Draft EIR Released
SANDAG has released a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the South Bay Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project. The release of the Draft EIR begins a 60-day public review and comment period. Members of the public are encouraged to submit their comments to SANDAG by March 29, 2013. Written responses to the public’s comments will be included in the project’s Final EIR. The Final EIR will be considered by the SANDAG Transportation Committee in mid-2013.
Draft Environmental Impact Report
Memo
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Section 1 - Introduction
Section 2 - Project Description
Section 3 - Setting, Impacts, and Mitigation Measures
Section 4 - Other Considerations Required by CEQA
Section 5 - Alternatives Analysis
Section 6 - Cumulative Impacts
Section 7 – DEIR Preparers
Appendix A - Signed NOP
Appendix B - NOP Comments
Appendix C - Visual Impact Assessment
Appendix D - Air Quality Assessment Report
Appendix D2 - Air Quality Emissions and GHG Emissions
Appendix E - Habitat Assessment Report
Appendix F - Jurisdictional Delineation Report
Appendix G - Cultural Resources Report
Appendix H - Preliminary Foundation Report
Appendix H2 - District Preliminary Geotechnical Report
Appendix I - Hazardous Materials ISA Otay Ranch Town Center
Appendix I2 - Hazardous Materials ISA Otay Ranch Town Center
Appendix I3 - Hazardous Materials ISA Otay Border Station
Appendix J - E Palomar Water Quality Technical Report
Appendix J2 - ITC Water Qaulity Techincal Report
Appendix K - Noise Analysis Report
Appendix L - Otay Mesa Traffic Impact Analysis
Appendix L2 - Chula Vista Traffic Impact Analysis
Appendix L3 - Downtown San Diego Traffic Impact Analysis
The document studied three different alignments for the service, as well as a “no build” alternative, evaluating the option of not constructing the project. Additional information includes the results of studies conducted to gauge any potential visual and noise impacts and an assessment of potential environmental impacts.
Members of the community are invited to attend and provide comment at a public meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 19, 2013 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Heritage Elementary School, located at 1450 Santa Lucia Road, Chula Vista, CA 91913.
Comments on the South Bay BRT Draft EIR can be submitted by mail or email to the following:
Andrew Martin
Associate Environmental Planner
SANDAG
401 B St., Ste. 800
San Diego, CA 92101
andrew.martin@sandag.org
The planned South Bay Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service will provide a rapid and reliable transportation alternative from the Otay Mesa Port of Entry to Downtown San Diego via eastern Chula Vista. It will help minimize traffic congestion along a major transportation corridor and offer service to areas not currently served by rapid transit.
South Bay BRT is part of a larger system of rapid bus lines being designed and built by SANDAG in partnership with Caltrans and the region’s transit operators, Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit District (NCTD). The BRT system will bring an additional choice to travelers in the region – providing a fast, comfortable service at high frequencies similar to the San Diego Trolley in order to make traveling on transit more convenient for riders.
The South Bay BRT project will include 11 stations along the 21-mile BRT route, connecting residents to employment and activity centers in downtown and the South Bay. The South Bay BRT will serve offices, shopping centers, recreational facilities, transit-oriented residential communities, schools, and Park & Ride lots, as well as the U.S.-Mexico port of entry at Otay Mesa.
The South Bay BRT will follow a long-planned transit route. Vehicles will travel north on State Route 125 from the Otay Mesa border crossing, then west through eastern Chula Vista, head north on Interstate 805 utilizing the carpool, or High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV), lanes, and then travel west on State Route 94 into Downtown San Diego. The South Bay BRT will have direct connection to the carpool lanes on I-805 via a Direct Access Ramp (DAR) at East Palomar Street.
The South Bay BRT will improve travel times when compared to other forms of transit by utilizing dedicated transit only lanes, traffic signal priority, limited station stops, and real-time passenger information. Service along the corridor will be provided at 10-minute frequencies during peak commute hours, and every 15 minutes during the mid-day. Modern, comfortable vehicles will feature amenities such as improved riding quality, upgraded interiors, and Wi-Fi service.
The South Bay BRT is funded through TransNet, a regional voter-approved half-cent sales tax for local transportation projects. It will be operated by MTS and is expected to go into service in mid-2015. | 
