REPORT TO FRESNO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS STEVE BRANDT, QUAD KNOPF ASSISTANT PROJECT MANAGER THROUGH: LAUREN DAWSON, FRESNO COG PROJECT MANAGER

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1 REPORT TO FRESNO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS DATE: APRIL 2012 TO: FROM: FRESNO COG POLICY BOARD STEVE BRANDT, QUAD KNOPF ASSISTANT PROJECT MANAGER THROUGH: LAUREN DAWSON, FRESNO COG PROJECT MANAGER SUBJECT: GOLDEN STATE CORRIDOR-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS: PLANNING ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY In October 2009 Fresno COG began the process of preparing plans for the revitalization of the Golden State Corridor. This work was to be the second of several steps in the process that began in 2003 with the visioning document prepared by Fresno COG and Chabin Concepts entitled Community Vision for the Golden State Corridor. This second step was funded by Measure C allocations. The project consists of the revitalization of the Golden State Corridor to make it an inviting, enjoyable, and dynamic economic engine for the surrounding communities. The project area is Golden State Boulevard (Whitson Street in Selma and Simpson Street in Kingsburg) from just south of American Avenue north of Fowler to Mission Street in Kingsburg. Improvements along the Corridor include infrastructure improvements, pavement rehabilitation, new traffic signals, a continuous bikeway, landscaping, and signage. Fresno COG requested proposals for the work, and the team led by Quad Knopf, with VRPA Technologies, Planning Design Consultants, and Chabin Associates (writers of the 2003 Visioning Plan) was selected in March The project deliverables are intended to bring the design to a 30% completion level and provide the environmental review documentation. Specifically, the project consists of: Design Guidelines Manual Topographic Survey of the 14.2-mile long Corridor 30% Construction Plans for the length of the Corridor and its intersections Utility/Railroad/CPUC Report Water Conservation Study

2 Existing Pavement Assessment Study Engineer s Cost Estimate Grant Opportunities Report CEQA Document (Mitigated Negative Declaration) CEQA Technical Studies NEPA Technical Studies These deliverables are now complete and have been delivered to Fresno COG. In addition, the CEQA process has been completed, with the exception of adoption by the COG Policy Board. Together, they represent significant progress in the goal of revitalizing this important regional transportation asset. Throughout this planning and design process, the three cities, Fowler, Selma, and Kingsburg, along with Fresno County, were heavily involved in providing key information and in determining the design and outcome of the project. A Golden State Advisory Committee was formed consisting of staff members from the four jurisdictions, as well as representatives from Caltrans, FAX, the CPUC, and the Fresno Bicycle Coalition. This group met six times to review, discuss, and determine the details of the project. In addition, Quad Knopf presented a progress report to each City Council mid-way through the process, and held three public meetings, one in each city, to give the general public a say in the project. During the 45-day public review period, copies of the plans and documents were made available to the public for review at the Fresno COG office, Fresno County Public Works and Planning Department, each of the three city halls, the downtown Fresno library, and branch libraries in Fowler, Selma, and Kingsburg. The proposed Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration was completed in accordance with CEQA and is ready to be adopted by the Policy Board. The attached seven sheets provide details of the improvements that are planned, including additional lanes at intersections, location of the bicycle path planned for connecting the three cities, and new signal locations. RECOMMENDATION: Fresno COG staff is requesting that the TTC and the PAC recommend adoption of the CEQA environmental document and acceptance of the project and that the Fresno COG Policy Board adopt the CEQA/MND document and accept the project studies. Attachments: Figure 1- Project Vicinity Figure 2 Project site (five pages) Project Summary Sheets (seven pages) 2

3 PROJECT VICINITY Figure 1 3

4 PROJECT SITE Figure 2a 4

5 PROJECT SITE Figure 2b 5

6 PROJECT SITE Figure 2c 6

7 PROJECT SITE Figure 2d 7

8 PROJECT SITE Figure 2e 8

9 Golden State Corridor North Fowler LOCATION EXISTING CONDITION PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS American Avenue/ 4-way intersection with RR Xing, 2-way stop. Intersection modifications to American Avenue by separate County project. Fowler Sphere of Influence Golden State Corridor project begins approximately 200 feet south of the intersection. Start Class I Bike Path on west side of Golden State Blvd. Start Class II bike lanes in each direction adjacent to curb. Jefferson Avenue 3-way intersection (west), 1-way stop. Private 1-way stop to remain. New NB and SB left and right turn lanes. Bike Path Xing. RR Xing. Lincoln Avenue 3-way intersection with RR Xing, 1-way stop. 1-way stop to remain. New SB U-turn lane. New NB left turn lane. New SB acceleration lane. Clovis Avenue Frontage Rd. 3-way signalized intersection. Signal to remain. Lengthen existing NB and SB left turn lanes. Bike Path Xing. Clovis Avenue overcrossing Grade separated overcrossing over GS Blvd. SB lanes shifted into median to allow room for Class 1 Bike Path under and RR tracks. the overcrossing. Abbreviations: GS = Golden State NB = northbound SB = southbound WB = westbound EB = eastbound RR Xing = railroad crossing

