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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRPT 4 GRADE SEP'S 12-21-92REPORTS NO. 4 12-21-92 AGENE)A 'ATE: DECEMBER 21, 1992 TO: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/ENGINEERING DIVISION FUTURE EDINGER AVENUE GRADE SEPARATIONS AT TUSTIN RANCH ROAD, SUBJECT: AT RED BILL AVENUE AND NEWPORT AVENUE EXTENSION TO EDINGER AVENUE RECOMMENDATIONS: That the Tustin City Council approve the following: 1. Reactivate the Tustin Ranch Road extension project (Walnut Avenue to Edinger Avenue) to pursue a roadway design including conceptual/preliminary design of the grade separation structure and access ramps at Edinger Avenue based upon and coordinated with the Marine Corps Air Station Base Reuse Plan. 2. At the completion of the Moulton Parkway (Edinger Avenue) Super Street EIR, evaluate the Red Hill Avenue conceptual overpass alternatives as presented -and proceed with a formal project as desired. 3. Negotiate with Catellus Development to accelerate the plan preparation for both Phase I and Phase II of the Newport Avenue extension. BACKGROUND The City Council, at their meeting of December 7, 1992, requested staff to prepare a status update and suggested actions on three key roadway improvements within the City: 1. Extension of Tustin Ranch Road southerly from Walnut Avenue to Edinger Avenue inclusive of a grade separation over the AT&SF Railroad Tracks, Flood Control Channel and Edinger Avenue with access ramps to and from Edinger Avenue. Additionally, the further extension of Tustin Ranch Road to Barranca Parkway at the Von Karmon Avenue intersection. 2. A grade separation of Red Hill Avenue at both Edinger Avenue and the AT&SF Railroad/Flood Control Channel. 3. The extension of Newport Avenue southerly from its current terminus to Edinger Avenue as an underpass below the AT&SF Railroad and Flood Control Channel. It was the City Councils desire to pursue and complete the environmental documentation and the preparation of construction drawings so that these projects would be shelf ready in the event any outside funding sources would become available. Future Edinger Avenue Grade Separation December 21, 1992 Page 2 DISCUSSION: Each of the identified projects will be discussed individually as follows: TUSTIN RANCH ROAD This project will consist of the construction of a six -lane major arterial highway between Walnut Avenue and Edinger Avenue with a bridge structure spanning the Orange County Flood Control Channel, AT&SF Railroad tracks and Edinger Avenue. The roadway improvements would initially terminate southerly of Edinger Avenue and include access ramps both to and from Edinger Avenue. Ultimately, it is planned to extend Tustin Ranch Road southerly from Edinger Avenue to Barranca Parkway through the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) to align with Von Karmon Avenue. This extension of Tustin Ranch Road to Barranca Parkway will be studied and included with the Base Reuse Plan, which is currently in progress. The City was previously proceeding with the environmental documentation and plan preparation for the initial extension of Tustin Ranch Road from Walnut Avenue to Edinger Avenue inclusive of the grade separation and interchange ramps to Edinger Avenue prior to the announcement of the MCAS Base closure. This design was based upon the concept of minimum impact to the MCAS military reservation per previous discussions with the military and economic reasons. After the announcement of the base closure and at the recommendation of staff, the City Council, at their meeting of February 3, 1992, put the environmental document presentation and plan preparation of the Tustin Ranch Road facilities on hold until such time as the Base Reuse Plan had progressed to a point where it could be determined what areas would be available for road construction without impacting any remaining MCAS facilities. At this time staff suggests that the Tustin Ranch Road project be reactivated to pursue a roadway design including conceptual/preliminary design of the grade separation structure and access ramps to and from Edinger Avenue. This would also be a benefit to -the Base Reuse Plan and the MCAS so as to coordinate access for the remaining base facilities such as housing, etc. There is currently $231,800.00 budgeted in the 1992-93 Capital Improvement Program which could be applied to the reactivation of this project. - The total estimated environmental document preparation and engineering design cost is $500,000 to $600,000 resulting in an unbudgeted amount of approximately $368,200. RED HILL AVENUE This project will conceptually consist of one grade separation structure over Edinger Avenue, the AT&SF Railroad Tracks and the Flood Control Channel and would consist of ramps for the northbound access from Red Hill Avenue to Edinger Avenue and access to southbound Red Hill from Edinger Avenue and a new street system for Future Edinger Avenue Grade Separation December 21, 1992 Page 3 access to Edinger Avenue from both northbound and southbound Red Hill Avenue. This intersection study is being included within the Moulton Parkway (Edinger Avenue) Super Street Environmental Document on a conceptual basis only as it is not intended to be included within the current super street construction project. The Moulton Parkway Environmental Document is being prepared by the County and is scheduled for completion in fall of 1993. At that time, after the project impacts have been evaluated by the City and if found to be acceptable, it is suggested that the project be formalized with a final environmental document and that the City proceed with final construction drawings and right-of-way acquisition as funding becomes available. The estimated cost of final environmental documentation and engineering design of this project ranges from $900,000 to $1,300,000. NEWPORT AVENUE This project will consist of the southerly extension of Newport Avenue from its current terminus to Edinger Avenue as an underpass below the AT&SF Railroad and Flood Control Channel. This extension will require the relocation of the northbound Route 55 on-off ramps and the further southerly extension of Newport Avenue to Valencia Avenue to accommodate the ramp relocations. Catellus Development Company is the catalyst for the initiation of this project with their proposed Pacific Center East Development. The Newport Avenue project, as it is planned today, is funded by Development, Redevelopment Agency Funds and any competitive Measure 'M' Funds which may be available. The first phase of the Newport Avenue extension project is the Route 55 northbound ramp relocations and the construction of the Newport Avenue extension between Edinger Avenue and Valencia Avenue, which is development (Catellus) driven. The second phase between Edinger Avenue and the current Newport Avenue terminus is primarily development driven and supported by Redevelopment Agency Funds which also depends upon development/property improvement to generate tax increment revenues. The design of improvements for both Phase I and Phase II has been assigned as a developer responsibility with the approval of the Pacific Center East Specific Plan. It is staffs understanding that Catellus does not envision any major development within Pacific Center East for another five to seven years, as a result of the current economic environment. It is suggested that the City work out a plan with Catellus to proceed with the preparation of plans, etc. for the required Newport Avenue improvements so as to accelerate the project once Future Edinger Avenue Grade Separation --- December 21, 1992 Page 4 the economy/development industry returns to a favorable status. The estimated cost of engineering design for both Phase I and II of this project ranges from $900,000 to $1,300,000. These three projects are all key elements to the City's north -south traffic circulation system. In reviewing the potential construction impacts to existing traffic circulation, it is suggested that the actual construction/ implementation be pursued in the following order. 1. Tustin Ranch Road 2. Newport Avenue 3. Red Hill Avenue Red Hill Avenue will most likely require a complete closure during certain phases of construction and the existence of the other roadways would certainly help to minimize any adverse traffic impacts to the community. Robert Ledendecker Director of Public Works/City Engineer RL:ccg:gradesep