RECOMMENDATION(S): (CONT'D)
ADOPT the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation and Monitoring Reporting Plan in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (the custodian of which is the Department of Conservation and Development Director who is located at 651 Pine Street, Martinez), and
DIRECT the Director of Conservation and Development to file a Notice of Determination with the County Clerk, and
AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director, or designee, to arrange for payment of a $25 fee to Conservation and Development for processing, a $50 fee to the County Clerk for filing the Notice of Determination, and payment of $2,101.50 for California Department of Fish and Game fees.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This project is funded by 52% Federal HR3 Funds, 29%.Gas Tax, and 19% Prop.1B funds
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of the proposed project is to improve public safety along 1,900 feet of roadway along Marsh Creek Road in Contra Costa County. Marsh Creek Road is a narrow, two-lane rural collector road that is widely used by commuters as an alternate to the heavily congested State Route 4. The road serves as a vital transportation link between Central and East Contra Costa County for passenger vehicles, heavy trucks, and vehicles with trailers.
The project will improve public safety along this 1,900-foot segment of road, which does not meet current County design standards for rural roads with average daily traffic greater than 9,000 vehicles per day. Safety improvements will entail the widening of travel lanes from 10 feet to 12 feet and creating 8 foot shoulders (a combination of shoulder backing and approximately 6 feet of pavement) on each side of the road. These improvements will give motorists additional area to maneuver, recover from improper turning movements and see around curves, thereby helping to reduce collision rates and collision severity along the road segment. The project also involves the removal of approximately 23 trees along the roadway.
Another purpose of the proposed project is to complete a half-mile segment of the countywide bikeway network described in the 2003 Contra Costa Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. The planned widening would significantly increase the room available for bicycles and cars to share the roadway, thus improving the Class III bike route along Marsh Creek Road.
Real property transactions and utility relocation may be necessary in support of this project.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Delay in approving the project will result in a delay of design and construction and may jeopardize funding.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
Not applicable