10 Golden State Corridor - Central Fowler ITEM II C LOCATION EXISTING CONDITION PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS Clayton Avenue 4-way intersection with RR Xing, 2-way stop. 2-way stop to remain. New NB right and left turn lanes. New SB right and left turn lanes. Bike Path Xing. Fowler City limits "Welcome to Fowler" sign (SB). Bonita Avenue 3-way intersection (west) to access 8 th Street, 1-way stop to remain. New NB left turn lane and SB right turn lane. Bike Path Xing. 1-way stop. Abandon portion of 8 th Street between Bonita Avenue and Adams Avenue. Adams Avenue 4-way signalized intersection with RR Xing. Signal to be modified. New SB right turn lane. Access from 8 th Street to Adams Avenue closed. NEW ROAD SHIFT None currently. Transition SB GS Blvd. to 8th Street and NB GS to SB GS Blvd. Class I Bike Path ends with ped/bike Xing at Mariposa Street for access to Class II lanes. Mariposa Street 3-way intersection (east) with RR Xing, 1-way stop. 1-way stop to remain. New WB drive approach for access to future development site. New NB right and left turn lanes. New SB left turn lane. Tuolumne Street 3-way intersection with 8 th Street, 1-way stop. 1-way stop to remain with new access to GS Blvd. New NB and SB No access to GS Blvd. left turn lanes. New EB drive approach for access to future development site. Merced Street 4-way signalized intersection with RR Xing. Focal point of Fowler, transit stop site, signage. Signal to be modified. New EB right turn lane. Main Street 3-way intersection with 8 th Street, 1-way stop. 1-way stop to remain with new access to Golden State Blvd. New NB and SB No access to Golden State Blvd. left turn lanes. New EB drive approach for access to future development site. Fresno Street 3-way intersection with 8 th Street, 1-way stop. 1-way stop to remain with new access to Golden State Blvd. New NB and SB No access to Golden State Blvd. left turn lanes. New EB drive approach for access to future development site. NEW ROAD SHIFT None currently. Transition back to existing alignment between Fresno Street and Tulare Street. Class I Bike Path begins again south of Fresno Street with ped/bike Xing at Fresno Street. Vine Street 4-way intersection with RR Xing, 2-way stop. New traffic signal. New NB and SB right and left turn lanes. New WB left turn lane. Bike Path Xing. Peach Street 3-way intersection (west), 1-way stop 1-way stop to remain with new NB access to Golden State Blvd. New NB and SB No access to NB Golden State Blvd. left turn lanes. New SB acceleration lane. Bike Path Xing. South Avenue 4-way intersection with RR Xing, 2-way stop 2-way stop to remain. New NB right turn lane. New SB left turn lane. New EB right turn lane. "Welcome to Fowler" sign (NB). Bike Path Xing. Temperance Avenue 4-way intersection with RR Xing, 2-way stop. New traffic signal. New NB right turn lane. New SB right turn. Realign EB approach lanes to intersect at 90 degrees. Bike Path Xing. Abbreviations: GS = Golden State NB = northbound SB = southbound WB = westbound EB = eastbound RR Xing = railroad crossing

11 Golden State Corridor - South Fowler ITEM II C LOCATION EXISTING CONDITION PROPOSED ROADWAY GEOMETRIC MODIFICATIONS Parlier Avenue 3-way intersection (west), 1-way stop. 1-way stop to remain. Add median break with NB left turn lane. Bike Path Xing. No median break. East Valley Drive 3-way intersection (west), 1-way stop. 1-way stop to remain. Add SB left turn lane for U-turns. Bike Path Xing. Manning Avenue Signalized intersection with RR Xing. Signal modifications. Add 2 nd NB left turn lane. Add 3 rd WB through lane and WB right turn lane. Bike Path Xing. San Antonio Drive 3-way signalized intersection. Signal and all existing turn lanes remain. Bike Path Xing. Fowler City limits DeWolf Ave./ 4-way intersection with RR Xing, 2-way stop. New traffic signal. New NB and SB left turn lanes. New NB right turn lane. Springfield Ave./ Bike Path Xing. Fowler and Selma Sphere of Influence Selma City limits SB lanes only are inside city limits. Pull-off location Chicago Canal (circa 1885). Add pull-off location on west side with historical marker. Incorporate bike rest stop. Abbreviations: GS = Golden State NB = northbound SB = southbound WB = westbound EB = eastbound RR Xing = railroad crossing

