Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Interstate 405 ExpressLanes Project, in Los Angeles County, California, 50205-50207 [2021-19314]
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sradovich on DSKJLST7X2PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 170 / Tuesday, September 7, 2021 / Notices
a formal complaint acceptable under
§ 13.5. Most of this time would be the
research required to determine which
laws the subject of the complaint
allegedly violated. The second largest
amount of time would be devoted to
writing the ‘‘concise but complete’’
statement of facts substantiating the
complaint. After the FAA reviews the
complaint and confirms it meets the
requirements, each subject of the
complaint would have an opportunity to
submit a written answer. The FAA
estimates it would take the subject of
the complaint about four hours to write
an answer to the complaint.
The estimated average burden on the
FAA for each complaint is eight hours,
broken down as follows: A complaint
would take the FAA no more than four
hours to review to confirm it meets the
requirements as laid out in 14 CFR
13.5(b). The FAA would take an
additional hour to send the complaint to
the subjects of that complaint. The FAA
would then take another estimated three
hours to determine if an investigation
would be necessary.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 1 The
FAA estimates the total annual
combined (public + FAA) annual
burden and cost of the information
requirements to be about 112 hours and
$7,138.
For the public, the estimated total
annual hourly burden would be 56
hours, and the estimated total annual
cost burden would be about $2,036.
This burden to the public is calculated
as follows: Based on the number of
formal complaints the FAA received
during the three years preceding
preparation of the NPRM, the FAA
estimates there would be seven
complaints filed per year by seven
complainants. Each complaint would
take no more than four hours to
complete. The annual hourly burden
would be 28 hours for the public to
submit formal complaints (7 complaints
× 4 hours = 28 hours). After the FAA
reviews the complaint and confirms it
meets the requirements, each subject of
the complaint would have an
opportunity to submit a written answer.
The FAA estimates this would take the
subject four hours. The annual hourly
burden to the public would be another
28 hours for the subject of the complaint
to provide a written answer (7 written
answers × 4 hours = 28 hours).2 The
1 For this notice and the Federal Register notice
with the 60-day comment period, the FAA used
updated figures in its estimate from those used in
the NPRM.
2 This assumes each formal complaint would
meet the requirements as laid out in 14 CFR 13.5(b),
so the FAA could send a copy of the complaint to
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Jkt 253001
total annual hourly burden to the public
would be 56 hours. Since a complainant
and a subject of a complaint could be
employed in any occupation, the FAA
selected a mean hourly wage rate for all
occupations in the United States. The
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates
the mean hourly wage rate of all
occupations was $24.98 in May 2018.3
The FAA estimates the total burdened
hourly wage rate is $36.36 when
including full employee benefits.4 The
total annual cost burden to the public
would be about $2,036 ($36.36 × 56
hours). In addition to labor hours, the
complainants would incur copying and
mailing costs for seven annual
complaints estimated at $102.90; or
$52.15 for complainants [($.50 for a 5page complaint, including attachments,
at $.10 per page 5 + $6.95 first-class
certified mail with return receipt 6) × 7]
and $50.75 for subjects of complaints
[($.30 for a 3-page response, including
attachments, at $.10 per page + $6.95
first-class certified mail with return
receipt) × 7].
For the FAA, the estimated total
annual hourly burden would be 56
hours, and the estimated total annual
cost burden would be about $4,846.
This burden to the FAA is calculated as
follows: The complaint would take the
FAA no more than four hours to review
to confirm it meets the requirements as
laid out in 14 CFR 13.5(b), which results
in an annual time burden of 28 hours (7
complaints × 4 hours = 28 hours). The
FAA would take an additional hour to
send the complaint to the subjects of
that complaint, which would add seven
hours (7 complaints × 1 hour = 7 hours).
The FAA would then take another
estimated three hours to determine if an
investigation would be necessary,
adding 21 hours (7 complaints × 3 hours
= 21 hours) to the FAA annual burden.
