Lake Tahoe Blvd Enhancemet Project - El Dorado County ......The Lake Tahoe Boulevard Enhancement...

Lake Tahoe Boulevard Enhancement Project

Final Preferred Project Alternative Report

Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) Project #s | 991 | 10036 | 10065

Prepared by: County of El Dorado, California Department of Transportation

Tahoe Engineering Unit 924B Emerald Bay Road

South Lake Tahoe, California 96150

August 2011

Table of Contents

Executive Summary ............................................................................................................. 1 Project Background.............................................................................................................. 1 Project Alternatives Evaluation & Selection Process ............................................................ 3 Preferred Project Alternative ................................................................................................ 3 Engineer’s Cost Estimate ..................................................................................................... 6 Schedule .............................................................................................................................. 7 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................... 8 References........................................................................................................................... 8

List of Tables

Table 1 – Master List of Threshold Needs ............................................................................ 1 Table 2 – Preliminary Engineer’s Cost Estimate................................................................... 6 Table 3 – Proposed Project Schedule .................................................................................. 7

List of Figures

Figure A – Project Area ........................................................................................................ 2

Appendix A - Preferred Project Alternative Plans


Final Preferred Alternative Report - 1 - August 2011

Executive Summary

This Preferred Project Alternative Report (PAR) summarizes the work that was done to develop Project Alternatives for the Lake Tahoe Boulevard Enhancement Project (Project) and presents the results of the analysis of those Alternatives. This report also presents the Preferred Alternative for the Project that will be further studied and designed prior to being constructed.

Project Background

The Lake Tahoe Boulevard Enhancement Project (Project) is intended to provide a critical link in the Regional bicycle path network and to stabilize soil, restore stream environment zones (SEZ) and improve storm water quality within the Project area. The Project supports the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s (TRPA) and the Tahoe Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (TMPO) Lake Tahoe Region Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan by installing a Class I and/or Class II bicycle facility along Lake Tahoe Boulevard (LTB) between Clear View Drive (CVD) and Viking Road (VR).1 The purpose of the Lake Tahoe Region Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan is to provide access to local businesses, schools, and offices for bicyclists and pedestrians, to reduce vehicular transportation, and to enhance recreational opportunities within the Lake Tahoe Basin (Basin). The Project also supports TRPA’s Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) and the California Tahoe Conservancy’s (CTC) March 1987 Report on Soil Erosion Control Needs and Projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin by installing low impact Best Management Practices (BMPs).2 3

The Project is located in eastern El Dorado County, in the Lake Tahoe Basin, along LTB. The Project involves the installation of a Class I and Class II bicycle facility along LTB between CVD and VR and implementation of erosion control and water quality improvement measures along LTB. The Project is also intended to reduce nutrient and sediment loading to nearby waterways and treat storm water runoff from the existing roadway infrastructure by installing appropriate BMPs. The Project design will incorporate popular recreational areas, such as Sawmill Pond, with opportunities to mitigate erosion along LTB.

EIP Project #s 991, 10036, 10065

In the 2001 EIP update, the proposed Project is separated into three projects:

o Lake Tahoe Boulevard Lane Reduction (#991 - Soil Conservation/SEZ Threshold);

o Class II Bike Lane: LTB from D Street to Tahoe Mountain Road (TMR) (#10036 - Air Quality/Transportation, Recreation); and,

o Lake Tahoe Boulevard Erosion Control Project (#10065 - Water Quality).

Table 1 below summarizes the “Master List of Threshold Needs” based on the 2001 EIP.

Table 1 – Master List of Threshold Needs

Project Threshold Index Threshold Indicator

R1-A Multi-Use Trails SC1-B Hard Coverage 991

SC2 Naturally-Functioning SEZ SC2 Naturally-Functioning SEZ

10036 AQ7 Vehicle Miles Traveled WQ5 Runoff Water WQ2-A Pelagic Lake Tahoe Winter Water Clarity 10065

WQ6 Groundwater



Figure A – Project Area



Project Alternatives Evaluation & Selection Process

The County of El Dorado (County) followed the Storm Water Quality Improvement Committee (SWQIC) guidelines and the guidance outlined in the Formulating and Evaluating Alternatives for Water Quality Improvement Projects document in developing and selecting the Preferred Project Alternative.4 The County first developed a Draft Existing Conditions and Feasibility Report (ECFR) in July 2008.5 In order to inform the public of the final version of that report, a public meeting was held to present the feasible options for the Project and to obtain feedback from the community on what key components they were interested in for the Project. That public meeting provided critical feedback from the community that was utilized to develop the Final ECFR in December 2008.

