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Home My WebLink About2019-10-15; City Council; ; Proposed enhancements to the Interstate 5 undercrossings at Carlsbad Village Drive and Chestnut Avenue as part of the North Coast Corridor Program.CA Review A L.C~ ~ CITY COUNCIL W Staff Report Meeting Date: To: From: Staff Contact: Subject: Oct. 15, 2019 Mayor and City Council Scott Chadwick, City Manager Hossein Ajideh, Engineering Manager hossein.ajideh@carlsbadca.gov, 760-602-2756 Proposed enhancements to the Interstate 5 undercrossings at Carlsbad Village Drive and Chestnut Avenue as part of the North Coast Corridor Program. Recommended Action 1. Receive a presentation from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the San Diego Association of Governments (SAN DAG) regarding proposed enhancements to the Interstate 5 (1-5) undercrossings at Carlsbad Village Drive and Chestnut Avenue as part of the North Coast Corridor (NCC) Program; and 2. Adopt a Resolution supporting the selection of Chestnut Avenue as the preferred undercrossing location for this phase. Executive Summary Build NCC is the first phase of construction of Caltrans and SANDAG's North Coast Corridor Program in the cities of Solana Beach, Encinitas and Carlsbad. The program is a 40-year, $6 billion comprehensive set oftransportation, environmental, community enhancement and coastal access projects. On July 23, 2019, the City Council received an informational presentation from Caltrans and SAN DAG on the status of Build NCC construction. During the presentation, a representative for the agencies said they are evaluating opportunities for improving the Carlsbad Village Drive and Chestnut Street undercrossings but have the funding to do the work on only one of the sites during this first phase. Caltrans asked the city to state its preference between the two sites. The issue before the City Council is to decide which of the two undercrossings the city would recommend for renovation. This report provides more information on the improvements at each location. Construction on the undercrossing selected by Caltrans is scheduled to begin in mid-2020 and continue through 2022. Staff recommends the undercrossing at Chestnut Avenue as the preferred location for reconstruction in this phase. Discussion The NCC Program is a balanced set of transportation, environmental and coastal access projects intended to improve the quality of life for residents, create a stronger local and regional Oct. 15, 2019 Item #11 Page 1 of 7 economy and enhance the coastal environment. Caltrans, SAN DAG, local cities, state agencies and community members have been working together for more than a decade to identify, refine and implement projects to meet the needs of the NCC. Construction of the first phase of the NCC Program started in 2017 and is expected to be completed in 2022. Phase 1 adds new carpool lanes on 1-5 from the Lomas Santa Fe Drive exit in Solana Beach to the State Route 78 exit in Oceanside. The construction will improve the efficiency and reliability of train service along the coast by putting two sets of tracks across two lagoons. Phase 1 of the project will also restore a coastal lagoon and hundreds of acres of sensitive habitat, improve the interchanges and overpasses at various locations, build sound walls on private properties and add nearly 30 miles of bicycle and pedestrian paths in Encinitas and Carlsbad. To accommodate the widening of 1-5, most overcrossings and undercrossings in the area will need to be replaced or widened. That construction offers an opportunity to upgrade and reconfigure local interchanges to improve pedestrian and bicycle circulation. In Carlsbad, the following improvements to the 1-5 undercrossings at Carlsbad Village Drive and Chestnut Avenue have been proposed by Caltrans and SAN DAG: Carlsbad Village Drive 1-5 undercrossing: The proposed enhancements would widen existing sidewalks to 10 feet and construct new bike lanes on each side of the roadway. A 3-foot striped buffer would separate the bike lanes from traffic. These changes would provide a safer way for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross the highway to get to the Carlsbad Village Transit Center and the beach. Chestnut Avenue 1-5 undercrossing: The proposed enhancements will widen existing sidewalks from five feet to 10 feet and add bike lanes on each side of the roadway. There are no bike lanes at this undercrossing now. The existing eight-foot-wide on-street parking area will be maintained, and a three-foot striped buffer is proposed to separate the bike lane and parking. This will also provide more protected routes under the freeway for pedestrians and bicyclists along with better connections to the bike lanes that continue along Chestnut Avenue to the east of the freeway and along nearby Harding Street to the west. Included below are overviews of the proposed improvements for each undercrossing, along with factors to consider in deciding between the two sites: Carlsbad