Overview

In the spring of 2010, Metro began preparing the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIS/EIR) for the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project. This study evaluates the two build alternatives, State Route 60 Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Washington Bl LRT, along with the required No Build and Transportation System Management (TSM) alternatives.

The goal of the proposed study is to improve mobility in the corridor by connecting to communities farther east of Los Angeles. Communities in the project area include Commerce, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pico Rivera, Rosemead, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, Whittier and the unincorporated portions of Los Angeles County.

Alternatives

The SR-60 and Washington Bl proposed alternatives use the same light rail technology (LRT) as the Gold Line Eastside Extension Phase 1, allowing a seamless extension to cities east of the existing Pomona and Atlantic terminus. The following is a detailed description of the two alternatives under consideration:

SR-60 LRT

This proposed alignment generally follows the southern edge of the SR-60 Freeway within the freeway right-of-way, on an elevated track crossing over freeway ramps, and terminates at Peck Rd in the City of South El Monte. The proposed station locations include:

• Garfield Avenue Station
• The Shops at Montebello
• Santa Anita Avenue Station
• Peck Road Station

Washington Bl LRT

This proposed alignment follows the SR-60 Freeway to Garfield Av, and then travels south to Washington Bl. From there, the alignment continues east and terminates at Lambert Rd in the City of Whittier. This alternative includes both at-grade and elevated sections of track. The proposed station locations include:

• Garfield Avenue Station
• Whittier Boulevard Station
• Greenwood Avenue Station
• Rosemead Boulevard Station
• Norwalk Avenue Station
• Lambert Road Station

FAQ

1. What is Metro Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2?
2. What is an environmental study?
3. How will the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 be funded?
4. What is LRT?
5. What alignments are under consideration?
6. Why can’t we have a project that goes along SR-60 and also connects with cities like Pico Rivera and Whittier?
7. Where will the stations be located?
8. What factors determine whether a rail project is built at street level or elevated?
9. What are the air quality impacts of LRT?
10. What are the noise and vibration impacts of LRT?
11. How will pedestrian safety be addressed?
12. When will this project be constructed?
13. How do my comments get incorporated into the study?
14. How can I stay involved throughout the entire process?
15. From the two remaining alternatives, which is the most feasible?

1. What is Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2?

The Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 is a transit study looking to connect with and extend the recently opened Gold Line Eastside Extension light rail line which runs from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles to Pomona and Atlantic boulevards in East Los Angeles to communities farther east. The project goals include improving mobility in the study area, and planning for future growth in a sustainable manner. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is leading this study effort in conjuction with the Federal Transit Administration.

2. What is an environmental study?

Federal and state laws require an evaluation of project impacts and identification of mitigation measures. To be eligible to receive both federal and state funds, projects need to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Therefore, the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 project will complete both a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIS/EIR). The public is encouraged to participate in the environmental process and will be notified of public meetings.

3. How will the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 be funded?

In 2007, Los Angeles County voters approved Measure R, a half-cent sales tax measure that will generate an estimated $40 billion dollars over 30 years, including $1.27 billion for the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 project. Current projections show funding for the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 project will be available after 2022. Metro is also exploring other federal and state funding sources that may help to complete the funding and/or expedite the implementation of the project. In addition, Metro is working with cities to define what local contributions may be needed to comply with the sales-tax measure.

4. What is LRT?

Light Rail Transit (LRT) is electric-powered trains that are designed to be integrated into the communities they serve. They generally are the size of articulated buses and up to three cars in length. They function best as a local service with frequent station stops approximately a mile apart. LRT is not the same as Metrolink or Amtrak trains, which are larger and faster diesel powered trains designed for longer distance commuting trips.

5. What alignments are under consideration?

At the beginning of the Alternatives Analysis, 47 alternatives were identified and screened using federally approved evaluation criteria. In 2009, the Metro Board approved the Alternatives Analysis Study (AA) and authorized two light rail alternatives to move forward into the environmental phase including SR-60 LRT and Washington Boulevard LRT. Both of these alternatives received a significant amount of community support as well as city council resolutions/letters of support.

