Board adopts CEQA addendum for South Main/Soda Bay widening; approves narrow exceptions to utility undergrounding
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Summary
The board adopted an addendum to the 2012 environmental review for the South Main‑Soda Bay widening and bike‑lane project (including nighttime construction analysis) and approved a measured amendment to an existing underground utilities district to allow two above‑ground utility poles at locations where cultural resources or ROW constraints make undergrounding impracticable.
The Board adopted an addendum Nov. 18 to the project’s earlier environmental document, concluding that proposed nighttime construction and other modest project refinements would not create new significant environmental impacts. County planners and public works staff said the project’s NEPA documentation had been revalidated by Caltrans and that key permits (Army Corps 404, RWQCB 401 and an imminent CDFW stream‑alteration agreement) were in hand.
Why it matters: The corridor improvement — road widening, undergrounding of utilities and bike lanes — has been in development for many years. The county is pursuing phased funding, and the California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocation process requires the preconstruction work and design be certified on a defined timeline in order to access about $10.5 million in State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) funds.
Utility district amendment: Staff recommended and the board approved a resolution amending the 2001 underground utilities district to permit two very limited exceptions where undergrounding would either disturb sensitive cultural resources or require substantial additional right‑of‑way that would delay the project and jeopardize construction funding. Public works said design is roughly 99% complete and right‑of‑way acquisitions nearly finished; staff expects undergrounding work to begin in mid‑2026 with road construction to follow.
Public comment: City and community representatives supported moving forward but asked staff to post maps and continue coordination with municipal partners. County staff pledged to do further outreach and to post detailed maps with the next agenda.
Next steps: Staff will submit materials for the CTC allocation cycle and continue utility coordination and right‑of‑way closures; adopted mitigation measures and monitoring remain enforceable and unchanged.