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EXHIBIT 2 <br /> PRELIMINARY ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY FORM RESPONSES <br /> General <br /> 1. Will the project require future construction to fully utilize the design capabilities included in <br /> the proposed project? <br /> The proposed project, as designed, would provide a number of potential traffic-related, <br /> environmental, and safety-related benefits, without future construction: <br /> • Elimination of traffic delays related to the existing Orange County Transportation Authority <br /> (OCTA) Metrolink at-grade crossing at Santa Ana Boulevard; <br /> • assist in vehicle emissions reduction (along Santa Ana Boulevard) related to motorists <br /> waiting for trains to traverse the existing at-grade crossing; <br /> • decrease in delays and improved travel time along Santa Ana Boulevard, which in turn <br /> reduces travel cost; <br /> • decrease in emergency response times related to existing at-grade crossing traffic delays; <br /> and <br /> • Reduction or elimination of rear-end collisions, and elimination of potential broadside <br /> collisions with trains, along Santa Ana Boulevard at the OCTA Metrolink tracks. <br /> The proposed project would be able to function independently, and would not require future <br /> construction to fully utilize the design capabilities included in the proposed project. <br /> 2. Will the project generate public controversy? No known public controversy exists regarding the <br /> proposed project. There is no reason to expect substantial public interest in the project from a <br /> community standpoint based on potential environmental effects. The proposed project is expected to <br /> provide a number of potential traffic-related, environmental, and safety-related benefits to the <br /> community. It is anticipated that any local interest in the environmental impacts of the project would <br /> be primarily related to typical concerns related to grade separation projects such as property <br /> acquisition and visual and noise impacts for residents located immediately adjacent to the project <br /> alignment. This will be further evaluated in the Community Impact Assessment that is prepared and <br /> during the public information meeting that is held for the project. <br /> Noise <br /> 3. Is the project a Type I project as defined in 23 CFR 772.5(h); "construction on new location or <br /> the physical alteration of an existing highway, which significantly changes either the <br /> horizontal or vertical alignment or increases the number of through-traffic lanes"?According to <br /> 23 CFR 772.5(h), a Type I project involves "construction on new location or the physical alteration of <br /> an existing highway which significantly changes either the horizontal or vertical alignment or <br /> increases the number of through-traffic lanes." The proposed project involves the arade separation of <br /> an existing road/railroad crossing, which would involve the construction of an underpass (roadway <br /> passing under the railroad tracks). This would alter the vertical alignment of the roadway, thus the <br /> proposed project is a Type I project. <br /> 4. Does the project have the potential for adverse construction-related noise impact (such as <br /> related to pile driving)? The proposed project will likely involve pile driving during construction. This <br /> type of work would be limited in duration; however, this will be further evaluated and addressed in the <br /> Noise Study. <br /> Air Quality <br /> 5. Is the project in a National Ambient Air Quality Standards non-attainment or maintenance <br /> area? The proposed project is located in the South Coast Air Basin (SCAB). As shown below, the <br /> State of California has designated the SCAB as being a nonattainment area for ozone (03) and <br /> 2 <br />