This results in a total annual burden of
56 hours (28 hours + 7 hours + 21 hours
= 56 hours) for the FAA. The FAA
the subject of each complaint to give them an
opportunity to submit a written answer.
3 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May
2018 National Occupational Employment and Wage
Estimates, see Occupational Code #00–0000, All
Occupations (https://www.bls.gov/oes/2018/may/
oes_nat.htm).
4 Derived from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,
Employer Costs for Employee Compensation–
September 2019 (https://www.bls.gov/news.release/
archives/ecec_09172019.pdf, September 17, 2019
release), which indicates that wages and salaries
were 68.6% of total employee compensation (salary
and benefits) providing a fringe benefit factor of
about 1.4577 (=1 ÷ 0.686). The FAA uses this factor
to estimate the total ‘‘burdened’’ employee
compensation (salary and benefits) hourly wage rate
of $36.36 (=$24.98 × 1.4557).
5 https://www.gpo.gov/docs/default-source/
gpoexpress-pdf-files/gpo_express_pricelist.pdf.
6 https://www.usps.com/ship/insurance-extraservices.htm.
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50205
assumes an FAA hourly wage rate of
$63.51.7 The FAA estimates the total
burdened FAA hourly wage rate to be
$86.54 when including full civilian
employee benefits.8 The total annual
cost burden to the FAA to review and
process the complaint would be $4,846
($86.54 × 56 = $4,846). In addition to
labor hours, the FAA would incur
copying and mailing costs for seven
annual complaints estimated at $152.95;
or $52.85 for mailing complaints to
subjects [($.60 for a 5-page complaint
with a 1-page cover letter at $.10 per
page + $6.95 first-class certified mail
with return receipt) × 7] and $100.10 for
mailing the agency’s determination to
both complainants and subjects of
complaints [2 × ($.20 for a 2-page
determination letter at $.10 per page +
$6.95 first-class certified mail with
return receipt) × 7].
Issued in Washington, DC, on September 1,
2021.
Cynthia A Dominik,
Assistant Chief Counsel for Enforcement
Division.
[FR Doc. 2021–19271 Filed 9–3–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Interstate 405 ExpressLanes
Project, in Los Angeles County,
California
Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
AGENCY:
Notice of intent (NOI) to prepare
a draft environmental impact statement
for the Interstate 405 (I–405)
ExpressLanes project.
ACTION:
The FHWA, on behalf of the
California Department of Transportation
(Caltrans), is issuing this notice to
advise the public that a Draft EIS will
be prepared for the I–405 ExpressLanes
SUMMARY:
7 The FAA assumes that 75% of the work would
be performed by an FAA attorney at a grade level
14 step five hourly wage of $60.83 and 25% by an
FAA attorney at a grade level 15 step five hourly
wage of $71.56 (wages based on U.S. Office of
Personnel Management General Schedule Salary
Data).
8 The FAA uses a civilian fringe benefit cost
factor of 36.25% (or 1.3625) to estimate the total
‘‘burdened’’ FAA employee compensation (salary
and benefits) hourly wage rate of $86.54 (=$63.51
× 1.3625). The civilian fringe benefit cost factor is
based on guidance from the U.S. Office of
Management and Budget (https://
www.whitehouse.gov/sites/whitehouse.gov/files/
omb/memoranda/2008/m08-13.pdf).
07SEN1
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50206
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 170 / Tuesday, September 7, 2021 / Notices
project, a proposed highway project in
Los Angeles County, California.
DATES: The formal scoping period has
been extended and will occur from
August 3 through October 1, 2021. The
deadline for comments is 5:00 p.m. on
October 1, 2021. Three virtual public
scoping meetings have been held on:
• Saturday, August 14, 2021; 10 a.m.–12
p.m.
• Tuesday, August 17, 2021; 6–8 p.m.
• Wednesday, August 18, 2021; 11:30
a.m.–1:30 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The virtual meeting link
was made available on the project
website at www.metro.net/
405expresslanes. A recording of one of
the public scoping meetings, in English
and in Spanish, is available for viewing
via the interactive StoryMap on the
project website.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
Caltrans, contact Ronald Kosinski,
Deputy District Director, Division of
Environmental Planning, Caltrans
District 7, 100 S Main Street, MS 16A,
Los Angeles, CA, 90012, (213) 507–
4301, or email ron.kosinski@dot.ca.gov.
