comment letter b14: gale jaffe...

Appendix H. Comments on the Draft IS/EA

State Route 2 Freeway Terminus Improvement Project Final Initial Study/Environmental Assessment

October 2010 H-62

Comment Letter B14: Gale Jaffe (07/01/09)



October 2010 H-63

Response to Comment #1

LADOT’s Silver Lake North Sub-Area Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan implemented a left-turn restriction sign on Glendale Boulevard at Earl Street, not a median. Cut-through traffic between Glendale Boulevard and Silver Lake Boulevard was effectively eliminated in this sub-area as a result of the entire traffic mitigation and calming program. In February 2007, a survey was administered asking residents whether they supported those traffic restrictions. Needing a supermajority to keep the restrictions in place, the “yes” responses tallied just 58.97% of the total vote and the measures were removed.

Comment noted regarding the signal and delay for traffic off the freeway.



October 2010 H-64

Comment Letter B15: Barbara Jarvik (06/11/09)



October 2010 H-65


The comment in favor of Alternative D is noted for the record by Caltrans and Metro.



October 2010 H-66

Comment Letter B16: Ben Juarez (06/09/09)



October 2010 H-67



October 2010 H-68


The comment in favor of Alternative D is noted for the record by Caltrans and Metro.



October 2010 H-69

Comment Letter B17: Sandy Kaye (06/16/09)



October 2010 H-70



October 2010 H-71



October 2010 H-72



October 2010 H-73


Comment noted. The preferred alternative, Alternative F, similar to Alternative A, would retain the flyover for use by motor vehicles. However, restriping of Glendale Boulevard and installation of meters on the flyover would reduce the safety hazards identified in the comment.


Cut-through traffic between Glendale Boulevard and Silver Lake Boulevard was effectively eliminated in this sub-area during LADOT’s Silver Lake North Sub-Area Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan implementation period. In February 2007, a survey was administered asking residents whether they supported those traffic restrictions. Needing a supermajority to keep the restrictions in place, the “yes” responses tallied just 58.97% of the total vote and the measures were removed.


The preferred alternative is Alternative F, the Hybrid Alternative, which retains the flyover for motor vehicle use but relocates the southbound SR-2 exit ramps similar to Alternatives B through E creating new open space immediately west of the flyover.


Please see the response to Comment #3 above.


No retaining wall is required under the preferred alternative, Alternative F – Hybrid Alternative.


Comment noted. Scoping meetings on the project, which initiated the environmental data collection phase of the project, were held in April of 2006. The traffic study was based on traffic count data collected in June 2006, which was during LADOT’s Silver Lake North Sub-Area Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan implementation period. Traffic counts were collected at the affected study intersections in September 2007 to determine changes in travel patterns resulting from the removal of the traffic calming devices. It is recommended that LADOT conduct a neighborhood traffic study after the locally preferred alternative is implemented and traffic flow has stabilized.


Comment noted. Additional landscaping would be provided as part of the proposed project.



October 2010 H-74


Comment noted. Also see the response to Comment #1 above.


Comment noted. Also, please note that the traffic study scope of work and the analyzed intersections were determined based on consultation with Metro, LADOT, and Caltrans.



October 2010 H-75

Comment Letter B18: Sandy Kaye (07/01/09)



October 2010 H-76



October 2010 H-77


Comments noted. The preferred alternative, Alternative F – Hybrid Alternative, would retain the flyover for motor vehicle use and would help reduce cut-through traffic by preventing SR-2 motorists who exit onto northbound Glendale Boulevard from making a left turn onto Waterloo Street at the intersection of Waterloo and Glendale.



October 2010 H-78

Comment Letter B19: Jim Kwiej (06/11/09)



October 2010 H-79



October 2010 H-80


The preferred alternative, Alternative F – Hybrid Alternative, would retain the flyover for motor vehicle use, relocate the southbound SR-2 exit ramp to the east and allow right-turns only onto northbound Glendale Boulevard, restripe Glendale Boulevard to reduce the safety hazards posed by high-speed traffic on the flyover merging with the southbound Glendale Boulevard lanes, restripe the southbound SR-2 lanes to improve operation of SR-2, include new signage at the I-5/SR-2 interchange and along southbound SR-2, and would provide meters on the flyover to regulate traffic flow. These improvements would reduce vehicle delay through the terminus, improve safety, reduce neighborhood cut-through traffic, and also provide for additional open space for the community.



October 2010 H-81

Comment Letter B20: Alexis Lantz (06/11/09)



October 2010 H-82


The comment in favor of Alternative C is noted for the record by Caltrans and Metro.



