The Capistrano Insider

San Diego Newspaper: Bring Back Toll Road, Quick!

San Diego Union-Tribune wants the 241 South finished ...

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/dec/27/revive-project-toll-road-foes-misrepresent-virtual/
 
Union-Tribune Editorial
Revive this project / Toll road foes misrepresent virtually every crucial fact
Sunday, December 27, 2009 at midnight

The proponents of a proposed 16-mile extension of an Orange County toll road from the inland city of Rancho Santa Margarita to Interstate 5 in northern San Diego County are still at it. Despite the firm opposition of the California Coastal Commission and the decision last year of the U.S. Commerce Department <http://signonsandiegotopics.daylife.com/topic/Commerce_Department>  not to intervene on grounds of national security in favor of the $1.3 billion project, the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency continues to lobby interest groups and military officials.

This effort may be a huge long shot, but we welcome it. The fact is the project has been undercut by a deeply misleading narrative that misrepresents or gets wrong virtually every crucial detail.

Opponents like to give the impression that the toll road would bisect the state beach at San Onofre. It doesn’t touch the beach at all. It connects to Interstate 5.

Opponents like to say the toll road would be an environmental disaster. They don’t acknowledge that two federal agencies – the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration <http://signonsandiegotopics.daylife.com/topic/National_Oceanic_and_Atmospheric_Administration>  and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service <http://signonsandiegotopics.daylife.com/topic/Fish_and_Wildlife_Service>  – signed off on the project and that the California Department of Fish and Game did as well after the developer agreed to some mitigation measures. Nor do opponents acknowledge that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger <http://signonsandiegotopics.daylife.com/topic/Arnold_Schwarzenegger> , who is on the shortlist of the world’s leading environmentalists, personally inspected the proposed toll-road route and gave it his blessing.

Opponents like to depict the toll road as being solely about relieving congestion in southern Orange County. But each weekday 150,000 vehicles travel back and forth between the two counties. Of course San Diego County motorists would benefit from the project. It’s bizarre to argue otherwise.

Opponents like to say the toll road would spur huge, unwanted development in south inland Orange County. But a building boom is coming to the area no matter what because huge parcels of ranch land are now being actively developed. All approvals are already in place for 14,000 new homes.

But the most annoying and insidious claim of opponents is that they are the noble good guys facing the evil special interests. Instead, what we have is surfers with unsubstantiated fears about alleged impacts on the Trestles surf spot in San Onofre serving as the front group for environmentalists who reflexively oppose construction of any new roads because they want growth to be as painful as possible. The bogus narrative trumpeted by this combination has made the toll-road project a popular proxy issue through which greens can demonstrate their fealty to the environmental movement.

The truth, however, is that the surfers are the special interests. The noble good guys? They’re the drivers who are likely to be stuck in horrible congestion on Interstate 5 from Irvine to Encinitas for decades to come.

Unless, that is, the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency’s long-shot bid to revive its project pays off.

We wish the agency the best of luck. So should any county resident who ever uses Interstate 5.

Updates from Supervisor Pat Bates

These items from Orange County Supervisor Pat Bates have some Capistrano-related points of interest:

Public Protection Working Group

In light of the significant financial challenges the County will face in balancing our 2010-11 Budget, I have called for the formation of a working group consisting of the Sheriff, the District Attorney, the CEO, Supervisor Campbell and myself. This group will be charged with the task of developing a fair and comprehensive approach toward solving the significant budget shortfalls that will be faced next year within our public safety departments. By bringing these decision makers together to one table, it is my hope that we will be able to develop a fiscally responsible strategy to preserve fundamental public safety services for the people of Orange County.


Antonio Parkway Widening Project

The Board approved a Cooperative Agreement with the Orange County Transportation Authority to define the roles and responsibilities relating to the Antonio Parkway Widening Project. This project includes widening Antonio Parkway from four to six lanes south of Ladera Ranch as well as widening the Antonio Parkway Bridge by one lane in each direction.