For FHWA, contact David Tedrick,
telephone (916) 498–5024, or email
David.tedrick@dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Effective
July 1, 2007, FHWA assigned, and
Caltrans assumed, environmental
responsibilities for this project pursuant
to 23 U.S.C. 327. Caltrans, as the
assigned National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) agency, will prepare a Draft
EIS on a proposal for a highway
improvement project in Los Angeles
County, California.
The Project proposes to improve
traffic conditions on Interstate 405 (I–
405) starting in the south at Interstate 10
(I–10) and terminating in the north at
U.S. Highway 101 (US–101). The
proposed Project will reduce
congestion, encourage carpooling and
transit, improve trip reliability, reduce
degradation of the carpool and generalpurpose lanes, increase person
throughput, and apply technology to
help manage traffic. The range of
improvements may include, but not be
limited to, converting existing HOV
lanes to ExpressLanes or adding an
additional Express Lane in each
direction and converting existing HOV
lanes to ExpressLanes.
Currently, the following alternatives
are being considered, all approximately
10 miles in length:
• Alternative 1: The No-Build/No
Action Alternative does not include
improvements to the existing lanes
along I–405 between I–10 and US–101.
• Alternative 2: Convert Existing
HOV to One ExpressLane (Standard
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00:30 Sep 04, 2021
Jkt 253001
Lane and Shoulder Widths). This build
alternative would convert the existing
HOV lane in each direction, along I–405
between I–10 and US–101, to an
ExpressLane. The northbound and
southbound directions of the freeway
would be restriped within the existing
footprint to accommodate one 12-foot
wide ExpressLane with a 4-foot wide
buffer separating the ExpressLane from
the 12-foot wide general-purpose lanes.
Dynamic pricing would be deployed in
the ExpressLane to ensure trip
reliability and traffic flow. Installation
of toll and communication
infrastructure and modification/
installation of overhead signs would be
required. Alternative 2 proposes to
widen the freeway, where necessary, to
accommodate an additional weave lane
at ExpressLane ingress/egress locations
and maintain stopping sight distance at
curves. Non-standard inside shoulders
would be maintained in a few locations
where constraints exist, and standard
10-foot outside shoulders would be
provided where possible. Retaining
walls would be provided where
required to minimize and avoid right-ofway (ROW) acquisition. Other
improvements include construction of
retaining walls and sound walls, utility
improvements, and drainage
improvements.
• Alternative 3: Convert Existing
HOV Lane to Two ExpressLanes (NonStandard Lane and Shoulder Widths).
This build alternative would convert the
existing HOV lane to an ExpressLane
and add a second ExpressLane in each
direction between I–10 and US–101.
The freeway would be widened and
restriped to accommodate the two
ExpressLanes with a buffer separating
the ExpressLanes from the generalpurpose lanes. Dynamic pricing would
be deployed in the ExpressLanes to
ensure trip reliability and traffic flow.
Installation of toll and communication
infrastructure and modification/
installation of overhead signs would be
required. Alternative 3 proposes to
widen the freeway to the outside in
order to accommodate the proposed
two-lane ExpressLane facility as
described. Non-standard lanes and
shoulders would be provided to
accommodate for the addition of the
new ExpressLanes as part of Alternative
3. Retaining walls would be provided
where required to minimize and avoid
ROW acquisition. The reduction of
shoulder and lane widths allows for
accommodation of the proposed twolane ExpressLane facility without
significant proposed roadway widening.
However, in locations with the
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following conditions, additional
roadway widening may be required:
• 12-foot wide weaving lane at
ExpressLane ingress/egress locations.
• Widening of inside/outside
shoulders to maintain sight distance.
Other improvements include
construction of retaining walls and
sound walls, utility improvements, and
drainage improvements.
