Department of Public Works
PRESENTATION BY LOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
ON THE I-210 HIGHWAY SOUNDWALLS PROGRAM
City Council
October 2, 2023
Special Item # A
Background
Department of Public Works
• On May 8, 2023 - City Council authorized execution of maintenance agreements with Caltrans for soundwalls
under construction by Metro along I-210.
• City Council requested a follow-up discussion with Metro & Caltrans on implementation of Metro’s Highway Soundwall Program.
• City Council emphasized the need for soundwalls as an added measure to improve quality of life for nearby residents 2 Metro I-210 Phase I Soundwalls
Department of Public Works
• Approx. 1.1 mile of 11 soundwall segments along
I-210, between Fair Oaks Ave. & Wilson Ave. and
Maple St & Corson St.
• Up to 15-ft tall concrete masonry block walls per
Metro design standards
• Construction underway; completion by 2026
> One traffic lane open at all times along Maple Street & Corson Street within project limits
> Construction hours within 7:00am – 7:00pm per City’s Noise Ordinance
3 Department of Public Works
4 Metro I-210 Phase I Soundwalls
Department of Public Works
Metro Presentation
I-210 Metro Highway Soundwalls Program
by
Lourdes Kriste, Metro Manager
Complete Streets & Highways
Countywide Planning & Development Department
5 Metro’sHighwaySoundwallProgram
CountywidePlanning & Development
Complete Streets & Highways
October 2023
Metro’sHighwaySoundwall
Program - RegulatoryRequirements
❖ Title 23, Part 772, Code of Federal Regulations – Procedures for conducting noise studies and evaluating noise abatement measures ❖ Under 23CFR772.2projects are categorized as Type I, Type II, or Type III ❖ Type I – New construction or reconstruction projects (i.e., auxiliary lane, relocation of interchangelanes or ramps, HOV/HOTlanes)
❖ Type II- Retrofit noise abatement projects (Metro’s Countywide Soundwall Program)
❖ Type III- Does not meet Type I or Type II criteria (i.e., maintenance projects)
Metro’sHighwaySoundwall
Program– Roles& Responsibilities
❖ Prior to 1998 Caltrans nominated soundwalls for funding though the California TransportationCommission (CTC)
❖ In 1998, State law transferred the programming from Caltrans to regional agencies
❖ In Los Angeles County, Metro identifies and programs funds, and delivers soundwall projects
1998
SB 45
Metro ResponsibilityCaltrans Responsibility
Metro’sHighwaySoundwall
Program
❖ In 2000, Metro adopted the Soundwall ImplementationPolicy, and with Caltrans, developed the Retrofit Soundwall List
❖ Soundwalls on the list are prioritized and delivered in two phases ❖ Phase I – Soundwall projectsalong freewaysegments where HOV lanes were constructed without soundwalls
❖ Phase II – All other retrofit soundwall locations deemed eligible along various freeways
❖ Based on noise readings conducted by Caltrans
Metro’sHighwaySoundwall
Program
Phase I consists of three priority categories where HOV lanes were constructed without soundwalls:
❖ Priority 1 (completed) – Soundwalls were constructed on one side of the freeway during HOV construction.
❖ Priority 2 – Soundwalls were not constructed on either side of the freeway. ❖ Priority 3 – Soundwalls that met requirementsto be in the Phase I list but were identified after establishment of the initial Phase I list.
Phase II contains soundwalls for all other freeways.
Metro’sHighwaySoundwall
Program
Phase II Soundwalls within the City of Pasadena
• Westbound and Eastbound I-210 from N.
Arroyo Blvd to Orange Grove Blvd
• Approximately4.2 miles of soundwalls
• Rough order of magnitude for design and
construction cost: $42 million - $84 million
based on 2019-dollarestimates
Metro’sHighwaySoundwall
Program
Soundwall Project Delivery Steps
1. Noise investigationis completed by Caltrans:
a) Pre 2016 was funded by Caltrans
b) Post 2016 is funded by Metro
2. Prepare a Project Study Report – Project Report (PSR-PR) to identify the proposed heights and locations of soundwalls; identify utilities and provide cost estimates. Metro secures funding for PSR-PR and Caltrans develops and delivers the report
• Structures, hazardous waste, environmental, visual, utilities
3. Metro secures funding to proceed to design and construction phases Metro'sHighwaySoundwall
Program
Eligible Fund Source Eligible
Phase
Notes
Proposition C 25% I $94 million invested to build soundwalls within Phase I Priority 1
Measure R
Metro Allocation I & II $250 million programmed to build soundwalls within Phase I
Subregional Highways
Funds & Local Return
I & II Only Arroyo Verdugo and Gateway Cities
programmed part of their allocations to build
soundwalls
Measure M
Subregional Highways
Funds & Local Return
I & II Subregions can program part of their
allocations to build soundwalls
Metro’sHighwaySoundwall
Program
There are preliminary field tests conducted that establish eligibility for Soundwall Projects. Metro follows Caltrans and FHWA criteria. Criteria include:
❖ Hourly noise levels above the 67DbA threshold
❖ Cost (reasonable allowance of $107,000per benefited receptor) ❖ The location is along residential property,parks, churches or other sensitive receptors that existed prior to the construction of a highway or proposed improvementsof a highway
❖ Noise reduction must result from the soundwall (5-decibel reduction) Metro'sHighway
SoundwallProgram
❖ Current estimates for design and construction costs based on 2019- dollars:
❖ $10 million/mile if placed adjacent to the freeway shoulder ❖ $20 million/mile if on bridge structures or retaining walls ❖ The cost estimate to complete the remaining Phase I (Priority 2, Packages 12-14 and Priority 3 lists) is between $216.6 million to $433.2 million ❖ The cost estimate to complete the remaining Phase II list is between $688 million to $1.3 billion
Thankyou!
Soundwall Program Webpage:
https://www.metro.net/about/highway-
soundwalls/
Lourdes Kriste
Soundwall Program Manager
[email protected]