SR-22 West Orange County Connection

In August 2001, the Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (DEIR/EIS) was issued. Public hearings were held after the release of the DEIR/EIS, and the document was available for review at public libraries in cities along the corridor, and on the Department’s and OCTA’s websites. The Department received over 1,100 comments, most of which were concerned with air quality, noise, and community impacts, particularly effects on property values and removal of homes. Both build alternatives required acquisition of businesses and private properties. The Reduced Build Alternative would have displaced ten households and 26 businesses; displacements under the Full Build Alternative would have been 189 and 35 respectively.

In response to these comments, the Department has further analyzed multiple sections of the SR-22 corridor to refine right-of-way limits and reduce environmental impacts. Additional design modifications to the Full Build Alternative, as presented in the August 2001 DEIR/EIS, would avoid right-of-way acquisitions and reduce environmental impacts while maintaining the design standards.

Once the environmental documentation is completed with the filing of the Record of Decision and Notice of Determination, final design may begin. The Record of Decision, in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, will include any responses to comments that we may receive during the upcoming 45-day public review/comment period of the FEIS/EIR (to be announced at a further date).