• Alternative 4: Convert Existing
HOV Lane to Two ExpressLanes
(Standard Lanes and Shoulder Widths).
This build alternative would convert the
existing HOV lane, between I–10 and
US–101, to an ExpressLane in each
direction, and a second ExpressLane in
each direction would also be added,
while providing standard lane widths,
shoulder widths and stopping sight
distances. The freeway would be
widened and restriped to accommodate
the two ExpressLanes with a buffer
separating the ExpressLanes from the
general-purpose lanes. Dynamic pricing
would be deployed in the ExpressLanes
to ensure trip reliability and traffic flow.
Installation of toll and communication
infrastructure and modification/
installation of overhead signs would be
required. Alternative 4 proposes to
widen the freeway to the outside in
order to accommodate the proposed
standard two-lane ExpressLane facility
as described. Retaining walls would be
provided where required to minimize
and avoid ROW acquisition.
Reconstruction of some existing freeway
structures would be required to
implement Alternative 4’s standard
roadway cross-section. Other
improvements include construction of
retaining walls and sound walls, utility
improvements, and drainage
improvements.
• Alternative 5: Add an Additional
HOV Lane (Non-standard Lane and
Shoulder Widths). This build alternative
would add an additional HOV lane,
between I–10 and US–101, in each
direction. The freeway would be
widened and restriped to accommodate
the two HOV lanes with a buffer
separating the HOV lanes from the
general-purpose lanes. Alternative 5
proposes to widen the freeway to the
outside in order to accommodate the
proposed two-lane HOV facility as
described. Non-standard lanes and
shoulders would be provided in order to
accommodate for the addition of the
new HOV lane as part of Alternative 5.
Retaining walls would be provided
where required to minimize and avoid
ROW acquisition. The reduction of
shoulder and lane widths allows for
accommodation of the proposed twolane HOV facility without significant
proposed roadway widening. However,
07SEN1
sradovich on DSKJLST7X2PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 170 / Tuesday, September 7, 2021 / Notices
in locations with the following
conditions, additional roadway
widening may be required:
• 12-foot wide weaving lane at HOV
ingress/egress locations.
• Widening of inside/outside
shoulder to maintain sight distance.
Other improvements include
construction of retaining walls and
sound walls, utility improvements, and
drainage improvements.
Anticipated Federal and State
approvals include permits under the
National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES), Clean
Water Act (CWA) Section 401 Water
Quality, CWA Section 404 Nationwide
Permit from the United States Army
Corps of Engineers (USACE), California
Fish and Game Code Section 1602 Lake
or Streambed Alteration Agreement
from the California Department of Fish
and Wildlife (CDFW), Section 7
Consultation with the United States
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for
listed species under the Federal
Endangered Species Act (FESA), and
CDFW 2080.1 Consistency
Determination for listed species under
the California Endangered Species Act
(CESA).
Letters describing the proposed action
and soliciting comments have been sent
to appropriate Federal, State,
Participating Agencies, Tribal
governments and groups, local agencies,
and to private organizations and citizens
who have previously expressed or are
known to have interest in this proposal.
The public scoping process officially
began in August 2021. Virtual public
scoping meetings were held in August
2021. Comments may be submitted
during the public scoping period via
mail, email, the project website
comment form, or the project hotline.
Submit comments by mail to the
following address: Ron Kosinski,
Deputy District Director, Caltrans
District 7, 100 S Main Street, MS 16A,
Los Angeles, CA 90012. Submit
comments by email to 405expresslanes@
metro.net. Submit comments via
comment form on the project website at
www.metro.net/405expresslanes.
Submit oral comments by calling (213)
922–4860 to leave a voice recording. All
comments must be received no later
than October 1, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. In
addition, a public hearing will be held
once the Draft EIS is completed. Public
notice will be given of the time and
place of the meeting and hearing. The
Draft EIS will be available for public
and agency review and comment prior
to the public hearing.
To ensure that the full range of issues
related to this proposed action are
addressed and all significant issues
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00:30 Sep 04, 2021
Jkt 253001
identified, comments, and suggestions
are invited from all interested parties.
