VI. TRANSPORTATION / CIRCULATION

1. The project site’s construction entrance is located on Newhall Street, which connects with I-880 via Coleman Avenue. The substation’s operational entrance will be on Stockton Avenue. The project will require only occasional inspection and maintenance by PG&E personnel (once a month); these would have no net change in traffic in the long term.

   During construction of the project, the maximum number of workers at the site would be 12. Truck and worker commute trips to and from the site would increase during the four-month construction period. Due to PG&E’s proposed scheduling of single lane closures during weekday off-peak hours, the impact on traffic conditions on Newhall Street, Stockton Avenue, University Avenue, Chestnut Street, Asbury Street, and Coleman Avenue would be negligible. During operation, no workers would be permanently located on the project site and a PG&E electrician would inspect the substation once a month (PG&E, 1997). Traffic impacts that would result from the construction would be small and temporary, and operation of the substation would not generate daily traffic from PG&E staff. Therefore, the project would have no net increase to vehicle trips, and a less than significant impact on traffic congestion.

2. No impact related to traffic safety hazards from design features would occur.

3. Single lane closures would be coordinated with the City of San Jose. No impacts related to emergency access would occur.

4. The substation would generate no parking demand as no employees would work at the site on a daily basis. Therefore, no impact related to parking demand would occur.

5. The substation site borders along Stockton Avenue and Newhall Street include a sidewalk. Sidewalks also occur along portions of the power line route. No modification to the sidewalk or to any bike facilities would occur near the substation, but power line construction would affect pedestrians and bicyclists along the power line route. Pedestrian and bicycle safety measures shall comply with the measures implemented under the Work Area Protection and Traffic Control Manual, which would guide all construction work in the street rights-of-way. Therefore, there would be no impact related to hazards to pedestrians or bicyclists.

6. The project site would not create an appreciable demand for site visits. No conflict with transportation policies would occur; therefore, no impacts are anticipated (City of San Jose, 1994).

7. No waterborne or air traffic is located adjacent to the project site, and the substation project would therefore have no effect on these modes of transportation. However, both the proposed substation and the proposed power lines are located near CalTrain and AMTRAK facilities. Construction and operation of the substation would have no effect on rail facilities, and construction of the power lines would not disrupt rail traffic at the two locations where the proposed power line would cross CalTrain tracks. Work within the right-of-way would be conducted in accordance with the CalTrain Standards Manual (Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, 1994). Construction and operation of the power line would have no impact on rail facilities.

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