12 Golden State Corridor North Selma LOCATION EXISTING CONDITION PROPOSED ROADWAY GEOMETRIC MODIFICATIONS Dinuba Avenue 4-way intersection with RR Xing, 2-way stop. New traffic signal. New NB right turn lane. New SB right turn lane. "Welcome to Selma" sign (SB). Bike Path Xing. Selma City limits NB lanes now also inside city limits. Highland Avenue 4-way signalized intersection. Signal modifications. New WB left turn lane. Bike Path Xing. EXISTING ROAD Existing shift to Whitson Street. Realign W. Front Street into a T intersection (1-way stop) with Whitson SHIFT Street. Class 1 Bike Path crosses to east side of Whitson Street and then merges into new Class II bike lanes on W. Front Street. Class II bike lanes end on GS Blvd. (Whitson Street) at new W. Front Street intersection. Floral Avenue 4-way signalized intersection. Directional signage, terminated vista 1,000 ft north, looking NB. New EB right turn lane (Floral Ave) Gaither Street 3-way intersection (west), 1-way stop. 1-way stop to remain. Stillman Street 4-way intersection (west), 1-way stop. No changes with this project. City of Selma plans to close Stillman between Stillman Street between Whitson and Thompson Whitson Street and Thompson Avenue via a separate project. is one-way east only. Thompson Avenue 4-way signalized intersection. Signal to remain. New NB left turn lane. New SB left turn lane. Branch Street 4-way intersection, 2-way stop. 2-way stop to remain. New NB left turn lane. New SB left turn lane. Abbreviations: GS = Golden State NB = northbound SB = southbound WB = westbound EB = eastbound RR Xing = railroad crossing

13 Golden State Corridor South Selma ITEM II C LOCATION EXISTING CONDITION PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS Sherman Street 3-way intersection (west), 1-way stop. 1-way stop to remain. North Street 4-way intersection, 2-way stop. 2-way stop to remain. New NB left turn lane. New SB left turn lane. First Street 4-way intersection, 2-way stop. 2-way stop to remain. Second Street 4-way signalized intersection. Singal to remain. Focal point of Selma, transit stop site, directional signage. Third Street 4-way intersection, 2-way stop. No changes to Third Street/Whitson Street intersection. New intersection modifications at Third/Front/McCall intersection for bike lanes and better turning movements. McCall Avenue 4-way intersection, 4-way stop. No changes. EXISTING ROAD Existing shift from Whitson Street to GS Blvd. SHIFT Todd Street 3-way intersection (west), 1-way stop Realign W. Front Street into a 4-way intersection with Todd Street with 2-way stop. End W. Front Street Class II bike lanes. New bike lane Xings. Begin Class II bike lanes on GS Blvd. south of Todd Street. Begin Class I Bike Path on west side of GS Blvd. south of Todd Street. Nebraska Ave/ 4-way intersection with RR Xing, 2-way stop 2-way stop to remain. New NB right and left turn lanes. New SB left turn lane. Bike Park Street Path Xing. Dockery Avenue 3-way intersection (west), 1-way stop 1-way stop to remain. New NB left turn lane. New SB left turn lane. Bike Path Xing. Saginaw Avenue/ 3-way intersection (east) with RR Xing, 1-way stop. 1-way stop to remain. New NB right turn lane. New SB left turn lane. Selma City limits "Welcome to Selma" sign (NB). Bike Path Xing. Van Horn Avenue 3-way intersection (west), 1-way stop. 1-way stop to remain. New NB left turn lane. Bike Path Xing. Mountain View Ave./ 4-way signalized intersection with RR Xing. Modify RR crossing. New NB right turn lane. Bike Path connects to existing Class Selma and Kingsburg I Bike Path south of Mt. View Avenue.* Sphere of Influence * The City of Kingsburg is on schedule to complete a Class 1 bike path on west side of GS Blvd from Kingsburg to Mountain View Ave. ahead of GS project. Abbreviations: GS = Golden State NB = northbound SB = southbound WB = westbound EB = eastbound RR Xing = railroad crossing

