Conference call with Caltrans officials this past Monday

[Steve Goetsch]

Jack Hegenauer and I were invited to a conference call with Allan Kosup and Arturo Jacobo of Caltrans, to brief us on their plans for the expansion of Interstate Highway 5.

 

 

Caltrans is currently working on detailed plans for the “Locally Preferred Alternative” (LPA) in 3 or 4 lagoons, with respect to bridge size and location.  The LPA is now generally 8+4 with buffer.  

They are focusing on San Elijo and San Dieguito Lagoon crossings with emphasis on lengthening the bridges in order to widen the river mouth in each location to promote tidal flushing in accord

with lagoon conservancy master plans.  I-5 will be widened by one lane each direction from Del Mar Heights north to Via de la Valle.  This would involve massive amounts of fill to widen the berm.

A concrete retaining wall might be required.  Caltrans states that they can stay within their present easement.

 

Also working to harmonize LPA with the new Regional Transportation Plan ( RTP 2050) instead of the old plan RTP 2030.

 

Note:  Caltrans will no be constructing a Direct Access Ramp (DAR) in Oceanside or in  Carlsbad.  They will be KEEPING the proposed new parking lot on the northeast corner of I-5 and Manchester

although it will behalf of the originally proposed  size.    The proposal now is for a  Direct Access Ramp UNDER the freeway across the San Elijo Lagoon instead of acgiant superstructure ABOVE the bridge.

 

Caltrans will  issue  a Draft EIR – apparently containing just those narrowly focused lagoon/wetlands studies -- this summer, giving 45 days to comment.  It is not clear if this draft will include any revisions

triggered by previous comments on the DEIR.  No indication that the previous DEIR will be recirculated for additional comment; more likely that Caltrans will simply roll up all comments and their responses in the form of a final EIR.

They are also working on the DEIR for the I-5 / Route 56 interchange:  no build, plus 4 build alternatives.  This should be out for comment this spring.  No basic alteration in configuration of I-5 itself in the

Torrey Pines/Carmel Valley area, except for limiting width to existing ROW.

 

After comments received from the new Draft EIR for I-5, those comments plus all comments from 2010 DEIR will be answered and published in a Final EIR "this fall".  

 

Then Caltrans must work within SB 468 (Kehoe bill) to create a "Public Works Plan".   Will have at least 2 public meetings

 

 

Steve Goetsch

 

Citizens Against Freeway Expansion