Avenue 56 Permanent Restoration Improvements Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026080338
Public Agency
Tulare County
Document Title
Avenue 56 Permanent Restoration Improvements Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/12/2026
Document Description
Avenue 56 serves as a major collector road from the community of Alpaugh to State Routes 43 and 99. In early 2023, Avenue 56 was submerged by floodwater that damaged the roadway. An emergency restoration project was undertaken to elevate the roadway by five feet. The proposed project is needed to implement permanent
improvements to address safety concerns.
Contact Information
Name
Gary Mills
Agency Name
County of Tulare, Resource Management Agency
Job Title
Chief Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Jessica Wills
Agency Name
County of Tulare, Resource Management Agency
Job Title
Environmental Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Omar Padilla
Agency Name
County of Tulare, Public Works
Job Title
Engineer
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Cities
unincorporated area, Alpaugh
Counties
Tulare
Regions
Southern California, Unincorporated
Other Location Info
1) from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks east to the property limits of the California High Speed Rail Authority property; (2) approximately 1,700 feet from the Authority property east to the State Route 43 right-of-way; and (3) approximately one mile east from the State Route 43 right-of-way line.
This Project consists of permanent repair and safety improvements to existing Avenue 56 roadway facilities along three segments: (1) from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks east to the property limits of the California High Speed
Rail Authority property; (2) approximately 1,700 feet from the Authority property east to the State Route 43 right-of-way; and (3) approximately one mile east from the State Route 43 right-of-way line. Avenue 56 serves as a major collector roadway providing access between the community of Alpaugh and State Routes 43 and 99. In early 2023, Avenue 56 was submerged by floodwater that damaged the roadway and required emergency restoration. Additional right-of-way will be acquired along the Avenue 56 corridor to accommodate the existing cross-section of the elevated roadway. This Project would provide permanent improvements to the emergency restoration, including roadway profile modifications, embankment fill, roadway stabilization, drainage improvements, a 28-foot-wide paved surface, 8-foot-wide gravel shoulders, and traversable side slopes where feasible. Work would also include extension, installation, modification, and/or replacement of existing drainage culverts and related headwall improvements. The Project would restore and maintain the existing roadway facility, improve roadway safety and stability, and support continued public access. The Project would not add travel lanes, increase roadway capacity, or change the existing roadway use.
Sections 25 and 36, Township 23S, Range 23E;
Sections 28-33, Township 23S, Range 24E
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Class 1 Section 15301 Existing Facilities (c) and (d)
Reasons for Exemption
This Project is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15301, Class 1, Existing Facilities, subsections (c) and (d), because it consists of repair, restoration, rehabilitation, and minor alteration of an existing County roadway facility damaged by prior flood conditions, with negligible or no expansion of existing use. The Project would restore and maintain the existing roadway facility, improve roadway safety and stability, address drainage deficiencies, and meet current public health and safety standards. The Project would occur within the existing County right-of-way and would not add travel lanes, increase roadway capacity, or change the existing roadway use.
The County has further determined that none of the exceptions to the use of categorical exemptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines §15300.2 apply. The Project would not result in a significant cumulative impact, would not result in a significant effect due to unusual circumstances, would not damage scenic resources within an officially designated State Scenic Highway, is not located on a hazardous waste site listed pursuant to Government Code §65962.5, and would not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource.
County Clerk
Tulare
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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