Comments or questions concerning this
proposed action and the EIS should be
directed to Caltrans at the address
provided above.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Program Number 20.205, Highway Planning
and Construction. The regulations
implementing Executive Order 12372
regarding intergovernmental consultation on
Federal programs and activities apply to this
program.)
Issued on: September 1, 2021.
Rodney Whitfield,
Director, Financial Services, Federal Highway
Administration, California Division.
[FR Doc. 2021–19314 Filed 9–3–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–RY–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration
[PHMSA–2019–0098]
Lithium Battery Air Safety Advisory
Committee; Notice of Public Meeting
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration
(PHMSA), U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
AGENCY:
This notice announces a
meeting of the Lithium Battery Air
Safety Advisory Committee.
DATES: The meeting will be held on
September 22, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to
5:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Requests to attend the meeting must be
sent by September 8, 2021 to the point
of contact identified in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section. Persons
requesting to speak during the meeting
must submit a written copy of their
remarks to DOT by September 8, 2021.
Requests to submit written materials to
be reviewed during the meeting must be
received no later than September 8,
2021.
SUMMARY:
The meeting will be held
virtually. Details to access the virtual
meeting will be posted on the
Committee website located at: https://
www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/
rulemakings/lithium-battery-safetyadvisory-committee. If the guidelines
concerning the global health emergency
change, PHMSA may hold a hybrid
meeting. Detail on a hybrid meeting will
also be posted on the Committee
website. The E-Gov website is located at
https://www.regulations.gov. Mailed
written comments intended for the
Committee should be sent to Docket
ADDRESSES:
PO 00000
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50207
Management Facility; U.S. Department
of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Room
W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lindsey Constantino or Steven Webb,
PHMSA, U.S. Department of
Transportation. Telephone: (202)–366–
8553. Email: lithiumbatteryFACA@
dot.gov. Any committee related request
should be sent to the person listed in
this section.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Lithium Battery Air Safety
Advisory Committee was created under
the Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA, Pub. L. 92–463), in accordance
with Section 333(d) of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Pub. L.
115–254).
II. Agenda
At the meeting, the agenda will cover
the following topics as specifically
outlined in section 333(d) of Public Law
115–254:
(a) Facilitate communication amongst
manufactures of lithium batteries and
products containing lithium batteries,
air carriers, and the Federal government.
(b) Discuss the effectiveness, and the
economic and social impacts of lithium
battery transportation regulations.
(c) Provide the Secretary with
information regarding new technologies
and transportation safety practices.
(d) Provide a forum to discuss
Departmental activities related to
lithium battery transportation safety.
(e) Advise and recommend activities
to improve the global enforcement of air
transportation of lithium batteries, and
the effectiveness of those regulations.
(f) Provide a forum for feedback on
potential U.S. positions to be taken at
international forums.
(g) Guide activities to increase
awareness of relevant requirements.
(h) Review methods to decrease the
risk posed by undeclared hazardous
materials.
A final agenda will be posted on the
Lithium Battery Air Safety Advisory
Committee website at least one week in
advance of the meeting.
III. Public Participation
The meeting will be open to the
public. DOT is committed to providing
equal access to this meeting for all
participants. If you need alternative
formats or services because of a
disability, such as sign language,
interpretation, or other ancillary aids,
please contact the person listed in the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section no later than September 8, 2021.
07SEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 170 (Tuesday, September 7, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50205-50207]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19314]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact
Statement for the Interstate 405 ExpressLanes Project, in Los Angeles
County, California
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of intent (NOI) to prepare a draft environmental impact
statement for the Interstate 405 (I-405) ExpressLanes project.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FHWA, on behalf of the California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans), is issuing this notice to advise the public
that a Draft EIS will be prepared for the I-405 ExpressLanes
[[Page 50206]]
project, a proposed highway project in Los Angeles County, California.