The County then had to focus on other project priorities and deliverables, and some time lapsed until it was able to produce a Draft Project Alternatives Evaluation Report (PAER) in April 2011. The County considered the feedback from the Project Development Team (PDT) and revised the Draft PAER prior to releasing it to the public. The County then held another public meeting on April 29, 2011 to present the Project Alternatives to the community and to again receive feedback on which Project Alternative was preferred by the public. Over 200 comments were received as a result of the County public outreach efforts. This feedback was invaluable to helping the County to provide a Project that the community would value and support.

It was evident from the comments that the public favored Project Alternative 3, although many varying opinions favoring different Alternatives were noted. Because of the support of Alternative 3, the County wanted to further explore that Alternative to ensure that all feasible options were investigated on how best to connect the bike path through the wet meadow area south of Sawmill Road (SR). As a result, the County developed Alternatives 3A and 3B, which were slightly different versions of the original Alternative 3. The County produced a website to disseminate the information focusing on Alternatives 3A and 3B. The County also met with a reporter from the local print media, Tahoe Daily Tribune, in order to publicize the information contained in the website. After incorporating all of the feedback that it received and after further discussions with PDT members and County managers, the Final PAER was produced in July 2011.6 That Report was published on the County website and made available for review at the County Department of Transportation (DOT) office.

The County focused on safety as its number one priority, while looking for a Project that could be built within budget and met the goals and objectives outlined for the Project. The County continually received and digested feedback on the two Project Alternatives (3A and 3B) that it presented on the website. After considering the two final Project Alternatives, the County decided, based on all the feedback that was received, to select Alternative 3B as the Preferred Project Alternative. The County feels this Project most adequately satisfies the goals and objectives of the Project and can be feasibly constructed. The Preferred Project Alternative is described below.

Preferred Project Alternative

The Preferred Project Alternative is shown in Appendix A on Exhibits 1 through 4, and consists of several Project components:

• Bike Path and Bike Lane;

• Erosion Control;

• Hydraulic Conveyance;



• Water Quality;

• SEZ Enhancement;

• Safety;

• Land Coverage; and,

• LTB Lane Reduction Component.

These Project components are outlined in the following sections to describe the design opportunities and the features associated with each component.

Bike Path and Bike Lane Component

� Install Class II bike lanes along LTB from CVD to TMR.

� Install Class II bike lanes within the existing outside lanes of LTB from TMR to SR. Remove and restore approximately four feet of pavement in the eastbound lanes and four feet of pavement in the westbound lanes of LTB. This includes removing fill material in the SEZ and restoring the area.

� Install Class I bike path on the north side of LTB along the existing dirt path on United States Forest Service (USFS) property from SR to VR.

The proposed western portion of the Class II bike lanes will connect to the existing Class II bike lanes along LTB that end at CVD. Class II bike lanes are proposed on both sides of the existing two lanes of LTB from CVD to TMR. Additional minor pavement width will be required in this section to include the bike lanes.

Continuing east, Class II bike lanes are proposed along LTB within the two existing outside travel lanes from TMR to the intersection of SR, reducing this section of LTB from four lanes to two lanes. This section also includes a speed limit reduction from 45 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour. The proposed six foot bike/pedestrian lanes in this section will be next to 12 foot wide inside travel lanes, which will have two foot paved shoulders. Approximately two feet of pavement is proposed to be removed and restored on both sides of LTB, totaling four feet of pavement removal. The future Sawmill 2 Bike Path is proposed to end at the intersection of LTB and SR where the LTB bike lanes will link with the proposed Sawmill 2 Bike Path. A crosswalk, a pedestrian refuge island and pedestrian actuated signals are proposed at this location to provide a safe crossing for pedestrians. This LTB crossing at SR will link the Sawmill Bike Path to the Class II bike lanes along LTB and the proposed Class I bike path to the east to the City of South Lake Tahoe.

