In July 2010, Caltrans released a Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Study (EIR/EIS), providing a detailed environmental analysis of the I-5 Express Lanes Project. Last year, Caltrans and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) identified the Express Lanes Only (8+4 with Buffer/Striping) option as the Locally Preferred Alternative for the I-5 Express Lanes Project after extensive public outreach and consideration of input from the community and resource agencies. This option would add two Express Lanes in each direction from La Jolla to Oceanside, separated from the existing general purpose lanes by a painted, striped buffer. This option has the smallest footprint of the build alternatives studied in the project’s Draft Environmental Impact Report, has the least impacts to natural resources, requires the fewest property relocations, and has the lowest construction costs.
When completed, the Express Lanes will serve carpools, vanpools, buses and solo drivers using FasTrak® fee revenue to support transit. The project will ensure a reliable, congestion-free travel option throughout the corridor and provide transportation flexibility to accommodate future demands.
Public Review Process: A Look Ahead
The selection of the Express Lanes Only option facilitated additional technical studies related to how highway bridge lengths will be optimized to improve lagoon health. The results of those studies, in addition to updated information on the restoration and preservation of sensitive coastal habitats, and documentation of the Locally Preferred Alternative, will be provided in a Supplemental Draft Environmental Document (SDED). The public will have 45 days to review and comment on the SDED after it is released in summer 2012. There also will be a public hearing during that time. The public comments received on the SDED, combined with the comments received on the Draft EIR/EIS, will be addressed in the project’s Final EIR/EIS, which is scheduled to be completed in the fall of this year.
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