Vista Drive Ditch Fix

Vista Drive Ditch Fix

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), using state funding only, is proposing a safety project that would make improvements along Interstate 5 (I-5) in Siskiyou County from post mile (PM) R16.70 to PM R17.24. The purpose of the project is to improve the clear recovery zone for all motorists. The project is needed because northbound motorists that have run off the road have twice hit the rock-lined ditch in the I-5 median at this location. The proposed improvements would include: Northbound I-5 • PM R16.70 to PM R16.90 Replace approximately 1,200 linear feet of existing rock slope protection (RSP) in a roadside ditch in the shoulder with smaller RSP. The existing RSP is six feet wide and two feet deep. The new RSP would be six feet wide and two feet deep. • PM R16.98 to PM R17.01 Replace approximately 150 linear feet of existing RSP in a roadside ditch in the shoulder with smaller RSP. The existing RSP is six feet wide and two feet deep. The new RSP would be six feet wide and two feet deep. • PM R17.04 to PM R17.24 Remove approximately 900 linear feet of existing RSP in a roadside ditch in the median and install a paved ditch with Class 2 base overtopped with hot mix asphalt. The existing RSP is eleven feet wide and two feet deep. The new paved ditch would be eleven feet wide and two feet deep. Southbound I-5 • PM R16.74 to PM R16.78 Replace approximately 220 linear feet of existing RSP in a roadside ditch in the shoulder with smaller RSP. The existing RSP is six feet wide and two feet deep. The new RSP would be six feet wide and two feet deep. Traffic Management Construction would be conducted under standard lane and shoulder closures with speed reduction. At least one lane in each direction of travel would remain open to the traveling public during construction. No detours are proposed. Staging/Stockpiling Staging/stockpiling would occur within Caltrans’ right-of-way in the road shoulder or in the median where work would occur. Disposal/Borrow Sites The project would not utilize borrow or disposal sites. Utilities The project would not add new utilities within the project limits and no utility conflicts are anticipated. Disturbed Soil Area The total disturbed soil area associated with construction activities is anticipated to be approximately less than one acre. Maximum excavation depths would be approximately two feet. Impervious Surface Approximately 9,900 square feet of new impervious surface would be added within the project limits in areas where it did not previously exist as a result paving a roadside ditch from PM R17.04 to PM R17.24. Permanent Stormwater Treatment Best Management Practices (BMPs) The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board’s (NCRWQCB) threshold for triggering permanent stormwater treatment BMPs is assumed to be 10,000 square feet since the project is not anticipated to require a permit from the NCRWQCB. The new impervious surface associated with paving the roadside ditch from PM R17.04 to PM R17.24 is anticipated to count toward the threshold. No soil below the structural section of the roadway would be exposed by construction activities. Given that the combined square feet of (1) new impervious surface that would count toward the threshold and (2) the square feet of soil exposed below the structural section of the roadway is not anticipated to exceed the NCRWQCB’s threshold, the project is not anticipated to require permanent stormwater treatment BMPs. Final determination of the need for permanent stormwater treatment BMPs will be identified in the Water Quality Assessment Report to be prepared for the project. If permanent stormwater treatment BMPs are required, then the selection of suitable locations within the project limits to install permanent stormwater treatment BMPs and the type of treatment BMPs to be installed would need to be identified. Construction Access Construction access for improvements would be from the road and shoulder. No temporary construction access roads for construction equipment are proposed. Right-of-Way All work would occur inside Caltrans’ right-of-way. The project would not require any temporary construction easements or permanent easements. Construction of the project would not require the permanent acquisition of additional right-of-way. No federal land is present within the project limits. Schedule The project is anticipated to require 15 working days to complete and would be completed in one construction season. Permits The proposed work would not impact any waters of the U.S./state or riparian vegetation. As such, regulatory permits are not required from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, or California Department of Fish and Wildlife Service. Consultation/Coordination Caltrans has performed a review of resource records and databases and consulted with applicable tribes, agencies, and individuals. Consultation with tribes is ongoing and will continue through project completion.

Siskiyou

Northern California