TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: John Ristow
SUBJECT: See Below DATE: October 7, 2024
Approved
Date:
10/18/24
COUNCIL DISTRICT: 6
SUBJECT: Amended Freeway Maintenance Agreement with Caltrans for the I-280 Soundwall Project
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager or her designee to negotiate and execute the amended Interstate 680 Soundwall Project Maintenance Agreement between the California Department of Transportation and the City of San José to incorporate the Interstate 280 Soundwall Project.
SUMMARY AND OUTCOME
The amended maintenance agreement will establish the maintenance responsibilities of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the City of San José (City) for the improvement within Caltrans’ jurisdiction and/or right-of-way that result from the I- 280 Soundwall Project.
BACKGROUND
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, in partnership with the City and Caltrans (Project Team), has collaboratively developed the project following the Caltrans Project Development Procedures Manual. A Caltrans Noise Barrier Scope Summary Report completed in April 1992 identified the need to install three soundwalls for the purpose of noise attenuation on both sides of the I-280 between Bird Avenue and Los Gatos Creek. In February 2018, the project funding and project description were updated and adopted for the 2018 State Transportation Improvement Program that changed the project limit to State Route 87 to Los Gatos Creek. Based on the 2021 COUNCIL AGENDA: 10/29/24
FILE: 24-2121
ITEM: 2.9
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
October 7, 2024
Subject: Amended Freeway Maintenance Agreement with Caltrans for the I- 280 Soundwall Project
Noise Study Report, the project proposed to add four soundwalls. This high traffic noise level affects the residential and school area, such as Gardner Elementary School, within the project limits.
The project was initially programmed by Caltrans in the 2002 State Transportation Improvement Program for construction in the Fiscal Year 2006-2007, however, due to the change of responsibility between agencies for managing the State Transportation Improvement Program priorities and financial reasons, the project was reprogrammed and pushed out over time. The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority subsequently reprogrammed the project in the 2018 State Transportation Improvement Program to continue with the project delivery. The environmental phase of the project was completed in March of 2022, which also included completing a Noise Study Report that revalidated this need for noise abatement. Currently, the Project Team is near completion of the final design phase.
The project will construct four new sound walls along I-280 from State Route 87 to Los Gatos Creek at the following locations as shown on the Attachment:
• One sound wall along northbound I-280 between the Los Gatos Creek Bridge and the Caltrain tracks;
• One sound wall along southbound I-280 between the Los Gatos Creek Bridge and the Caltrain tracks;
• One sound wall along southbound I-280 between the Caltrain tracks and Bird Avenue; and,
• One sound wall along southbound I-280 between Bird Avenue and State Route
87. The four new sound walls will be built on Caltrans’ right-of-way and no permanent use or loss of City’s right-of-way nor parkland will occur within the project. The project’s construction phase will be funded through State Transportation Improvement Program and vehicle registration funds. The construction phase is estimated to begin in spring 2025 and be completed in fall 2026.
Prior to issuing an encroachment permit for the construction, Caltrans requires the proposed amended maintenance agreement to be executed.
ANALYSIS
The City supports the project, as sound walls reduce noise and improve quality of life for residents. The proposed amended maintenance agreement is a standard agreement that establishes the responsibilities between Caltrans and the City for maintenance of
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
October 7, 2024
Subject: Amended Freeway Maintenance Agreement with Caltrans for the I- 280 Soundwall Project
improvements within the state’s right-of-way. The below table summarizes the roles and responsibilities for each agency.
Table – Agency’s Roles and Responsibilities
Agency Roles and Responsibilities
City of San
José-
Department of
Transportation
• Debris removal, cleaning, and painting to keep the City’s side of sound wall structure free of debris, dirt, and graffiti. • Any vines on the City’s side of any sound wall structure. • Maintenance of any plantings or other types of roadside development – that may be installed by the City – lying outside of the area reserved for exclusive freeway.
Caltrans • The structural adequacy of the sound walls within the project limits.
• Debris removal, cleaning, and painting to keep the state’s side of sound wall structure free of debris, dirt, and graffiti.
Racial Equity Impact Analysis
There are no Senate Bill 535 or Assembly Bill 1550 communities identified within the project limits, nor are there any Equity Priority Communities. However, the community has been significantly impacted by freeways and trains over the years. In this way, the communities impacted have been historically disadvantaged and requested this project, which is seen as necessary to reduce noise and promote a more environmentally friendly living environment.
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
No additional follow-up is anticipated at this time.
COST SUMMARY/IMPLICATIONS
The estimated annual maintenance cost for the four sound walls is $10,149. The Department of Transportation’s portion of the maintenance cost is planned to be included in the 2026-2030 Five-Year Forecast, with expenses anticipated to begin in Fiscal Year 2026-2027 and funding to be included as part of the operating budget process for that fiscal year.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
October 7, 2024
Subject: Amended Freeway Maintenance Agreement with Caltrans for the I- 280 Soundwall Project
COORDINATION
This memorandum has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office, the City Manager’s Budget Office, and the Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement Department.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
This memorandum will be posted on the City’s Council Agenda website for the October 29, 2024 City Council meeting.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION AND INPUT
No commission recommendation or input is associated with this action.
CEQA
Environmental status granted by the Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement Department. Categorically Exempt, File No. ER23-009, CEQA Guideline Section 15301(c) Existing Facilities.
PUBLIC SUBSIDY REPORTING
This item does not include a public subsidy as defined in section 53083 or 53083.1 of the California Government Code or the City’s Open Government Resolution.
/s/
John Ristow
Director of Transportation
For questions, please contact Neil Ong, Senior Engineer, Regional and Local Project Delivery Section, Department of Transportation, at (408) 975-3237.
ATTACHMENT - Project Area Map
ATTACHMENT
Subject: I-280 Soundwall Project
Project Area Map