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Home My WebLink About14 TRITUNNEL EXPRESS 10-06-03AGENDA REPORT Agenda Item ~/'~ Reviewed: City Manager Finance Director MEETING DATE: OCTOBER 6, 2003 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 03-119 SUPPORTING THE TRITUNNEL EXPRESS ORANGE COUNTY/RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AND UTILITY CORRIDOR CONCEPT SUMMARY The TriTunnel Express is a non-profit corporation formed to educate individuals, business, and civic leaders on the coming mobility crisis in southern California if another transportation corridor is not built between Orange County and Riverside County. This group is proposing a three-tunnel multi- functional project extending from the junction of the SR-133/241 toll road under the Cleveland National Forest and emerging in the City of Corona near the junction of 1-15 and Cajalco Road. Adoption of Resolution No. 03-119 will demonstrate the City Council's support for additional studies and evaluations regarding this proposed new transportation corridor through the Cleveland National Forest. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 03-119 supporting the TriTunnel Express Orange County/Riverside Transit and Utility Corridor Concept. FISCAL IMPACT None. BACKGROUND The TriTunnel Express proposes to construct three tunnels under the Cleveland National Forrest for a distance of approximately twelve miles from the junction of SR-133/241 to near the junction of Cajalco Road and 1-15. This transportation corridor is being proposed as an alternative to building new freeways or widening existing freeways. Attachment A describes the proposed construction in more detail. The adoption of Resolution No. 03-119 will demonstrate the Council's support to conduct additional investigations and evaluations to determine the feasibility of this transportation solution. Tim D. Sedet Director of Public Works/City Engineor TDS:ccg:Supporting TriTunnel & Reso. 03-119.doc Attachments: Resolution No. 03-119 Exhibit A RESOLUTION NO. 03-119 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN SUPPORTING THE TRITUNNEL EXPRESS ORANGE COUNTY/RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AND UTILITY CORRIDOR CONCEPT WHEREAS, Orange County's economy is one of the most prosperous in America, and the continued success of that economy is dependent upon its ability to move people, goods, and services efficiently; and WHEREAS, mobility is vital to the continued quality of life of Orange County, individual cities, business, and residents; and WHEREAS, Orange County's growing population needs water, power, and essential services to survive and prosper, yet there is limited access to these essential services; and WHEREAS, the fiscal crisis in the State of California will provide little opportunity for State funding at a meaningful level to provide mobility solutions for Orange County and Southern California; and WHEREAS, the TriTunnel Express project could be financed privately; and WHEREAS, the ability to widen our freeways, or build new freeways, between Orange County and Riverside County appears to be economically and environmentally unrealistic, and WHEREAS, the mountains in the Cleveland National Forest have been a significant physical barrier and have prevented the efficient movement of goods and services between Orange and Riverside counties; and WHEREAS, at this time, based on preliminary studies, the TriTunnel Express proposal connecting at the 133/241 Toll Roads appears to have the least environmental impact compared to the other proposals between Orange County and Riverside County; and WHEREAS, a transportation solution is needed that does not increase traffic congestion or deteriorate air quality in Orange County, is economically sound and based on no new taxes, is environmentally acceptable, will not disrupt existing traffic, and could be completed in the shortest possible time; and WHEREAS, at this time, based on preliminary studies, the proposed alignment to connect the Interstate 15 to the 133/241 Toll Roads appears to be the preferred alignment because ample traffic capacity exists at both access points; and WHEREAS, the development of an airport at March Air Force Base will require improved ground access from Orange County to be effective; and WHEREAS, with the Riverside County Transportation Commission plan for an arterial from Cajalco/Interstate 15 to March Air Force Base would make March AFB the easiest airport to access outside the southern Orange County; and WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) has earmarked $700,000,000 to construct a tunnel and.install a secondary pipeline in order to provide an alternative source of treated water for southern Orange County that is consistent with the proposed TriTunnel