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What is the current status of the Expo Phase 2 project?
The proposed extension of the Expo Line is currently undergoing the environmental planning process. A Final
Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) is underway and should be completed by the end of 2009. The FEIR will then be presented to the Expo Board of Directors for evaluation and certification. |
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What is an Environmental Impact Report (EIR)?
The EIR is developed to meet the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and is required of all major projects in the State of California. It is developed as a draft (DEIR) for public review and comment, and a final (FEIR) for Expo Board action. The EIR studies the potential environmental impacts that may result from the project, evaluates alternatives to the project, and identifies measures to mitigate the significant effects of the project.
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Where can I get information about the environmental
process?
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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What is the schedule for the Project?
Please click on the link below for the project schedule
Expo Phase 2 Target Schedule
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How did the Exposition Corridor become a designated transportation corridor for congestion relief?
The east/west corridor from West Los Angeles to the downtown central business district is
among the most congested transportation corridors in the country. For many years,
transportation planners and policy makers alike have been studying options to reduce traffic congestion, improve travel times and provide a full range of transit alternatives for this corridor. The Exposition Corridor has been identified as a priority in Metro’s Long Range
Transportation Plan for several years.
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Who is funding the Phase 2 project/study?
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is providing funding
for the study. The Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority (Expo) is managing the
alternatives analysis and environmental studies and related processes.
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What factors determine whether a rail project is built at street level (at-grade), below ground (below-grade), or aerial (above-grade)?
Many engineering and environmental factors are considered when determining whether a crossing will be street level (at-grade), below ground, or aerial (above grade). These include travel times, trip reliability, transit capacity, safety and security, right-of-way impacts, natural and cultural resources, traffic and circulation, visual and aesthetic impacts, noise and vibration impacts, construction impacts, cost-effectiveness, and other items.
The first step is to complete an evaluation of traffic conditions and determine whether at-grade is feasible in accordance with the Metro Grade Crossing Policy. Where an at-grade crossing is indicated, a traffic analysis is also undertaken to determine the impact on area traffic. Environmental and engineering considerations may come into effect that could impact crossing options as well.
Finally, all grade crossing decisions must be approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
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Where will the stations be located and big will they be?
The environmental study will describe where stations will be located, the land area required for them and the support facilities to be provided at each location.
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How do you decide where to include parking, and whether it is surface parking or a structure?
The travel demand model predicts how many people might want to park at a station. Each station is then evaluated to determine whether there is room within existing publically owned property. If not, the project teams looks for land within reasonable walking distance (approximately 1000’) of the station.
If a property acquisition is required, we then perform a cost analysis of completing the required parking at-grade (surface parking) or in a parking structure. Because of the very high land costs on the Westside, it is often less costly to build structured parking than to acquire adequate land for surface parking.
In some locations, the parking requirement was low, and/or the travel demand model demonstrated that those parkers would access a different station if parking was not provided. In those cases, parking is not being recommended at those locations.
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Will any homes or buildings be removed to make way for the proposed transit system in the Exposition Corridor?
The detailed design studies that would identify specific properties that would need to be acquired have not been completed at this time. The EIR will identify such homes and/or businesses for each of the alternatives studied. The Expo Authority will make every effort to minimize the acquisition of private property and the dislocation of businesses.
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Will any homes or buildings be removed to make way for the proposed transit
system in the Exposition Corridor?
The detailed design studies that would identify specific properties or businesses for potential removal have not been completed at this time. The FEIR will identify any homes or businesses required to be removed for each of the alternatives studied.
The Expo Authority will make every effort to minimize the acquisition of private property or the dislocation of businesses.
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How are mitigations identified and implemented?
The detailed project definition and the required mitigations are determined through the environmental process. Along with the FEIR, the Board adopts the Mitigation Monitoring Plan, and the project is required to provide all of those mitigations. The final cost estimate for the project is developed after the FEIS/FEIR is completed and includes the costs associated with the required mitigations.
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