Village Drive undercrossing Proposed improvements: • Buffer-separated bike lanes • Enhanced sidewalks • Better landscaping, with native shrubs and groundcovers (existing trees to be preserved) • Opportunity to add public art • New retaining walls • Sloped paving and concrete ditches • Shielded LED street lighting fixtures • New lighting beneath the bridge • Lighted bollards, or traffic routing posts Oct. 15, 2019 Item #11 Page 2 of 7 Factors to consider: • Temporary and permanent right-of-way acquisitions from property owners will be required • Coordination of traffic signals operated by the city and by Caltrans will be necessary • The signals and drainage systems already at the location will add to the cost and complexity of design and construction • Construction will interfere with traffic on the freeway ramps • The work will impact the gas station on the southwest corner of the intersection Chestnut Avenue undercrossing Proposed improvements: • Bike lanes and parking separated by a buffer • Improved sidewalks, with curbs moved to provide better pedestrian crossings • Better landscaping, with native shrubs and groundcovers and additional street trees • Enhanced landscaping facing Holiday Park • Opportunity to add public art • New retaining walls • Sloped paving and concrete ditches • Additional fencing • Shielded LED street lighting fixtures • New lighting under the bridge • Cobblestone paving Factors to consider: • Right-of-way acquisitions will not be required • Traffic signals will not require coordination • Bike lanes will be continued • These improvements will compliment other planned improvements in the Barrio neighborhood • The work will only impact parking temporarily during construction • This option is ·a lower cost than the Carlsbad Village Drive option After the work is done, the City of Carlsbad would be asked to enter into an agreement with Calti-ans to maintain any community enhancements and public art installed on city property in perpetuity. Based on the considerations listed above, staff is recommending the City Council select the Chestnut Avenue undercrossing as the city's preferr~d location for the improvements. The Build NCC work is estimated to cost Caltrans approximately $1.1 billion with funding coming from a combination of federal, state and regional revenue sources. Conceptual drawings for the Carlsbad Village Drive and Chestnut Avenue undercrossing enhancements are shown in Exhibits 2 and 3. Oct. 15, 2019 Item #11 Page 3 of 7 Fiscal Analysis No city funding is being requested. Next Steps Caltrans will prepare final plans of the preferred undercrossing location and submit them to the California Coastal Commission for review and approval in December 2019. Construction of the improvements on the undercrossing selected by Ca It rans is expected to begin in mid-2020 and be completed in late 2022. Environmental Evaluation (CEQA) Receiving a report and policy support for preferred under-crossing improvements does not qualify as a "project" under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per State CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, as it does not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. Public Notification This item was noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act (California Government Code Section 54950 et seq.), published and distributed at least 72 hours prior to the meeting date and time. Exhibit 1. City Council Resolution 2. Carlsbad Village Drive Undercrossing Enhancement Concept Drawings 3. Chestnut Avenue Undercrossing Enhancement Concept Drawings Oct. 15, 2019 Item #11 Page 4 of 7 RESOLUTION NO. 2019-209 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA TO SUPPORT THE SELECTION OF CHESTNUT AVENUE AS THE PREFERRED INTERSTATE 5 (1-5) UNDERCROSSING LOCATION FOR PROPOSED ENHANCEMENTS AS PART OF BUILD NCC WHEREAS, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) North Coast Corridor Program is a 40-year, $6 billion set of transportation, environmental and coastal access projects to improve the quality of life for residents, create a stronger local and regional economy and enhance the coastal environment; and WHEREAS, the first phase of construction ofthe program, known as Build NCC, offers an opportunity to upgrade and reconfigure local interchanges to improve pedestrian and bicycle circulation, integrate active transportation strategies and incorporate input from the community; and WHEREAS, in Carlsbad, improvements to the 1-5 undercrossings at Carlsbad Village Drive and Chestnut Avenue have been proposed by Caltrans and SANDAG; and WHEREAS, Caltrans is seeking support from the city for a preferred undercrossing location due to funding constraints for Build NCC; and WHEREAS, based on various considerations including right-of-way acquisitions, traffic signal coordination, improvements for bike and pedestrian accesses and other community impacts, staff is recommending Chestnut Avenue be selected as the preferred location for the undercrossing improvements; and WHEREAS, Caltrans will prepare final plans of the preferred undercrossing location and submit them to the California Coastal Commission for review and approval in December 2019 with construction ofthe preferred under-crossing improvements expected to begin in mid-2020 and completed in late 2022. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as follows: 1. That the above recitations are true and correct. 2. That the City Council supports the selection of Chestnut Avenue as the preferred 1-5 undercrossing location for proposed enhancements as part of Build NCC. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad on the 15th day of October 2019, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: Hall, Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Schumacher. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ~If ~-Hecbr6on,e2 -for BARBARA ENGLESO~, City Clerk / (SEAL) \\\\\1111111111////l ~"'''' ~ CA b~,,,///. §' o,T" '1'-' ~ ~t .....• ~.n~ ;:: L-.,, .. ..\I~~ $;:,./m\';,% fO[~, 2:_-,AlC~ \\~~/J -::::-: "·· .. ·•-,n,••·• .. · ~ , .... ~;·····•! ...... ~,.,..,J ~,,,,,7:'IFOf\\'1,,,,,~ ~lf,111111111111111' Oct. 15, 2019 Item #11 Page 5 of 7 110'~ ISldtwolk ---1tlxlstlog1.S:1Slo,e ---........ -..±711. 11' ft-:12' 12' ~~ 11' 90' hrt•nd 81kt E8 LIM --;;;;-;;;;:-IU<t ~ Sldewolk Bullet I..> Bufftr § . "-........... :t.1111. Chestnut Ave. Undercrosslng Facing West Typical Cross Section Exhibit 3 1-5 North Coast Corridor Phase 1, Stage 4 Palomar Airport Road to State Route 78 HOV Project Chestnut Avenue Enhancement Figure 4-2 Oct. 15, 2019 Item #11 Page 7 of 7 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Council Internet Email Tuesday, October 15, 2019 10:23 AM City Clerk All Receive -Agenda Item # Jl For the Information of the: CITY COUNCIL Date/!i.!5/.B_ CA _0C ~ iU _,.-,::-i i ...!.EliiM !ill_.,,,.--- Subject: FW: October 15, 2019 City Council Meeting, Agenda Item 11 -----Original Message----- From: simon angel Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2019 10:08 AM To: Council Internet Email <CityCouncil@carlsbadca .gov> Subject: October 15, 2019 City Council Meeting, Agenda Item 11 In regard to Agenda Item #11, I wish to express support for the staff recommendation designating the Chestnut Avenue Undercrossing as the preferred choice for improvements as indicated in the staff report. Thank you. Simon Angel 1 October 15, 2019 Hossein Ajideh, Engineering Manager Babaq Taj, Acting Transportation Director Enhancements to Interstate 5 Undercrossings at Carlsbad Village Dr. and Chestnut Ave. as part of the North Coast Corridor Program Recommended Actions 1.Receive a presentation from Caltrans and SANDAG regarding proposed enhancements to I-5 undercrossings at Carlsbad Village Dr. and Chestnut Ave. as part of North Coast Corridor (NCC) Program 2.Adopt a Resolution supporting selection of Chestnut Ave. as the preferred undercrossing location for this phase Presentation from Caltrans and SANDAG In ConstructionI-5 Express Lanes & San Elijo Lagoon Highway BridgeOpen to Traffic Late 2021 Ready for ConstructionI-5 Express LanesSpring 2020 In ConstructionSan Elijo Lagoon RestorationComplete Mid 2020 CompletedCoastal Rail Trail CompletedSan Elijo Lagoon Rail Bridge PHASE ONE “BUILD NCC” –STATUS INTERSTATE 5 NORTH COAST CORRIDOR COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT PLAN -2008 Visual simulation CITY OF CARLSBAD ENHANCEMENTS PHASE 1 •I-5 North Coast Trail •Chestnut Avenue Enhancement PHASE 2 •La Costa Avenue Enhanced Park & Ride Lot •North Coast Trail Lagoon Crossings •Carlsbad Village Drive Enhancement Carlsbad Village South Carlsbad St.11e Beach Campground CHESTNUT AVENUE –PROPOSED COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT NEW CURB RAMPSWIDER SIDWALKS AND NEW BIKE LANES WBl.:. ..:1...:·~•1r.-:-.. 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Chestnut Ave. Undercrosslng Facing West Typical Cross Section HOLl04Y PMII( 1-5 North Coast Corridor Phase 1, Stage 4 Palomar Airport Road to State Route 78 HOV Project Chestnut Avenue Enhancement Figur-e 4-2 CHESTNUT AVENUE –PROPOSED COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT WIDER SIDEWALKS NEW LIGHTING NEW BIKE LANES OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC ART I 10' 10' ---To Existing 1.5:1 Slope ---Retaining Wall ±7 ft. 11' 12' 12' 11' 10' Park and Buffer EB Lane WB Lane Park and Sidewalk Buffer Chestnut Ave. Undercrossing Facing West Typical Cross Section Existing Bridge 10' I Conform to Existing 1.5:1 Slope CARLSBAD VILLAGE DRIVE –COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT OPPORTUNITY 1-5 North Coast Corriclor Phase 1, Stage 4 Palomar Airport Road to State Route 78 HOV Project Carlsbad Village Drive Improvements Figure 4-1 Adopt a Resolution supporting selection of Chestnut Ave. as the preferred undercrossing location for this phase Recommended Action Thank you BATIQUITOS LAGOON –PLANNED BIKE/PED TRAIL ON WEST SIDE OF INTERSTATE 5 Proposed Alignment Poinsettia Lane Avenida Encinas Pedestrian Trail