• WHAT IS BEING PLANNED: The City of Santa Monica, in cooperation with Caltrans and the Federal Highway Administration, is proposing to reconstruct the structurally deficient California Incline to meet current seismic standards. The incline extends from the intersection of Ocean and California Avenues at the top of the Palisades Bluffs to State Route 1 (SR-1). The proposed project entails demolition of the existing structure and construction of a new incline at the same location. The new incline would be approximately 750 feet long and consist of a reinforced concrete slab structure with spans on the order of 44 feet. Overall width of the new incline would be 51 feet 8 inches, an increase of 5 feet 8 inches over the existing structure. The three 12-foot-wide vehicular lanes would be maintained; the proposed improvements would be designed to accommodate both pedestrians and bicyclists. Construction would also require the reconstruction of the upper and lower approaches to the California Incline at Ocean Avenue and SR-1, respectively. The new structure would be supported on pile bents founded below the unstable surface of the bluff. A new railing, similar to the existing concrete balustrade, would also be constructed. No lighting is proposed.
   

• WHY THIS NOTICE: This notice is provided to (1) inform you that the City of Santa Monica has prepared a draft environmental impact report/environmental assessment (EIR/EA), which describes potential environmental impacts of the California Incline Bridge Replacement Project, and (2) invite you to attend the scheduled public meeting/workshop to find out more about the project and comment on the draft EIR/EA. The proposed project could result in unavoidable significant adverse impacts to historical resources, land use plans (historic preservation policies), and air quality (construction only).

DRAFT EIR/EA WORKSHOP
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Multipurpose Room, Santa Monica Main Library
601 Santa Monica Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

• ABOUT THE WORKSHOP: The workshop will be organized in an open house format and provide an opportunity for the public to submit written and verbal comments on the draft EIR/EA. Experts will be available to answer questions on a variety of topics, including the California Incline Bridge Replacement Project, the environmental process, and environmental issues, including traffic.
   

• NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY: The draft EIR/EA and related documents are available for public review at the Fairview Branch Library, 2102 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405. Additional copies of the draft EIR/EA and appendices are available at the Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401; Montana Avenue Branch Library, 1704 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90403; and Ocean Park Branch Library, 2601 Main St., Santa Monica, CA 90405.
   

• HOW TO GET INVOLVED: Your comments will be made part of the public record, and all substantive comments on environmental issues will be addressed in the final EIR/EA. Written comments on the draft EIR/EA will be accepted through July 9, 2007. Please send comments to Eugenia Chusid, Civil Engineering and Architecture, 1437 4th Street, Suite 300, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Comments on the draft EIR/EA may also be sent via e-mail to Eugenia.Chusid@SMGOV.NET. For more information about the workshop, please contact Eugenia Chusid at 310-434-2618.

The Main Library is wheelchair accessible; to request another disability-related accommodation, please contact Margaret Talamantes at (310) 458-2201, Ext. 6338 or e-mail margaret.talamantes@smgov.net at least one week before the meeting date.