PW00906 FIRST ST. CYCLE TRACK | CEQA-EA
CITY OF FRESNO
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NO. PW00906
THE PROJECT DESCRIBED HEREIN IS DETERMINED TO BE CATEGORICALLY
EXEMPT FROM THE PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 19 OF THE STATE CEQA GUIDELINES.
APPLICANT: Scott P. Sehm, PE
Department of Public Works
City of Fresno
2600 Fresno Street
Fresno, CA 93721
PROJECT LOCATION: First Street, between Hazelwood Ave. and Tulare Ave.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The City of Fresno Department of Public Works propos es to make improvements to the segment of First Street, from
Hazelwood Avenue to Tulare Avenue to facilitate the
installation of a Class IV Cycle Track along this segment of roadway. The scope of work inc ludes pavement grind and overlay, installation of signage, striping, methyl -methacrylate (MMA), and placement of flexible post delineations to create the Class IV facilities. Other associated work includes replacement of vehicle detection loops, and the reconstruction of curb ramps and median nose cutbacks within crosswalks to ADA compliance . This cycle track project will provide a physical barrier between vehicles and cyclists which is appealing to less experienced bicyclists because of the separation and protection from adjacent vehicle travel lanes they offer. The project, once completed, will encourage healthy behaviors, and contribute to travel mode shifts over time as more people sw itch from motorized vehicle travel to bicycling. Curb ramp reconstruction will improve accessibility for pedestrians.
This project is exempt under Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, as follows:
Section 15301/Class 1 consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency's determination. The types of "existing facilities" itemized below are not intended to be all -inclusive of the types of projects which might fall within Class 1. The key consideration is whether the project involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use.
Specifically included in this class of exemption are:
PW00906 FIRST ST. CYCLE TRACK | CEQA-EA
(c) Existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities (this includes road grading for the purpose of public safety); and
(d) Restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damaged structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment to meet current standards of public health and safety, unless it is determined that the damage was substantial and resulted from an environmental hazard such as earthquake, landslide, or flood.
The proposed project will make improvements to the segment of First Street within the limits as described which will rehabilitate the roadway w ithout increasing roadway capacity. No additional traffic or associated traffic impacts will result from the proposed improvements. The project is consistent with the Fresno General Plan and complies with all conditions described in Section 15301/Class 1 of the California CEQA Guidelines.
None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project. Furthermore, the proposed project is not expected to have a significant effect on the environment. Accordingly, a categorical exemption, as noted above, has been prepared for the project and the area is not environmentally sensitive.
Date: March 24, 2022
Prepared By: Scott P. Sehm, PE
Submitted by:
Scott P. Sehm, PE
Public Works Manager
City of Fresno
Public Works Department
(559) 621-8712