FREEWAY AGREEMENT

COUNCIL DISTRICT: 3

SNI AREA: N/A

RECOMMENDATION

1. Conduct a public hearing on the approval of a freeway agreement with the State of California.

2. Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute the freeway agreement with the State of California’s Department of Transportation for the Route 880 at Coleman Avenue interchange project.

BACKGROUND

The City of San José and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), in cooperation with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) as the lead design and construction agency, are developing a project to upgrade the Route 880 interchange at Coleman Avenue. The project is necessary to enhance traffic operations and safety at the interchange, improve access to the Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport and support development of the surrounding area.

The scope of the project includes replacing and widening the Coleman Avenue bridge, reconstruction of all interchange ramps and intersections, the addition of a direct access ramp from Airport Boulevard to southbound Route 880, Newhall Street modifications, enhanced bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and landscaping. The estimated total cost of the project is $73 million. The project is scheduled to be awarded for construction by the VTA in December 2003 and the planned completion date is July 2006.

To support implementation of this project, it is necessary for the City Council to approve a new Route 880/Coleman Avenue freeway agreement with Caltrans.

ANALYSIS

In accordance with Section 100.2 of the California Streets and Highways Code, Caltrans is required to enter into an agreement with the local agency having jurisdiction over the streets that will be affected by the freeway project. The freeway agreement documents the general alignment and configuration of the planned freeway project as indicated on the attached copy of the Route 880/Coleman Avenue freeway agreement map. In addition, the freeway agreement identifies local streets that will be constructed or modified by the project to include:

· A portion of Airport Boulevard will become State right-of-way as a new on ramp to southbound Route 880 is to be constructed along this alignment.

· A cul-de-sac will be constructed on Newhall Street at Coleman Avenue to construct the improvements to the southbound Route 880 on ramp. A new local street (identified on the attachment as “FMC Road”) will be constructed to provide access to/from the neighborhood and businesses.

· Portions of local streets (no longer used by the public), within the Guadalupe Gardens area, will be relinquished to the State in accordance with Streets and Highways Code, Section 83 for the new on/off ramps for northbound Route 880. This action is consistent with the Guadalupe Gardens Master Plan.

Furthermore, Section 100.22 of the California Streets and Highways Code requires that a public hearing be conducted by the local agency prior to entering into a freeway agreement. On September 30, 2003, City Council adopted a resolution setting a public hearing on October 21, 2003, at 7:00 p.m. for the approval of a freeway agreement Notices of the public hearing will be publicized in the in the San Jose Post-Record and the San Jose Mercury News in coordination with the City Clerk’s Office.

PUBLIC OUTREACH

The development of the freeway agreement has been coordinated with Caltrans and the VTA. In addition, City and VTA staff, in conjunction with the District 3 Council Office, has conducted several community outreach meetings to discuss the project with nearby businesses and residents. Meetings with the Vermont Street and Newhall Street neighborhoods are currently scheduled on the evening of October 16, 2003. An Open House regarding the project will be held for all residents and businesses in the vicinity of the project before construction begins.

COORDINATION

This item has been coordinated with the Airport Department, Department of Public Works, the City Manager’s Budget Office, and the City Attorney’s Office.

COST IMPLICATIONS

There are no cost implications associated with this agreement, and the agreement will not change the total project cost estimates for the City’s contribution. The City contribution for the project includes $5 million invested in prior years for project engineering, as well as $4 million for utility relocation work, which commenced in 2002-2003. The $4 million is expected to be repaid by the VTA as programmed in the 2004-2008 Adopted Capital Improvement Program.

CEQA

Resolution No. 71448, PP03-02-071

James R. Helmer

Director of Transportation

Attachment