6. Why can’t we have a project that goes along SR-60 and also connects with cities like Pico Rivera and Whittier?

During the Alternatives Analysis (AA) phase of the study, Metro examined 47 alternatives, which included two alternatives that would connect northern cities with southeast cities within the study area. However, these two alternatives had slower travel times, lower ridership, and were not as cost-effective compared to the other alternatives that performed better. Therefore, those two alternatives were dropped from further consideration.

7. Where will the stations be located?

Proposed station locations for both SR-60 and Washington Boulevard alternatives have been identified, including:

SR – 60 LRT

• Garfield Avenue
• The Shops at Montebello
• Santa Anita Avenue
• Peck Road

Washington Boulevard LRT

• Garfield Avenue
• Whittier Boulevard
• Greenwood Avenue
• Rosemead Boulevard
• Norwalk Avenue
• Lambert Road

Through the environmental phase of the project, station planning will intensify and station area refinements will occur if needed based on city and community input.

8. What factors determine whether a rail project is built at street level or elevated?

Metro considers a wide variety of inputs to determine how a rail project is configured. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Available right of way
• Land use impacts
• Environmental impacts
• Cost
• Travel time
• Ridership
• Safety
• Community and city input

9. What are the air quality impacts of LRT?

Because LRT is electric powered, the trains do not emit any green house gases or pollution. In addition, train ridership helps to take cars off the road which further reduces emissions. The only air quality impact associated with LRT is the generation of the electric power itself, which is part of the environmental evaluation.

10. What are the noise and vibration impacts of LRT?

Because LRT is electric powered, the trains are very quiet. In addition, the size and speed of the trains is designed with community integration in mind including the use of special features like vibration dampening fasteners to secure the rail tracks which helps minimize noise and vibration around communities.

11. How will pedestrian safety be addressed?

All light rail transit in Los Angeles County is designed using federal and state safety standards. These include stringent siesmic codes, Americans with Disabilities Act standards, pedestrian design guidelines, parking codes and a host of other safety considerations. Station area platforms will be well lit and have security cameras installed as well as Metro security personnel assigned to ride the system and patrol the station areas for additional safety. All parking and related station area amenities will also be well signed and lit for easy access. In general, LRT is used throughout the world and has proven to be a safe and reliable form of transportation for millions of riders and hundreds of communities.

12. When will this project be constructed?

In short, the project will be constructed when the project studies and engineering are completed and the funding is available. Current Metro funding scenarios show that the local Measure R money could be available starting in 2022. Metro is also exploring the potential of state and federal money that may be used to accelerate the project implementation schedule.

13. How do my comments get incorporated into the study?

All comments received throughout the study are documented and presented to Metro staff and technical consultants for consideration. In addition, public comments received during the formal scoping and public hearing phases of the environmental study are presented in the appendix of the Draft EIS/EIR documents and responded to in the Final EIS/EIR.

14. How can I stay involved throughout the entire process?

The easiest way to stay involved in the study process then to become part of the project database. If you have signed-in at a previous meeting you are automatically included; however, if you would like to be added, then you can simply call the project helpline at 213.922.3012. Over the course of the study, meeting notifications and other project materials will be mailed to the project database to keep interested persons informed of the study developments. In addition, you can also access project information via the web at www.metro.net/eastsidephase2 or become a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/metroeastsidehphase2.

15. From the two remaining alternatives, which is the most feasible?

There were originally 47 alternatives that were identied at the beginning of the Alternatives Analsyis Study and eventually narrowed down to two. Each of the proposed alternatives were screened across federally approved criteria to determine their feasibility. Therefore, each of the two remaining alternatives are considered by the Metro to be feasible. In the environmental phase, evaluation of impacts will be done to further consider the viability of each alternative, taking into consideration the cost, environmental impacts, and community input.

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