The project, which is identified on the Orange County Master Plan of Arterial Highways, will complement ongoing improvements to the adjacent Ortega Highway and planned improvements to La Pata Avenue. Together, these projects will result in significant traffic relief for residents of the surrounding neighborhoods of Ladera Ranch and City of San Juan Capistrano as well as improve overall regional mobility for South County motorists.

State Library Grant

The Board accepted a $58,599 grant from the California State Library to provide adult literary services. The County will apply this grant toward our award winning adult literacy program, Read OC, which serves residents at all Orange County Public Libraries. The program currently utilizes 300 volunteer tutors who provide individualized tutoring in basic literacy skills and workplace literacy programs for local businesses.

For more information about the Read OC Program, please click here.

More on Double-Tracking

Sure seems like the ultimate plan is to double track all along the route ... which would be through town.

From thte San Diego Union Tribune:

Federal aid eyed for rail projects

$377 million sought from stimulus fund

By Steve Schmidt

Union-Tribune Staff Writer

2:00 a.m. August 16, 2009

A long-running effort to improve the region's busiest stretch of railway is picking up steam.

The San Diego Association of Governments, the county's long-range planning agency, is seeking $377 million in federal stimulus money to revamp the coastal track between San Clemente and downtown San Diego.

Hoping to spur the economy, federal officials are preparing to give out $8 billion to expand high-speed and intercity rail systems nationwide. SANDAG believes it can make a strong argument for a chunk of it.

Jack Dale, chairman of the agency's transportation panel, said the improvements would bolster rail service and take more cars off Interstate 5.

“I think it would be very competitive,” said Dale, a Santee City Council member.

The money would pay for projects that have been on local wish lists for years, including replacing bridges and laying a second set of tracks in parts of Del Mar, Sorrento Valley and other communities.

Planners also want to use stimulus money to add a train stop at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, which could be used during the San Diego County Fair and horse racing season.

As many as 73 trains travel the rail on weekdays between San Clemente and downtown, including freight cars, Amtrak, Metrolink and the Coaster commuter service.

With major improvements, including double tracking along the entire 60-mile stretch, the railway could handle as many as 119 trains daily, according to SANDAG.

Half the current route has two sets of tracks, the remainder one, limiting train travel when the public is looking for alternative forms of transportation.

Among the projects SANDAG hopes the federal government will pay for:

•A $60 million collision-avoidance system that would allow train officials to track the location of locomotives by satellite. In case of an impending collision, the system would automatically bring the trains to a stop before impact.

Federal rail officials began requiring the monitoring systems last year after a Metrolink crash in Chatsworth killed 25 people.

•A train stop on the western edge of the fairgrounds. The $6 million platform would be used during the fair and other special events. The nearest train stop is a mile away, in Solana Beach.

Train enthusiast Richard Nielsen-Eckfield of Carlsbad said a fairgrounds station is long overdue for the Del Mar area, where traffic tie-ups are common. Plus, he said, it would help reduce pollution and traffic.

•A bridge over the San Dieguito River near the fairgrounds. Officials already plan to reinforce the existing single-track span as part of a river restoration project, but say a new double-track bridge is eventually needed.

Projected cost: $88 million.

•Four railway pedestrian crossings in Encinitas, at a cost of $19 million. A SANDAG official said tunnels will likely be built under the rail for easier passage.

The North County Transit District, which manages the railway and operates the Coaster, stands to benefit from these and other projects on the stimulus wish list.

Agency chief Matt Tucker said the stimulus program represents a new chapter for the federal government, which previously gave out little money to improve intercity rail.

“These are the first real dollars that have been made available to rail across the country,” Tucker said.

Competition for the $8 billion pot of rail money is expected to be fierce. California officials hope to snag part of it to help fund a planned high-speed rail system, while other states want to jump-start similar projects.

Some train advocates dismiss the California bullet train project, saying stimulus money should be spent to improve established, high-traffic rail lines.

Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner train, which includes stops in San Diego and along the North County coast, is the second-busiest Amtrak route in the nation.

