TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager
SUBJECT: Rapid Corridors Project
ACTION ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider adoption of Resolution No. 20-051 authorizing the filing of three Notices of Exemption for the Rapid Corridors Project.
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Convenient and Reliable Service
Initiative - Service Quality
The proposed project is intended to improve service reliability and reduce travel time by upgrading the transit signal priority system, improving signal coordination and bus stop optimization.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
Filing of the three Notices of Exemption will require the payment of a filling fee, estimated to be $50 each for a total of $150.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
The District is completing designs and preparing to enter the construction phase of the AC Transit Rapid Corridors Project. The Project concerns improvements to AC Transit Rapid Corridors routes on Telegraph Avenue, San Pablo Avenue and Grand/West Grand Avenue. The Project is being funded by various federal, state and local funding, including the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC) and Caltrans.
Public and private California construction projects are subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) if they meet certain criteria. As part of the initial CEQA process, the District must determine whether the Project is exempt from CEQA requirements. If it is exempt, it can avoid the considerable costs and time associated with an alternative CEQA compliance process. Based on an analysis performed by the District's consultants, DKS Associates/WRECO and Kimley Horn and Associates, the Project will not have a significant impact on the environment.
The Project falls under the exemption for existing facilities under Title 14, California Code of Regulations, section 15301, which provides: "[The Existing Facilities Exemption] ...
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