The eastern section of the proposed Class I bike path begins on the north side of LTB at the intersection of SR. This section of the Class I bike path generally follows the existing dirt path on the north side of LTB to the intersection of LTB and VR. This portion of the bike path will require the installation of approximately six culvert crossings to convey runoff from the uphill watersheds beneath the bike path. This portion of the Class I bike path will consist of an eight foot wide paved path with a two foot wide wood chip shoulder (clear-zone) on both sides of the path. The bike path is proposed to span SEZ areas with new culverts and improved upstream and downstream channels. These areas slated for improvement are at existing drainages along the existing dirt path. This section of the proposed bike path will link to the existing Class II bike lanes along LTB ending at the intersection of VR and LTB.

This alternative requires that a Special Use Permit be obtained from the USFS and an encroachment permit be obtained from the City of South Lake Tahoe.



Erosion Control Component

� Revegetate eroding slopes and bare areas to provide sediment source control along LTB.

� Armor eroding conveyance channels to provide sediment source control along LTB.

The primary focus for erosion control will be to provide sediment source control on eroding roadside slopes and on bare road shoulders. Revegetation techniques will be used on eroding slopes and other bare eroding areas. Source control will also be achieved by armoring or vegetation lining portions of the bare soil conveyance ditches along LTB.

Hydraulic Conveyance Component

� Replace failing or undersized culverts to prevent road damage and flooding.

� Modify channels to correctly size conveyance upstream/downstream of culverts.

� Install drainage inlets to collect road runoff into storm drain system.

� Install new culverts beneath the newly proposed bike path.

Hydraulic conveyance will primarily be enhanced by upgrading failing or undersized culverts that exist along LTB. Also, as mentioned above; new culverts will be installed to properly convey upland runoff beneath the newly proposed bike path. Channel armoring upstream and downstream of culverts will enhance conveyance to minimize road and bike path damage and flooding.

Water Quality Component

� Install sediment traps, one sediment basin, rock bowls, and flow spreaders, to trap sediment and infiltrate runoff.

� Remove pavement in SEZ for water quality treatment.

Water quality treatment options for storm water include sediment traps, rock bowls, flow spreaders and sediment basins.

SEZ Enhancement Component

� SEZ enhancement will be achieved via installation of an additional culvert or bottom-less arch crossing LTB along the curve between TMR and SR at a different location than the existing undersized culvert to increase hydraulic connectivity by routing previously diverted flows to additional parts of the SEZ to increase the stream zone treatment area.

� Pavement removal and revegetation from TMR to SR.

Safety Component

� Safety improvements/traffic calming will be accomplished via reduction of LTB from four lanes to two lanes with an accompanying speed limit reduction from 45 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour from TMR to SR.

� A two foot paved shoulder will provide safety adjacent to the 12 foot travel lane and the six foot wide Class II bike lanes will provide pedestrians and cyclists with an enhanced safety corridor.



� Safety improvements will be installed including a pedestrian crosswalk, a refuge island and a flashing beacon for crossing LTB at the intersection of SR.

Land Coverage Component

� Land coverage will be decreased by approximately 11,520 square feet in land capability class 1b due to the pavement removal along LTB from TMR to SR.

LTB Lane Reduction Component

� Lanes will be reduced to one lane in each direction for the section of LTB between TMR and SR. Additionally, intersections will be improved at LTB and SR and at LTB and TMR. All other lane configurations remain unchanged.

Engineer’s Cost Estimate

Table 2 represents the preliminary engineer’s cost estimate to construct the Preferred Project Alternative. The unit prices shown are an estimate of the fair and reasonable price the County expects to pay for each of the items of work performed. The County will update the estimate during the design phase as the project construction details, specifications and plans are finalized into a contract document. The preliminary engineer’s cost estimate is based on the expected contract items as of the date of this report.

Table 2 – Preliminary Engineer’s Cost Estimate

Item # DescriptionUnit of

Measure

Estimated

Quantity

Unit Price

(In Figures)

Total Price

(In Figures)

