About the PA&ED Phase

During the PA&ED phase, the project team conducts environmental studies to analyze the effect and impact of the various project alternatives for operational and emergency evacuation improvements. Alternatives are shared with the community, and after studying community input and environmental and engineering studies, Caltrans selects a final alternative. The preferred alternative will balance all users' needs and align with Federal and State laws, policies, and requirements.

Parallel to developing the alternatives, environmental studies required by state and federal laws under the general heading of the CEQA/NEPA are conducted to evaluate potential environmental impacts. Simple projects with few or no environmental impacts can have a one-page Environmental Document (ED). In contrast, larger, more complex projects with significant impacts will likely require a lengthy Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

To complete the PA& ED phase, the Project Development Team (PDT) and the Environmental Unit undertake the following tasks:

• Perform Preliminary Engineering and Draft Project Report: Conduct preliminary engineering studies to develop a draft Project Report (PR) and a final Environmental Study Request (ESR).
• Perform Environmental Studies and Prepare Draft Environmental Document: Determine the project's environmental impact and start preparing the Draft Environmental Document (DED). The type of Environmental Document (ED) depends on the significance of the impact. Larger, more complex projects with significant impacts will likely require a lengthy Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
• Obtain Permits, Licenses, Agreements, and Certifications (PLACs) and Route Adoptions: Identify and obtain necessary permits, agreements, and route adoptions for project construction.
• Circulate Draft Environmental Document and Select Preferred Project Alternative: Circulate the Draft Environmental Document (DED), acquire and respond to public comment, and select a preferred alternative.
• Prepare and Approve Project Report and Final Environmental Document: Final preparation, review, and approval of a Project Report, a Final Environmental Document, and Notices of Determination and/or Records of Decision.

Map

Project Progress

2019-2020

• Project Funding Approved
• Project Approval & Environmental
• Document (PA&ED) Phase Initiated
• DIB 93 Evacuation Route Design Guidance

January & February 2021

• Public Comment Period and,
• Public Scoping Meeting

December 2021

• Development of Draft Evacuation Plan Recommendations Report and,
• 3 Build Alternatives

September 2022

• San Vicente Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plans (CMCP)

October 2023

• Design Funding Approved

2025

• Studied Alternatives Analysis

Summer 2026

• Draft Project Report and,
• Draft Environmental Document

Fall 2026

• Public Hearing

Summer 2027

• Final Environmental Document
• Alternative Selection
• Final Project Report

Winter 2027

• Begin Design

Completed

• Preliminary Design Plans (for 3 Studied Alternatives)
• Traffic Forecasting/Modeling Volumes
• Final Noise Study Report
• Paleontology Study
• Field Surveys for Biological Studies

Ongoing

• Draft Evacuation Analysis
• Draft Geotechnical Report, expected completion December 2024
• Bridge Advance Planning Study, expected completion June 2025
• Traffic Studies
• ​Biological and Wildlife Movement
• Cultural / Ecological / Air Quality​ / Hazardous Waste / Visual Analysis
• VMT Analysis & Mitigation