Emergency Replacement of M46 West Oakwood Drive Bridge over Capinero Creek
Summary
SCH Number
2023050261
Public Agency
Tulare County
Document Title
Emergency Replacement of M46 West Oakwood Drive Bridge over Capinero Creek
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/10/2023
Document Description
Catastrophic floodwater flows during the week of March 6-12, 2023, resulted in complete washout of the former bridge on Mountain Road 46 (M46) West Oakwood Drive crossing Capinero Creek. The project is located approximately 25 miles southeast of Porterville in Tulare County, near the community of Pine Flat. The proposed project (project) is located off Pine Flat Drive, where West Oakwood Drive intersects and carries traffic over Capinero Creek. The former bridge served as the only access across Capinero Creek, a minor tributary of Deer Creek. The former bridge consisted of a 20-foot long by IS-foot wide paved, single-lane, single-span timber bridge supported on unreinforced masonry gravity type abutments. It is unknown when the bridge was originally constructed since no as-built information for this crossing is available. Prior to the catastrophic floodwater flows, the former crossing suffered from extensive degradation due to scour at the abutments and age-related deterioration. The former bridge also lacked standard road geometry and safety features. The proposed new, replacement bridge will consist of a precast prestressed (PC/PS) voided slab bridge with diaphragm abutments supported on pile footings. It will measure approximately 40-feet long by 19-feet wide and accommodate a 15-foot travel lane. The bridge alignment will be shifted approximately 11-feet northwest of the former bridge, in order to center the bridge within the current County right-of-way. The roadway approaches along M46 will be realigned approximately 50 feet from each end of the bridge limits to account for the shift in bridge alignment. The shift in alignment will also require minor right-of-way acquisitions and temporary construction easements. Additionally, some modifications will be required at private property access points and driveways to tie into the proposed roadway. New signage will be placed at the intersection of Pine Flat Drive and West Oakwood Drive to alert vehicles of a no turnaround access when crossing the bridge.
Contact Information
Name
Hector Guerra
Agency Name
Tulare County Resource Management Agency
Job Title
Chief Environmental Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Pine Flat
Counties
Tulare
Regions
Unincorporated
Cross Streets
Pine Flat Drive and West Oakwood Drive
Township
21S
Range
26E
Section
35
Other Location Info
The proposed project is located off Pine Flat Drive, where West Oakwood Drive intersects and carries traffic over Capinero Creek.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Declared Emergency
Type, Section or Code
Sec. 21080(b)(3); 15269(a) and (c)
Reasons for Exemption
This activity/project is intended and necessary to protect the health and safety of the public through construction of a replacement bridge crossing Capinero Creek along Mountain Road 46 (M46) West Oakwood Drive due to complete washout of the former bridge during catastrophic floodwater flows during the week of March 6, 2023. Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, § 15269 sets forth emergency projects that are exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). California Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency on March 4, March 8, and March 13, 2023 which include Tulare County. President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared an emergency for the State of California on March l 0, 2023 for California counties consistent with Governor Newsom's proclamations. Lastly, the Tulare County Board of Supervisors proclaimed a Local Emergency due to Winter Storms and Flooding March 9, 2023. The construction of the new replacement bridge falls within the scope of CCR§ 15269 (a) and (c) as it is a specific action necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency. Public Resource Code §21080(b)(4) also exempts the construction of the new replacement bridge from CEQA as necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency. As such, the activity/project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Title 14 California Code of Regulations,§ 15269. Therefore, the application of CEQA Section 15269 is applicable and appropriate for this project.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Class 2 Section 1S302 Replacement or Reconstruction
Reasons for Exemption
This activity/project is intended and necessary to protect the health and safety of the public through construction of a replacement bridge crossing Capinero Creek along Mountain Road 46 (M46) West Oakwood Drive due to complete washout of the former bridge during catastrophic floodwater flows during the week of March 6, 2023. Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, § 15269 sets forth emergency projects that are exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). California Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency on March 4, March 8, and March 13, 2023 which include Tulare County. President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared an emergency for the State of California on March l 0, 2023 for California counties consistent with Governor Newsom's proclamations.
County Clerk
Tulare
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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