James Mills, the former state senator widely known as the father of the San Diego Trolley, noted that Interstate 5 along the coast often resembles a parking lot.

“It's stop-and-go traffic virtually all the way,” Mills said. The solution, he added, is to improve rail service, allowing more passenger trains to move through the area.

The SANDAG board of directors, made up of elected officials from across the county, backed the stimulus project list at a recent meeting.

The Federal Railroad Administration might respond to their funding request as early as next month. The agency expects to receive hundreds of requests nationwide.

If SANDAG gets the green light, construction on the rail projects could start within a year.

Union-Tribune

Transportation Agency Taps 35-year Veteran

From Orange County Transportation Authority

ORANGE – Will Kempton, head of the California Department of Transportation for the past five years, was hired today to become the new chief executive officer of the Orange County Transportation Authority.

Kempton, who is expected to begin Aug. 3, brings to OCTA a broad understanding of transportation programs and policies that span the ranks of government from the local to the federal level. His expertise will ensure Orange County remains a leader in providing transportation solutions for the residents of Orange County.

“This is a very challenging time for every public agency in California. Finding a new CEO for OCTA with Will Kempton’s transportation knowledge and experience at a time like this is a grand-slam home run for us and for everyone in Orange County,” said OCTA Chairman Peter Buffa. “Will is one of the most respected leaders in transportation in the country, with a rock-solid reputation that will serve us well. We are very excited about having him join the OCTA team.”

A 35-year veteran of the transportation industry, Kempton was appointed by Gov. Schwarzenegger in 2004 to run Caltrans and oversee 50,000 lane miles of state highways, an annual budget of nearly $14 billion and $10 billion worth of transportation improvements under construction.

Kempton will remain at his Caltrans post until July 31. OCTA’s new chief executive has a long history of public service. Prior to joining Caltrans, Kempton served as assistant city manager for the city of  Folsom. Before that he served on the city’s park and recreations commission for eight years.

“I’m exceptionally proud of what Caltrans has accomplished over the past five years and  it’s been an honor to serve the people of California under the leadership of Gov. Schwarzenegger,” said Kempton. “During my tenure at Caltrans, I have worked in partnership with OCTA many times and I am looking forward to the opportunity to join an agency that is on the leading edge of transportation innovation.” 

Kempton began his career at Caltrans in 1973. He held management positions in finance and the director’s office at Caltrans prior to being appointed as assistant director in charge of legislative and congressional affairs, a position he held from 1980 to 1985. From 1985 to 1992, Kempton served as executive director of the Santa Clara County Traffic Authority. From 1992 to 2002, he was a partner at Smith, Kempton & Watts, a transportation consulting and advocacy firm that focused on major infrastructure programs.

Kempton, who expects to move to Orange County,  resides in Folsom with his wife Beverley.

Kempton is replacing Art Leahy, who left in March to head the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Another Reason to Avoid Avery -- For Now

Most folks probably do all they can to avoid Avery Parkway anyway, especially while classes are in session at Saddleback College, but Laguna Niguel and Mission Viejo are warning that construction is starting on a road-widening project there.

Most of the work will take place at night, but ...

Here's Mission Viejo's release:

Work is expected to start Monday on the Avery Parkway/I-5 Freeway Interchange project, which is designed to improve traffic flow. 

The City of Laguna Niguel is the lead agency on the project that calls for widening Avery Parkway under the freeway bridge and adding an additional travel lane on Avery between the I-5 on and off ramps. 

Portions of Avery Parkway from Marguerite Parkway to the I-5 will need to be re-striped to accommodate construction phases, but no work outside of the Caltrans right-of-way within the City of Mission Viejo will take place. 

Temporary concrete barrier rails (k-rails) will be installed under the freeway overpass on Avery Parkway, with rails temporarily installed on Avery’s south side before being relocated to the north side of the street once the work is finished.

Traffic impacts are expected to minimal and major work requiring multiple lane closures is expected to take place at night. The project is expected to be completed before Thanksgiving.