A plan for improvements on Valley Boulevard at Azusa Way on the west, Fairway Drive on the east, and at the intersection of Lemon Avenue is in the works.

The Industry City Council Thursday is expected to consider an environmental review for the Valley Boulevard widening project.  Valley, which is a principal east west arterial, currently has three westbound lanes but only two eastbound ones for the majority of the project area under review, Senior Planner Brian James said in the staff report.

Congestion on the eastbound side of the street partly is due to the lack of a continuous third through-lane, no dedicated right-turn lanes at the intersections of Valley and Fairway and Valley and Lemon, and no dedicated turnouts, James said.

“As it exists, Valley Boulevard does not have sufficient capacity for existing and forecasted traffic, and improvements are necessary to maintain the desired level of service standards,” he said.  “This issue is exasperated when trains block the north-south crossings and vehicles desiring to turn right stack up on Valley Boulevard.”

The project involves:

• Widening Valley Boulevard to provide a third eastbound lane from Hambledon Avenue to just west of Nogales Street and from just of east of Nogales to Valley and Lemon.

• Adding dedicated bus turnout lanes for existing stops at Giano Avenue, Yorbita Road, La Seda Road, Sentous Street and Morganfield Avenue.

• Modifying existing traffic signals at Giano, Sentous, Fairway, and Lemon.

• Providing improvements to the at-gate railroad crossings (including signage, pedestrian crossings and striping according to the California Public Utilities Commission required for a future quiet zone) at the southwest corners of Valley/Fairway and Valley/Lemon intersections.

• Removing the existing and constructing new pedestrian access ramps at the southwest corners of Valley/Fairway and Valley/Lemon.

• Improving the existing storm drainage by constructing new curb and gutter, curb openings, catch basins, and riprap lined swale. 

The environmental plan includes several mitigation measures related to potential environmental impacts. 

Those measures include taking soil samples prior to grading, requiring workers to wear respiratory protection and gloves throughout the construction period, drafting a pan to address traffic operations during construction activities, fitting all equipment with properly operating mufflers, air intake silencers, and engine shrouds, limiting construction to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and posting contact information.

The Industry City Council meets at 8 a.m. Thursday at City Hall, 15651 E. Stafford St.