City Council

4.\nAUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH\nCALTRANS FOR THE PA&ED, PS&E, AND R/W PHASES FOR THE FREMONT\nAVENUE INTERCHANGE PROJECT – F2M19-32, C2M26-17, M2M26-46\nStaff requests the City Council authorize entering into a Cooperative Agreement, subject\nto review and approval by the City Manager and the City Attorney, by and between the\nCity of Alhambra and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to complete\nthe Project Approval and Environmental Document (PA&ED), PS&E (Plans,\nSpecifications, and Estimate), and Right-Of-Way (R/W) phases for the Fremont Avenue\nInterchange Project (Project). On March 2, 2026, the City of Alhambra received the\nCaltrans-approved PSR-PDS document for the Project. Approval of the PSR-PDS\ncompletes the project initiation phase and allows the Project to advance into the next\nstages of the Caltrans project development process, subject to execution of the proposed\nCooperative Agreement with Caltrans for the PA&ED, PS&E, and R/W phases. During the\nPA&ED phase, the City, in coordination with Caltrans, will continue refining the Project’s\npurpose and need, evaluating and developing alternatives, conducting technical studies,\nand coordinating with partner agencies and the community. The PA&ED phase is a critical\nstep in evaluating and refining alternatives that meet the Project’s purpose and need,\nincluding analysis of operational performance, safety considerations, environmental\nimpacts, and cost. The key activities associated with the PA&ED and PS&E phases are\nsummarized in the March 9, 2026 staff report by the Assistant City Manager and Director\nof Public Works & Utilities. As the Project advances into the PA&ED phase, project costs,\npublic and stakeholders input, environmental impacts, and technical data will be further\nevaluated. The phase typically begins with a kickoff meeting with the Project Development\nTeam (PDT). The kickoff meeting outlines roles and responsibilities and establishes\ncoordination procedures for the PA&ED phase. It also provides an opportunity to review\nthe project schedule, confirm technical study requirements, and discuss the anticipated\napproach for public outreach and stakeholder engagement.\nRecommended Action:\nCity Council authorize entering into a Cooperative\nAgreement, subject to review and approval by the City Manager and the City Attorney, by\nand between the City of Alhambra and the California Department of Transportation\n(Caltrans) to complete the Project Approval and Environmental Document (PA&ED),\nPS&E (Plans, Specifications, and Estimate), and Right-Of-Way (R/W) phases for the\nFremont Avenue Interchange Project (Project); and direct staff to undertake the steps\nnecessary to finalize the Council’s actions. (M2M26-46)