1 Mobilization LS 1 150,000$ 150,000$

2 Traffic Control LS 1 20,000$ 20,000$

3 Temporary Erosion Control LS 1 50,000$ 50,000$

4 Crosswalk and Signal and Signing EA 3 3,000$ 9,000$

5 Crosswalk Refuge Island EA 1 5,000$ 5,000$

6 Bike Path Pavement LF 8,919 15$ 133,785$

7 Bike Path Signing Striping (Road) LF 2,461 2$ 4,922$

8 Bike Path Signing and Striping LF 8,919 2$ 17,838$

9 Pavement Removal SF 11,400 2$ 22,800$

10 12" Bike Path Culvert LF 96 90$ 8,640$

11 18" Road Culvert LF 280 140$ 39,200$

12 24" Road Culvert LF 210 150$ 31,500$

13 Armored Channel LF 3,100 60$ 186,000$

14 Rock Bowl EA 29 120$ 3,480$

15 Flared End Section EA 28 800$ 22,400$

16 Sediment Trap EA 29 7,500$ 217,500$

17 Sediment Basin EA 1 25,000$ 25,000$

18 Log Fence LF 250 75$ 18,750$

19 Revegetation LS 1 100,000$ 100,000$

Sub Total 1,065,815$

assumption12" bike path culvert 16 LF (typ)

Rock Bowl: Assume 60 SF per occurrenceroad culvert length 70 LF (typ)

8' wide paved bike path

OTHER

ROADWAY / BIKE PATH

DRAINAGE



Schedule

Table 3 is the current proposed schedule as the Project continues to move forward toward construction. The Anticipated Completion Dates shown are subject to change.

Table 3 – Proposed Project Schedule

Project Stage Milestone/ Task

Anticipated Completion Date

Alternatives Report Stage

Draft PAER March 2011

PDT Draft PAER Meeting April 2011

Draft PAER Public Meeting April 2011

Complete Final PAER July 2011

Complete Preferred Alternative Memorandum (PAM) and Permit Packet

September 2011

PDT Meeting - PAM, Preliminary Design Report, Preliminary Plans, and Agency Permit Applications

September 2011

Environmental Assessment Stage

Environmental Field Surveys* September 2011

Administrative Draft Initial Study/Environmental Assessment (IS/EA), TRPA Checklist, and Biological Assessment/Biological Evaluation (BA/BE) PDT Submittal

December 2011

Draft California Environmental Quality Act/National Environmental Policy Act (CEQA/NEPA) and TRPA Initial Environmental Checklist (IEC) Submittals

December 2011

Complete Final Documents for Adoption and Certifications February 2012

California Environmental Quality Act/ Mitigated Negative Declaration (CEQA/MND) Approval

March 2012

Pre-Final Plans, Specifications & Reports Stage

Complete Pre-final Project Design Plans and Contract Specifications

April 2012

PDT Permit Applications Submittal May 2012

PDT Pre-final Project Design Plans, Contract Specifications, and Design Report Meeting

July 2012

* - USFS to perform



Conclusion

The County is proud to present this Preferred Project Alternative to the community and to the PDT and feels that it performed its due diligence in putting the best Project forward. This Project will be an incredibly valuable asset to the community and will provide a critical link in the bike path network in the County of El Dorado and the Lake Tahoe Basin. The Project will, upon completion, connect the Mountain View Estates and Angora Highlands neighborhoods with the City of South Lake Tahoe, the South “Y” Transit Center, and the South Tahoe High School as well as residential areas along North Upper Truckee Road. This Project is built in tandem with the Sawmill 1 and Sawmill 2 Bike Path Projects which the County spearheaded and the built-out bike path network will no doubt become an iconic trail system in the south shore of Lake Tahoe and will serve numerous residents and visitors to the Lake Tahoe Basin. This Project and the future bike path network are good for promoting tourism, maintaining human health, enhancing sustainability, improving air quality and providing alternative modes of transportation for those individuals wishing to utilize them.

References

1 Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. (2010). Lake Tahoe region bicycle and pedestrian

plan. Stateline, NV.

2 Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. (2001). Environmental improvement program: The

cooperative effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe region. Stateline, NV.

3 California Tahoe Conservancy. (1987). Report on soil erosion control needs and projects

in the Lake Tahoe basin. South Lake Tahoe, CA.

4 Northwest Hydraulic Consultants. (2004). Formulating and evaluating alternatives for water quality improvement projects. West Sacramento, CA.

5 Stantec Consulting Inc. (2008). Lake Tahoe Boulevard enhancement project feasibility

report. Sacramento, CA.

6 County of El Dorado Department of Transportation. (2011). Lake Tahoe Boulevard project

alternatives evaluation report. South Lake Tahoe, CA.

Appendix A

Preferred Project Alternative Plans

Lake Tahoe Blvd Enhancemet Project - El Dorado County ......The Lake Tahoe Boulevard Enhancement...

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