DATE: March 1, 2016
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Bernard Jimenez, Interim Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Proposed new alignment of Fowler and Clovis Avenue over the High Speed Rail alignment
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve an alternative alignment of Fowler Avenue and Clovis Avenue over the High Speed Rail alignment.
REPORT
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
The Board may deny the alternative alignment for Fowler and Clovis Avenues. The denial of the alternative alignment for Fowler and Clovis Avenues will require the construction of a grade separation per the Cooperative Agreement executed by the Board.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no net County cost associated with the recommended action. Staff's time to prepare the agenda item is funded by the High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) through a reimbursement agreement.
DISCUSSION:
During the environmental review and the High Speed Rail (HSR) alignment selection process, County staff working with HSR identified roads that are necessary for transportation of agricultural goods or to provide regional connectivity. If a road is determined to be critical for transportation of agricultural goods or provides connectivity to State Highway 99 or 41, staff required the construction of a grade separation. On December 10, 2013 Staff brought before the Board a Cooperative Agreement which states which roads can be closed or where a grade separation is required.
The Department of Public Works and Planning (Department) received a request to re-evaluate the grade separation alignment for Clovis Avenue just north of Elkhorn Avenue and Fowler Avenue from Elkhorn Avenue to just north of Davis Avenue. The request to re-evaluate these alignments was initiated by the property owners impacted by the project. Working with HSR, Staff has been able to identify an alternative alignment that will minimize the amount of right-of-way that needs to be acquired.
The location and al...
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