Discussion

Caltrans proposes to widen SR 101 to an 8-lane freeway. The proposed improvements require widening of the Camarillo OH/SEP in both directions to accommodate eight mixed-flow lanes, auxiliary lanes and outside shoulders. The widened structure will provide southerly SR 101 with a 9.84-foot right shoulder, a 11.81-foot ramp lane, a variable gore area, four 11.81-foot traffic lanes and a 9.84-foot left shoulder. Northerly SR 101 will have a 21.65-foot right shoulder, a 11.81-foot ramp lane, a variable gore area, four 11.81-foot traffic lanes, and a 9.84-foot left shoulder, as viewed in the direction of traffic. The widened structure will match the existing structure with precast prestressed "I" girders in span #5 above the railroad tracks and cast-in-place reinforced concrete "T" girders in the other spans. The minimum vertical clearance over the railroad tracks is 23.0 feet. The horizontal clearances will be the same as the existing Camarillo OH/SEP existing clearances, which are 26.63 feet from centerline of the westerly tracks to the face of column on bent #6 and 24.96 feet from centerline of easterly tracks to the face of column on bent #5.

The existing Camarillo Pedestrian Overhead (Camarillo POH) carries pedestrian traffic over the UP tracks between SR 34 and North Dawson Drive. The proposed widening of Camarillo OH/SEP requires the removal and relocation of the existing Camarillo POH to north of the proposed Camarillo OH/SEP. Falsework traffic opening over the railroad tracks will be 31.5 feet wide and 20.5 feet high. The minimum vertical clearance required over the rail tracks is 23.5 feet. The horizontal clearances will be the same as the existing Camarillo OH/SEP clearances specified above.

The site of the proposed project is within a commercial and industrial area in the City of Camarillo above the northerly terminus of a passenger rail station. The rail station provides Amtrak intercity service between the San Francisco Bay and Los Angeles metropolitan areas and Metrolink commuter train passenger train service between Oxnard (in Ventura County) and Los Angeles Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. The average daily traffic (year 1998) on SR 101 was 125,000 vehicles. The daily train counts are 12 UP freight trains and 10 Amtrak and 4 Metrolink passenger trains at the present time.

Caltrans is the lead agency for this project under California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 (CEQA), as amended, Public Resources (PR) Code Sections 21000, et. seq. Caltrans prepared an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for the project of which Camarillo OH/SEP and Camarillo POH are a part. On February 4, 1997, Caltrans filed its Final EIR approving this project. Caltrans determined "The project will not have a significant effect on the environment."
The Commission is a responsible agency for this project under CEQA and has independently reviewed and assessed the lead agency's Final EIR and EA. The existing Camarillo OH/SEP and Camarillo POC have been inspected by the Commission's Rail Safety and Carriers Division - Rail Crossings Engineering Section staff. Staff examined the need for and the safety of the proposed widened Camarillo OH/SEP and relocated Camarillo POH and recommends that approval be granted.

The application was found to be in compliance under the Commission's filing requirements, including Rule 39 of Rules of Practice and Procedure, which relates to the widening, relocation, and alteration of existing crossings and separations over railroad track. A site map and detailed drawings of the proposed Camarillo OH/SEP and Camarillo POH are shown in Appendix A attached to this order.

In Resolution ALJ 176-3049, dated October 19, 2000 and published on the Commission Daily Calendar on October 20, 2000, the Commission preliminarily categorized this application as ratesetting, and preliminarily determined that hearings were not necessary. Since no hearings were held, this preliminary determination remains accurate. The Commission's Rail Safety and Carriers Division recommends that this application be granted. Given these developments, public hearing is not necessary, and it is not necessary to disturb the preliminary determinations made in Resolution ALJ 176-3049.

This is an uncontested matter in which the decision grants the relief requested. Accordingly, pursuant to Public Utilities Code Section 311 (g) (2), the otherwise applicable 30-day period for public review and comment is being waived.