DATES: The formal scoping period has been extended and will occur from
August 3 through October 1, 2021. The deadline for comments is 5:00
p.m. on October 1, 2021. Three virtual public scoping meetings have
been held on:
Saturday, August 14, 2021; 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Tuesday, August 17, 2021; 6-8 p.m.
Wednesday, August 18, 2021; 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The virtual meeting link was made available on the project
website at www.metro.net/405expresslanes. A recording of one of the
public scoping meetings, in English and in Spanish, is available for
viewing via the interactive StoryMap on the project website.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For Caltrans, contact Ronald Kosinski,
Deputy District Director, Division of Environmental Planning, Caltrans
District 7, 100 S Main Street, MS 16A, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, (213)
507-4301, or email [email protected]. For FHWA, contact David
Tedrick, telephone (916) 498-5024, or email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Effective July 1, 2007, FHWA assigned, and
Caltrans assumed, environmental responsibilities for this project
pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327. Caltrans, as the assigned National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) agency, will prepare a Draft EIS on a
proposal for a highway improvement project in Los Angeles County,
California.
The Project proposes to improve traffic conditions on Interstate
405 (I-405) starting in the south at Interstate 10 (I-10) and
terminating in the north at U.S. Highway 101 (US-101). The proposed
Project will reduce congestion, encourage carpooling and transit,
improve trip reliability, reduce degradation of the carpool and
general-purpose lanes, increase person throughput, and apply technology
to help manage traffic. The range of improvements may include, but not
be limited to, converting existing HOV lanes to ExpressLanes or adding
an additional Express Lane in each direction and converting existing
HOV lanes to ExpressLanes.
Currently, the following alternatives are being considered, all
approximately 10 miles in length:
Alternative 1: The No-Build/No Action Alternative does not
include improvements to the existing lanes along I-405 between I-10 and
US-101.
Alternative 2: Convert Existing HOV to One ExpressLane
(Standard Lane and Shoulder Widths). This build alternative would
convert the existing HOV lane in each direction, along I-405 between I-
10 and US-101, to an ExpressLane. The northbound and southbound
directions of the freeway would be restriped within the existing
footprint to accommodate one 12-foot wide ExpressLane with a 4-foot
wide buffer separating the ExpressLane from the 12-foot wide general-
purpose lanes. Dynamic pricing would be deployed in the ExpressLane to
ensure trip reliability and traffic flow. Installation of toll and
communication infrastructure and modification/installation of overhead
signs would be required. Alternative 2 proposes to widen the freeway,
where necessary, to accommodate an additional weave lane at ExpressLane
ingress/egress locations and maintain stopping sight distance at
curves. Non-standard inside shoulders would be maintained in a few
locations where constraints exist, and standard 10-foot outside
shoulders would be provided where possible. Retaining walls would be
provided where required to minimize and avoid right-of-way (ROW)
acquisition. Other improvements include construction of retaining walls
and sound walls, utility improvements, and drainage improvements.
Alternative 3: Convert Existing HOV Lane to Two
ExpressLanes (Non-Standard Lane and Shoulder Widths). This build
alternative would convert the existing HOV lane to an ExpressLane and
add a second ExpressLane in each direction between I-10 and US-101. The
freeway would be widened and restriped to accommodate the two
ExpressLanes with a buffer separating the ExpressLanes from the
general-purpose lanes. Dynamic pricing would be deployed in the
ExpressLanes to ensure trip reliability and traffic flow. Installation
of toll and communication infrastructure and modification/installation
of overhead signs would be required. Alternative 3 proposes to widen
the freeway to the outside in order to accommodate the proposed two-
lane ExpressLane facility as described. Non-standard lanes and
shoulders would be provided to accommodate for the addition of the new
ExpressLanes as part of Alternative 3. Retaining walls would be
provided where required to minimize and avoid ROW acquisition. The
reduction of shoulder and lane widths allows for accommodation of the
proposed two-lane ExpressLane facility without significant proposed
roadway widening. However, in locations with the following conditions,
additional roadway widening may be required:
12-foot wide weaving lane at ExpressLane ingress/egress
locations.