October 2010 H-83

Comment Letter B21: Sun Lee (07/06/09)



October 2010 H-84


Comment noted. The preferred alternative, Alternative F – Hybrid Alternative, would retain the flyover for motor vehicle use, relocate the southbound SR-2 exit ramp to the east and allow right-turns only onto northbound Glendale Boulevard, restripe Glendale Boulevard to reduce the safety hazards posed by high-speed traffic on the flyover merging with the southbound Glendale Boulevard lanes, restripe the southbound SR-2 lanes to improve operation of SR-2, include new signage at the I-5/SR-2 interchange and along southbound SR-2, and would provide meters on the flyover to regulate traffic flow. These improvements would reduce vehicle delay through the terminus, improve safety, reduce neighborhood cut-through traffic, and also provide for additional open space for the community.


Comment noted. Also, please see the response to Comment #1 above.



October 2010 H-85

Comment Letter B22: Clint Lukens (07/02/09)



October 2010 H-86


Comments noted. The preferred alternative, Alternative F – Hybrid Alternative, would retain the flyover for motor vehicle use and would help reduce cut-through traffic by preventing SR-2 motorists who exit onto northbound Glendale Boulevard from making a left turn onto Waterloo Street at the intersection of Waterloo and Glendale.

Also, please note that cut-through traffic between Glendale Boulevard and Silver Lake Boulevard was effectively eliminated in this sub-area during LADOT’s Silver Lake North Sub-Area Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan implementation period. In February 2007, a survey was administered asking residents whether they supported those traffic restrictions. Needing a supermajority to keep the restrictions in place, the “yes” responses tallied just 58.97% of the total vote and the measures were removed.



October 2010 H-87

Comment Letter B23: James Maxtone-Graham (06/11/09)



October 2010 H-88


Comments noted. Also, please see the responses to Comment Letter B2.



October 2010 H-89

Comment Letter B24: Isa-Kae Meksin (06/09/09)



October 2010 H-90



October 2010 H-91



October 2010 H-92


The commenter’s suggestion has been noted for the record by Caltrans and Metro.


Comment noted. Also, please see the responses to Comment Letter B2.



October 2010 H-93

Comment Letter B25: Rusty Millar (07/02/09)



October 2010 H-94



October 2010 H-95


Comments noted. Cut-through traffic between Glendale Boulevard and Silver Lake Boulevard was effectively eliminated in this sub-area during LADOT’s Silver Lake North Sub-Area Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan implementation period. In February 2007, a survey was administered asking residents whether they supported those traffic restrictions. Needing a supermajority to keep the restrictions in place, the “yes” responses tallied just 58.97% of the total vote and the measures were removed.

Also, please note that under the preferred alternative, Alternative F, on northbound Glendale Boulevard, a left-turn lane to Waterloo Street would continue to be provided; however, the left-turn pocket would be extended south and would be barrier separated from the adjacent northbound Glendale Boulevard lanes to prevent southbound SR-2 exit ramp traffic from entering the left-turn pocket and turning left onto Waterloo.


Further landscaping improvements to the Glendale Boulevard and SR-2 medians will be considered during final design and will be contingent upon securing the necessary funding. Additionally, under Alternative F, landscaping in the median and along the sides of the SR-2 freeway will be preserved as much as feasible. Shrubs, groundcover, trees or vine will be planted depending on the amount of space and in conformance with Caltrans planting setbacks, planting policy, and input from Caltrans’ Maintenance division.


The preferred alternative, Alternative F – Hybrid Alternative, would not include a new signal at the terminus. Under the preferred alternative, the flyover would be retained for use by motor vehicles and the relocated southbound SR-2 exit ramp would be restricted to right-turns only onto northbound Glendale Boulevard. These and other improvements proposed under the preferred alternative would reduce overall vehicle delay through the terminus compared to the No-Build and other build alternatives.





October 2010 H-96

Comment Letter B26: Darren Mueller (06/24/09)



October 2010 H-97

Responses to Comment #1 - 3

The comments on existing signage and safety issues do not raise any environmental issues pertinent to the proposed project but are, nonetheless, noted for the record, and will be forwarded to the appropriate persons at Caltrans and the City for their consideration.


Comment noted.



October 2010 H-98

Comment Letter B27: Darren Mueller (06/24/09)



October 2010 H-99

Response to Comments #1 and #2

Please see the responses to Comment Letter B26.



October 2010 H-100

Comment Letter B28: Sallie Neubauer (06/29/09)



October 2010 H-101


Alternative F – Hybrid Alternative, which consists of components of the other build alternatives, has been identified as the preferred alternative by the Project Development Team. Alternative F would retain the flyover for motor vehicle use, relocate the southbound SR-2 exit ramp to the east and allow right-turns only onto northbound Glendale Boulevard, restripe Glendale Boulevard to reduce the safety hazards posed by high-speed traffic on the flyover merging with the southbound Glendale Boulevard lanes, restripe the southbound SR-2 lanes to improve operation of SR-2, include new signage at the I-5/SR-2 interchange and along southbound SR-2, and would provide meters on the flyover to regulate traffic flow. These improvements would reduce vehicle delay through the terminus, improve safety, reduce neighborhood cut-through traffic, and also provide for additional open space for the community.