alignment; and WHEREAS, the proposed alignment would provide maximum participation by a combination of utilities (such as water, electricity, gas, oil, and fiber optics) along with the proposed transportation corridor; and WHEREAS, at this time, based on preliminary studies, the TriTunnel Express is a transportation and utility corridor that most efficiently addresses these vital concerns and is environmentally sensitive, capable of moving large numbers of autos, trucks, along with rail, and utilities between Orange County and Riverside County under the Cleveland National Forest; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Tustin hereby express our support for greater consideration of the TriTunnel Express corridor concept and request that local jurisdictions adjacent to the proposed access points in Orange and Riverside counties, the Orange County Transportation Authority, the Riverside County Transportation Commission, Orange County Board of Supervisors, Riverside Board of Supervisors, the Transportation Corridor Agencies and public utility authorities support the timely study and evaluation of this new corridor through the Cleveland National Forest. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Tustin held on the 6th day of October 2003. Tracy Wills Worley, Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk The TriTunnel ExpressTM is a proposed 10-12 mile tunnel 'system' consisting of three 45- foot diameter tunnels under the Santa Rna Mountains. This direct-route tunnel starts slightly south of Interstate 15 Freeway (I-15) and Cajalco Road Exit in Riverside County. It extends through the Santa Ana Mountains under the Cleveland National Forest to the interchange of SR-241 and SR-133 in Orange County. It is the BEST alternative to the Riverside Fwy (91) conges- tion. This estimated $3-billion tunnel complex would be privately funded (no new taxes) transporting cars, trucks, trains, utilities and communication services. The Cleveland National Forest is California's smallest national forest and is cut into three pieces, surrounded by the suburbs of River- side, Orange and San Diego counties. The Tun- nel will not intrude on the habitat of moun- tain lions, eagles and other species that roam the sensitive chaparral-covered mountains. It will not harm the Forest with tons of pollution and yet will transport ~00 commuters a day C This one-stgp solution acco regl, and Oran alway.s ~sought. One Two-Way Commerce Tunnel will carry trucks on conveyors, high-speed light rail, and water. T#o#o#o/it$ The TriTunnel ExpressTM SOLUTION presents enormous benefits to agencies, business and end-users of the tunnel. It is economi- cally and environmentally sound! · No new taxes are required for construction as capital costs are repaid by user fees, util- ity leases and tolls. · Improved mobility promotes economic and community growth. · Ventilation scrubbing equipment assures clean air at both tunnel exits. It is a more efficient construction solution, and it costs far LESS than widening exist- ing freeways, double decking the SR-91, or building roads over the mountains. Commuting is enhanced through one-way traffic separation, trucks on conveyers, and hi light rail sound - Wildlife and gered. T ~: · An Eastbm carries lines 4 · Over 1,000,000 vehicle miles/day will travel through the Tunnel free of any emissions. · Will not displace existing homes,_ businesses, or wildlife, plus no major land purchases required. ·~ TriTunnel Express can be constructed in ~ ~ii~three years or less, without disrupting g traffic routes. generate more than GOO ~n income per year from users and industries. )role will be managed by a Ioint Powers A~ency for .~nvironmental and financial operations. · State-of-the art earthquake-sensing and design elements will be apart of construction and design. · Heavy truck traffic moves on conveyors eliminating diesel exhaust, subsequent: emissions, and avoids auto traffic. · Emergency vehicles and personnel Will:be:: ab e to move more rapidly between the: counties. · Cross-passages located and puff-out lanes in each promote traffic flow and p disabled and emergency VehiCles. Roc-Link Inc~, dba TriTunnel Express, 1 Corporate Park #101, I~ne, CA 92606 Pre-Feasabilily Study Three years of engineering work have been complet- ed by ROC-Link, Inc. The next stage is to confirm the overall viability of this construction project. A world- renowned group of companies with extensive local and international expertise in projects of this nature has come together comprising Kellogg, Brown & Root, Inc., (KSR) of the US, Halcrow of the UK and Macquarie of Australia. These companies With comprehensive experience in large tunnel and highway projects will ensure that the study find- ings will be of the highest credibility. o ~L