Widening of inside/outside shoulders to maintain sight
distance.
Other improvements include construction of retaining walls and
sound walls, utility improvements, and drainage improvements.
Alternative 4: Convert Existing HOV Lane to Two
ExpressLanes (Standard Lanes and Shoulder Widths). This build
alternative would convert the existing HOV lane, between I-10 and US-
101, to an ExpressLane in each direction, and a second ExpressLane in
each direction would also be added, while providing standard lane
widths, shoulder widths and stopping sight distances. The freeway would
be widened and restriped to accommodate the two ExpressLanes with a
buffer separating the ExpressLanes from the general-purpose lanes.
Dynamic pricing would be deployed in the ExpressLanes to ensure trip
reliability and traffic flow. Installation of toll and communication
infrastructure and modification/installation of overhead signs would be
required. Alternative 4 proposes to widen the freeway to the outside in
order to accommodate the proposed standard two-lane ExpressLane
facility as described. Retaining walls would be provided where required
to minimize and avoid ROW acquisition. Reconstruction of some existing
freeway structures would be required to implement Alternative 4's
standard roadway cross-section. Other improvements include construction
of retaining walls and sound walls, utility improvements, and drainage
improvements.
Alternative 5: Add an Additional HOV Lane (Non-standard
Lane and Shoulder Widths). This build alternative would add an
additional HOV lane, between I-10 and US-101, in each direction. The
freeway would be widened and restriped to accommodate the two HOV lanes
with a buffer separating the HOV lanes from the general-purpose lanes.
Alternative 5 proposes to widen the freeway to the outside in order to
accommodate the proposed two-lane HOV facility as described. Non-
standard lanes and shoulders would be provided in order to accommodate
for the addition of the new HOV lane as part of Alternative 5.
Retaining walls would be provided where required to minimize and avoid
ROW acquisition. The reduction of shoulder and lane widths allows for
accommodation of the proposed two-lane HOV facility without significant
proposed roadway widening. However,
[[Page 50207]]
in locations with the following conditions, additional roadway widening
may be required:
12-foot wide weaving lane at HOV ingress/egress locations.
Widening of inside/outside shoulder to maintain sight
distance.
Other improvements include construction of retaining walls and
sound walls, utility improvements, and drainage improvements.
Anticipated Federal and State approvals include permits under the
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), Clean Water
Act (CWA) Section 401 Water Quality, CWA Section 404 Nationwide Permit
from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), California Fish
and Game Code Section 1602 Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement from
the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Section 7
Consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
for listed species under the Federal Endangered Species Act (FESA), and
CDFW 2080.1 Consistency Determination for listed species under the
California Endangered Species Act (CESA).
Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments have
been sent to appropriate Federal, State, Participating Agencies, Tribal
governments and groups, local agencies, and to private organizations
and citizens who have previously expressed or are known to have
interest in this proposal. The public scoping process officially began
in August 2021. Virtual public scoping meetings were held in August
2021. Comments may be submitted during the public scoping period via
mail, email, the project website comment form, or the project hotline.
Submit comments by mail to the following address: Ron Kosinski, Deputy
District Director, Caltrans District 7, 100 S Main Street, MS 16A, Los
Angeles, CA 90012. Submit comments by email to
[email protected]. Submit comments via comment form on the
project website at www.metro.net/405expresslanes. Submit oral comments
by calling (213) 922-4860 to leave a voice recording. All comments must
be received no later than October 1, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. In addition, a
public hearing will be held once the Draft EIS is completed. Public
notice will be given of the time and place of the meeting and hearing.
The Draft EIS will be available for public and agency review and
comment prior to the public hearing.
To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed
action are addressed and all significant issues identified, comments,
and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments or
questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS should be
directed to Caltrans at the address provided above.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205,
Highway Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on
Federal programs and activities apply to this program.)
Issued on: September 1, 2021.
Rodney Whitfield,
Director, Financial Services, Federal Highway Administration,
California Division.
[FR Doc. 2021-19314 Filed 9-3-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-RY-P
