Soto Street Widening Project-El Sereno
Channel: El Sereno Historical Society
Date: 2017-08-18

SOTO STREET WIDENING PROJECT-EL SERENO

Here are some facts of the project:

A 2nd Initial Study of this project is taking place.  The old 2009 Initial Study of this same project was thrown out because of its many deficiencies.

The Initial Study will be completed and available for public review in mid-September 2017.

The project manager, Gerry Hernandez, plans to file the 'Notice of Determination' at the end of November 2017.

Soto Street Widening is a $9,330,511 project expected to be completed in 2020 if all environmental factors/concerns are addressed appropriately. 

The Soto Street Widening Project will widen the roadway from Soto/Mission all the way to Soto/Multnomah Street by 30 feet.  To do this widening, the City plans to dig 30 feet into the hillsides along Soto, which means the removal of tons of soil.  Exactly how many cubic yards will be removed has not been released.

The proposed retaining wall on the east side of Soto will be 30 feet tall.

The project will result in 2 South-bound lanes and 2 North-bound lanes on Soto.  It will also include bike-lanes on the east and west side of Soto Street.  In addition, the project proposes to create and widen sidewalks on both east and west side of Soto Street.

CONCERNS:
The project area is from Soto/Mission all the way to Multnomah Street.  It is the 2nd project of three adjacent projects.
• 1st project was the Soto Street Bridge demolition and street configuration (almost complete).
• 2nd project is this Soto Street Widening.
• 3rd project is the Soto Street Bridge over Valley Blvd project that will begin after the Soto Street Widening is complete.

***Residents are concerned that these three “improvements” are really one large project that should require a complete Environmental Impact Report (EIR). ***

***Residents are also requesting 'Welcome to El Sereno" or blue "El Sereno" city signs on Soto, right before or after the bridge over Valley Blvd.  The Soto Street Bridge over Valley Blvd is the Gateway between Boyle Heights and El Sereno. ***

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