2017-046 - Approving Addendum Nos. 1 and 2

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OCTA I July 2016 r�� VIASupplement J trees, and residential neighborhoods. As provided in the 2015 EA, the visual quality of Area A is considered Moderate Low to Moderate. Under existing conditions, Westminster Avenue is situated at -grade within the PE ROW and contains a median landscaped with grass and several tall, mature trees. With the implementation of the LPA, Westminster Avenue would be maintained at grade through the PE ROW with the street car alignment crossing via a new single span tied - arch bridge crossing up to 220 feet in length with a maximum deck height of 23 feet. Although no bridge design was prepared for the Westminster Avenue Bridge as part of the 2015 EA, for visual analysis purposes, the 2015 EA depicted the bridge in a conceptual photo simulation as a single span arched bridge. Figure 2 illustrates the existing at -grade crossing and proposed conditions under the approved 2015 LPA, with a single span tied - arch bridge. As an outcome of advancing the project design and performing value engineering for the LPA, OCTA determined that more efficient bridge design options could be implemented at the Westminster Avenue location. This resulted in the selection of a concrete box girder bridge design that is more conventionally used in highway and light-rail/streetcar corridors throughout southern California. The modified bridge design would include a two span concrete box girder bridge structure, as depicted in Figure 3, which would have similar dimensions for deck height and total length as compared to the conceptual bridge structure depicted in the 2015 EA. The main differences between the previously -depicted bridge and the current bridge type include the elimination of the arches and hangers in the bridge's superstructure, which would increase the visibility of the catenary wires, and the addition of a single bent (pier support) near the center of the bridge. As shown in Figure 3, the modified bridge's appearance within the PE ROW would be similar to what was previously shown for the bridge in terms of scale. Additionally, based on the surrounding Moderate Low to Moderate visual quality, the minor modifications would not occur within an area that is highly sensitive to visual change. Similar to the bridge concept depicted in the 2015 EA, the existing mature trees along Westminster Avenue would screen/buffer views of the bridge from adjacent vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Although the bridge would be visible to residences south of Westminster Avenue and motorists driving along Westminster Avenue, the visual quality of the area is urban in nature such that the bridge's addition would have no adverse affect/no significant impact. Further, it is not anticipated that the bridge would be visible to residences northeast of the Harbor BoulevardANestminster Avenue intersection. Based on these 41 Page