Alternative F would provide 2.6 acres of open space compared to 3 acres under Alternative D and would cost $18.2 million to design and construct. Alternative D would also cost $18.2 million to design and construct.


Comments noted. The new open space would be landscaped in accordance with Caltrans’ standards. Further improvements to the new open space, such as pedestrian and bike paths and enhanced landscaping and other amenities, would be contingent upon securing the necessary funding and obtaining an agreement with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks to operate and maintain the new improved open space.



October 2010 H-102

Comment Letter B29: Dion Neutra (06/17/09)



October 2010 H-103



October 2010 H-104


New freeway signage will be included in the improvements that would be implemented under Alternative F, the preferred alternative. The precise locations of new signs and electronic signage will be determined during final design.


Comments noted. In addition to the new signage discussed in the response above, the preferred alternative will include a “slow-down” package of improvements to manage traffic flow and speeds. These improvements would include metering signals that would be installed on each lane of the flyover structure to regulate traffic flow and radar-triggered advance warning signs on southbound SR-2, south of the I-5/SR-2 interchange.


The new open space and other non-pavement areas disturbed by construction activities under the preferred alternative would be landscaped in accordance with Caltrans’ standards (City standards for those portions within City right-of-way).


The person at Caltrans to contact with questions regarding the proposed project is Jinous Saleh at 213-897-0683.



October 2010 H-105

Comment Letter B30: Dion Neutra (06/23/09)



October 2010 H-106



October 2010 H-107



October 2010 H-108


If the commenter is referring to the park improvements proposed under the Silver Lake Reservoir Master Plan, an Initial Study was prepared by the Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering that determined that the proposed project would not result in traffic or other significant impacts. Additionally, it should be noted that the traffic analysis prepared for the SR-2 Freeway Terminus Improvement Project assumed an annual growth rate in traffic volumes of 1.04% for the AM peak hour and 0.97% for the PM peak hour through the year 2030 to reflect the ambient or background growth in traffic on an annual basis and the traffic resulting from the completion of specific projects in or in the vicinity of the study area.


Under the preferred alternative, Alternative F – Hybrid Alternative, the flyover would remain for use by motor vehicles. Alternative F would also relocate the southbound SR-2 exit ramp to the east and allow right-turns only onto northbound Glendale Boulevard, restripe Glendale Boulevard to reduce the safety hazards posed by high-speed traffic on the flyover merging with the southbound Glendale Boulevard lanes, restripe the southbound SR-2 lanes to improve operation of SR-2, include new signage at the I-5/SR-2 interchange and along southbound SR-2, and would provide meters on the flyover to regulate traffic flow. These improvements would reduce overall vehicle delay through the terminus in comparison to the No-Build and other build alternatives, improve safety, reduce neighborhood cut-through traffic, and also provide for additional open space for the community.




Please see the responses to Comment Letter B29, Comments #1 and #2.


Please see the response to Comment Letter B29, Comment #1.


Comment noted. Under the preferred alternative, Alternative F, the unused portion of the overpass structure, adjacent to the flyover, could be used to provide a pedestrian connection from Tommy Lasorda Field of Dreams on the south to the new open space created on the north. The new open space will be landscaped in accordance with Caltrans’ standards. Additional landscaping and enhancements to the new open space area, such as pedestrian and bike paths, will be contingent upon securing additional funding and obtaining the necessary agreement with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks to operate and maintain the new improved open space.



October 2010 H-109

Comment Letter B31: Lori Oddino (06/09/09)



October 2010 H-110



October 2010 H-111



October 2010 H-112


The comment opposing Alternative A is noted for the record by Caltrans and Metro.


Comment noted.


Comments in favor of Alternative D are noted for the record by Caltrans and Metro. Alternative F, Hybrid Alternative, which has been identified as the preferred alternative by the Project Development Team, consists of components of the other build alternatives. Alternative F would retain the flyover for motor vehicle use, relocate the southbound SR-2 exit ramp to the east and allow right-turns only onto northbound Glendale Boulevard, restripe Glendale Boulevard to reduce the safety hazards posed by high-speed traffic on the flyover merging with the southbound Glendale Boulevard lanes, restripe the southbound SR-2 lanes to improve operation of SR-2, include new signage at the I-5/SR-2 interchange and along southbound SR-2, and would provide meters on the flyover to regulate traffic flow. These improvements would reduce overall vehicle delay through the terminus, improve safety, reduce neighborhood cut-through traffic, and also provide for additional open space for the community.

comment letter b14: gale jaffe...

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