scoping Meetings

October 2007

Study Area

• Should there be a new transit alternative to serve the Westside?

• What mode or alignment do you want studied?• Do you want a station in your community?• What is important to you in evaluating options?• For all of the above: WHY?• Other thoughts?

What We Want to Hear from You

Alternatives Analysis

Process and Schedule

What is an Alternatives Analysis?

• First step in defining a project • Evaluation of a wide range of alternatives &

issues, including:– Modes– Alignments– Station locations– Segment lengths

• Includes public comments from scoping• Screening of alternatives to move into

environmental analysis

Project Development Process

Alternatives Analysis Schedule

Public Scoping Meetings October 2007

Public Comment Period Closes November 1, 2007

Initial Alternatives Screening Report January/February 2008

Completion of AA Study Report

Recommendation to Board of Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA)

Summer 2008

Possible AA Study Outcomes

1. Board adopts Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA)• Authorizes moving forward into Preliminary

Engineering (PE) and DEIS/DEIR

2. Board does not adopt LPA• Authorizes DEIS/DEIR for 2 or more alternatives• Defers PE until end of DEIS/DEIR

3. Board does not adopt LPA and does not authorize further actions/study

Why This Study?

What’s New?

• Long history of studying transit alternatives

• Renewed interest in considering options

• Improved tunneling technology

Growing Congestion on Westside

• High demand bus & rail lines

• Increasing traffic congestion

• Growing transit network requires regional connectivity

• Built-out streets & highways

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