DATE: January 21, 2020
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: James Bypass Bridge Replacement Project on Manning Avenue (Initial Study Application No. 7326, SCH No. 2019129056), Federal Project Number BRLO-5942(233)
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Adopt Mitigated Negative Declaration prepared for the James Bypass Bridge Replacement Project on Manning Avenue (Two Bridges), three miles east of the nearest city limits of the City of San Joaquin (Initial Study Application No. 7326, SCH No. 2019129056), Federal Project Number BRLO-5942(233).
REPORT
Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Department of Public Works and Planning prepared an Initial Study (IS), which determined that mitigation measures are required to reduce project impacts on the environment to a less than significant level, see Exhibit A. A Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) have been prepared for the project, see Exhibit B and C. This item pertains to a location in District 1.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose not to adopt the MND if determined that a significant environmental impact may result from the project, then direct the Department to modify the MMRP or prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the James Bypass Bridge Replacement Project (Project).
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The Project is eligible for 100% reimbursement of construction costs, currently estimated at $4,000,000, under the Federal Highway Bridge Program (HBP) administered by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Roads Org 4510 FY 2019-20 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
According to CEQA Guidelines Section 15063(c), the purpose of an IS is to determine if the project will have a significant effect on the environment, and then to determine whether a Negative Declaration, a MND, or an EIR should be prepared. If the IS identifies any significant impacts, the County can modify the project to eliminate or reduce the impacts to a less than significant level. If mitigation measures are required to reduce environmental impacts to a less than significant level, a MND and an accompanying MMRP are prepared. The EIR is required only if the IS determines the project may have a significant impact on the environment that cannot be reduced to a less than significant level.
The IS prepared for the Project on Manning Avenue (see Exhibit C) concluded that mitigation measures are necessary to address potential impacts. For this reason, a MND and accompanying MMRP are required for the Project. The recommended action consists of the adoption of the MND in conformance with CEQA.
Two Bridges
The two bridges on Manning Avenue over James Bypass Floodway, three miles east of the nearest city limits of the City of San Joaquin, were built in 1957 and will be replaced concurrently with new bridges built to current design standards.
The easternmost bridge over the James Bypass East Channel, No. 42C0067, underwent seismic retrofitting in 1987 but has been designated “structurally deficient.” The bridge is a concrete channel beam structure with three spans and a concrete precast panel deck, approximately 74-feet long and 37-feet wide. The replacement bridge will be a 44-foot wide by 70-foot long single-span precast prestressed voided slab bridge with outrigger type pile foundations and type 836A barrier rails.
The westernmost bridge over the James Bypass West Channel, No. 42C0066, is a concrete channel beam structure with six spans and a concrete precast panel deck, approximately 184-feet long and 37-feet wide. The existing bridge is designated as “scour critical,” which refers to bridge scour, the most common reason for bridge failure. Bridge scour is defined as streambed undermining from beneath the bridge’s abutment or pier footings due to seasonal high flows in in the channel, compromising the integrity and stability of the bridge structure. The replacement bridge will be a 44-foot wide by 180-foot long three-span precast prestressed voided slab bridge with outrigger type pile foundations and type 836 barrier rails.
Project
The Project will be constructed using an accelerated method to reduce impacts on the travelling public. With this method, the bridge supports will be constructed underneath the existing bridges allowing the roadway to remain open during most of the construction period. This method will require approximately four three-to-four-day weekend closures to demolish the existing bridges, erect girders, place concrete and asphalt concrete, and complete other associated items of work. To minimize the duration of the road closure, night work may be required.
IS No. 7326 indicates there is no evidence that demonstrates the Project will have a significant impact on the environment with the implementation of the mitigation measures included in the MMRP. The MMRP includes mitigation measures to address potential impacts due to Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, and Hazards and Hazardous Waste. Additionally, the MMRP includes Project Notes to facilitate compliance with regulatory requirements related to Hydrology and Water Quality.
Based on the IS, Department staff has concluded that preparation of an EIR is not required for the Project. The Department recommends adoption of an MND based on the findings of IS No. 7326. A Notice of Intent to adopt an MND for the project was published in the Fresno Business Journal on December 18, 2019.
With your Board’s approval, the MND will be adopted for the Project on Manning Avenue. It is anticipated that the Department will return to your Board requesting approval to award the construction contract later in 2020. Plans and specifications are being prepared by the Department’s consultant, Cornerstone Structural Engineering Group, Inc.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
Development of the Project was coordinated with Caltrans, who provides oversight on local projects where Federal funds are allocated.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #49, November 14, 2017
BAI #52, August 19, 2014
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Location Map
Exhibit A - C
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa