Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER AN UPDATE ON REDESIGNATION OF ALAMEDA BOULEVARD TO STATE ROUTE 47 (CITY COUNCIL)
Body
I. SUMMARY
Alameda Boulevard through the City of Carson is a heavy truck route and part of the Alameda Corridor freight corridor designed to streamline the movement of goods from the Port of Long Beach to the freight terminals near Downtown Los Angeles. It is shown on maps as State Route 47 (SR 47) but was omitted from the State highway system when the corridor was established, meaning that the State of California does not consider part of the highway system and does not maintain it.
The City has sought for years to have Alameda/SR47 accepted back into the State highway system as then Caltrans would become responsible for the maintenance and all required improvements of the road, which is significant due to the heavy truck usage. The City currently pays to maintain Alameda.
In October, 2021 Caltrans indicated that they would support the redesignation of the road into the State highway system, a formal process culminating with an application to and a hearing at the California Transportation Commission. This meeting was the result of months talking to someone from the White House who was trying to assist in the Goods Movement and supply chain issue from the ports of LA and Long Beach. In the meantime, Caltrans indicated they would be willing to maintain Alameda under an MOU or a “Caltrans Freeway Maintenance Agreement” or a “Work for Others Maintenance Agreement.”
Staff and the City Attorney’s Office are meeting with the local Caltrans District 7 to work through the issues, including indemnity provisions; the scope of maintenance; reimbursement and/or contribution of maintenance by Carson; the route adoption process; funding; issuance of permits to Caltrans for work to be performed within SR-47 right of way; time limit; and ADA compliance for sidewalks/ramps, etc
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
RECEIVE AND FILE.
Body
III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
Included in Summary.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact of a route adoption of SR 47 by the State in undetermined at this time but expected to be positive for the City of Carson.
VI. EXHIBITS
None.
Prepared by: Eliza Jane Whitman, PE, LEED AP, ENV SP, Director of Public Works