Chapter 1 - Caltrans - State of California

Chapter 1 Proposed Project
1.2.1 Alternatives
This section describes the proposed action and the design alternatives that were
developed by a multidisciplinary team to achieve the project purpose and need while
avoiding or minimizing environmental impacts. The alternatives considered are the NO
BUILD Alternative, the MINIMUM BUILD Alternative, and the FULL BUILD
Alternative. After the public circulation period, all comments will be considered, and the
Department will select a preferred alternative and make the final determination of the
project’s effect on the environment. In accordance with CEQA, if no unmitigable
significant adverse impacts are identified, the Department will prepare a Negative
Declaration (ND) or Mitigated ND. Similarly, if the Department, as assigned by FHWA,
determines the NEPA action does not significantly affect the environment, the
Department will issue a Finding of No SignificantImpact (FONSI) in accordance with
NEPA.
1.2.2 NO BUILD Alternative
The NO BUILD alternative provides a baseline for comparing the impacts associated
with the alternatives. The infrastructure in the project area would remain as it now exists
and congested conditions would continue to deteriorate. The NO BUILD alternative
would not result in any foreseeable adverse environmental impacts; however, this
alternative would not be consistent with Ventura and Santa Barbara County Congestion
Management Plans and the 101 In Motion Plan which recommended adding lanes and
implementing HOV lanes or the long-term objective of improving traffic congestion
because it would not improve the efficient movement of goods and services in the
vicinity of the project area.
1.2.3 MINIMUM BUILD Alternative
The MINIMUM BUILD Alternative includes the following project features:
• Construction of a 12-foot NB and SB High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane in the
existing median area from U.S. 101 (PM 39.8) in Ventura County to US 101 (PM 2.2)
in Santa Barbara County.
• Implementation of varying shoulder widths that could include sections with a
minimum of 2-foot wide inside shoulders and a minimum of 7-foot wide outside
shoulders.
• Closure of existing median openings at Mussel Shoals (PM 40.9), La Conchita (PM
41.4), and Tank Farm (PM 42.2).
12 IS/EA VEN-SB US101 HOV Project