CCMIN121509 - Laserfiche WebLink

Mr. McPartland apologized to the Council and public for failing to pursue this discussion at an earlier date. He stated that the DEIR was released on November 5, 2009 and is available online as well as in summary at tonight's meeting. He turned the presentation over to Mr. Quint, the primary staff person for the project. Mr. Quint stressed that this is a program EIR which only identifies a preferred alignment alternative. It does not approve construction and does not contain the same level of detail as a project specific EIR. He reviewed the program objectives, stating that the primary goals are to improve traffic congestion on Interstate 580, increase transit ridership, provide intermodal connections with other rail and bus services, and support various existing policies. He stated that the 7 current alternatives consist of either 2 stations ending at Greenville East, Vasco Road, or downtown Livermore or 1 station with an interim phasing plan. Alternative 1 travels down the 1 -580 median with an intermediate station at Isabel /I -580 until leaving the freeway in an aerial path at the eastern most end of the alignment. It then crosses under the freeway to the Greenville East station located just south of the freeway. Mr. Quint stated that four different sites in the vicinity were studied, but this particular location was chosen because of its ease in connecting with the ACE Train. Alternative la departs the 1 -580 median at El Charro Road, travels through the Chain of Lakes, intermediately stops in downtown Livermore, and then follows the Union Pacific (UP) alignment to the same Greenville East location. Alternative 1 b follows the same path to downtown Livermore but then travels the Southern Pacific alignment to the Greenville East station. Alternative 2 travels down the 1 -580 median with an intermediate station at Isabel /I -580, departs from the freeway at Los Positas Road, and joins the UP alignment to the current Vasco ACE Station. Alternative 2a departs the 1 -580 median at El Charro Road, travels through the Chain of Lakes, stops in downtown Livermore, and follows the UP alignment to the current Vasco ACE station. Alternative 3 travels the 1 -580 median to a below grade station at Isabel /I -580, continues in a subway alignment to Portola Road, then junctions into downtown Livermore. The station itself would be underground, turn, and come above grade in the vicinity of the current downtown ACE station. Alternative 3a departs the 1 -580 median at El Charro Road, travels through the Chain of Lakes in an aerial fashion, stops at an intermediate Isabel /Stanley station, follows the UP aerial alignment into downtown Livermore. He noted that the areas of Murrieta and First Street have a narrow right of way, forcing the aerial path and station until it returns to grade in the same vicinity as Alternative 3. Alternative 4 travels the 1 -580 median to Isabel /I -580. Mr. Quint explained that this is a standalone alternative with potential phasing to any of the other 3 end points discussed. Alternative 5 follows the 1 -580 median to El Charro Road, travels through the Chain of Lakes, and stops at Isabel /Stanley. This is also a standalone alternative with phasing potential. Mr. Quint stated that each alternative satisfies the project objectives in terms of ridership, congestion relief, and system expansion policies. Ridership for the two station alternatives is City Council Minutes Page 3 of 13 December 15, 2009