14 Golden State Corridor North Kingsburg ITEM II C LOCATION EXISTING CONDITION PROPOSED ROADWAY GEOMETRIC MODIFICATIONS Amber Avenue 3-way intersection (west), 1-way stop. 1-way stop to remain. Close median, eliminating NB left turns onto Amber Avenue. "Welcome to Kingsburg" sign (SB). Kingsburg City limits Kamm Avenue/ 4-way intersection with RR Xing, 4-way stop. New traffic signal. New NB right and left turn lanes. New SB left turn lanes. Bethel Avenue Revise intersection grades to reduce vertical differences. Design to accommodate future overcrossing over GS Blvd. and RR tracks. Consider widening RR Xing at 100% plan stage. Bike Path Xing by others.* * The City of Kingsburg is on schedule to complete a Class 1 bike path on west side of GS Blvd from Kingsburg to Mountain View Ave. ahead of GS project. Abbreviations: GS = Golden State NB = northbound SB = southbound WB = westbound EB = eastbound RR Xing = railroad crossing

15 Golden State Corridor South Kingsburg ITEM II C LOCATION EXISTING CONDITION PROPOSED ROADWAY GEOMETRIC MODIFICATIONS Stroud Avenue 4-way intersection with RR Xing, 2-way stop. Realign intersection with new RR Xing to connect to new industrial driveway on Bike Path Xing. west side of GS. 2-way stop to remain. New NB right and left turn lanes. Existing EB Stroud Avenue to become a 3-way intersection with 1-way stop. Between Stroud Narrow right of way. No median island. Add curb and gutter on west side of GS Blvd. with defined drive approaches. Avenue and Sierra Transition from 4-lane to 2-lane, with continuous Modify parking lots and buildings that encroach into GS Blvd. right of way. Avenue left turn lane. Existing Class I Bike Path ends. Continue shared use bike/pedestrian path on west side of GS Blvd. to Sierra Street. Sierra Street/ 4-way signalized intersection with RR Xing. Signal to remain. End shared bike/pedestrian path. State Hwy 201 Median island begins south of intersection. Ellis Street 3-way intersection (west), 1-way stop. 1-way stop to remain. Draper Street 4-way signalized intersection with RR Xing. Signal to remain. New NB right turn lane. Focal point of Kingsburg. Transit stop site, possibly at train station. Class II bike lanes end. Class III bike routes begin south of intersection. Lewis Street 3-way intersection (west), 1-way stop. 1-way stop to remain. New NB left turn lane. Earl Street 4-way signalized intersection with RR Xing. Signal to remain. New NB left turn lane. New SB left turn lane. Mission Street 3-way intersection (west), 1-way stop. 1-way stop to remain. No changes. Class III bike route ends. End of Golden State Corridor improvements. Abbreviations: GS = Golden State NB = northbound SB = southbound WB = westbound EB = eastbound RR Xing = railroad crossing

16 BEFORE THE FRESNO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS RESOLUTION NO In the Matter of: ) RESOLUTION ADOPTION OF THE MITIGATED ) NEGATIVE DECLARATION (SCH# ) AND GOLDEN STATE CORRIDOR - ECONOMIC ) ACCEPTANCE OF THE GOLDEN STATE CORRIDOR - DEVELOPMENT INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS: ) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING ENGINEERING AND ) IMPROVEMENTS: PLANNING, ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY ) AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY ) WHEREAS, the Fresno Council of Governments (Fresno COG) has previously authorized the preparation of the Golden State Corridor-Economic Development Infrastructure Improvements: Planning Engineering and Environmental Study; and WHEREAS, documents have been prepared consisting of a Topographic Survey, 30% Design Plans, a Design Guidelines Manual, a Utility/Railroad CPUC Report, an Engineer s Cost Estimate, a Water Conservation Study, an Existing Pavement Assessment Report, a Grant Opportunities Report, and an Initial Study/Negative Declaration with background technical studies; and WHEREAS, the cities of Fowler, Selma, and Kingsburg, and the County of Fresno participated heavily in the design of these project deliverables; and WHEREAS, public meetings were held in each of the three cities in June and July of 2011 to gather public input on the project; and WHEREAS, a Initial Study/Negative Declaration was prepared and circulated for a 45-day public review in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act. WHEREAS, Fresno COG has independently reviewed the contents of the Mitigated Negative Declaration and agrees with the findings therein; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Fresno COG, acting at Lead Agency, adopts the Initial Study Mitigated Negative Declaration, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Fresno COG, acting at Lead Agency, adopts Mitigation and Monitoring Program (Section 5 of the Final Mitigated Negative Declaration), in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Fresno COG accepts the Golden State Corridor-Economic Development Infrastructure Improvements: Planning Engineering and Environmental Study project as complete. THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION was passed and adopted by the Fresno Council of Governments this 26th day of April, AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: ATTEST: Signed: Amarpreet Dhaliwal, Chair I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of a resolution of the Fresno Council of Governments duly adopted at a regular meeting thereof held on the 26th day of April, Signed: Tony Boren, Executive Director