The Expo Construction Authority has finally released the Final Environmental Impact Statement for Phase II of the Expo Line with some key changes. I'll spend more time reviewing the document and talking to some of the key players in the drama over the weekend and will be back with a longer story on Monday. But for those of you that can't wait to start talking, here are the key changes from the press release, which can be read in its entirety here. Or you can read the environmental documents in their entirety on the Expo Construction Authority Board website.
Meanwhile, here are the key changes from the Draft EIR per the Construction Authority's Press Release.
Inclusion of a design option that removes the park-and-ride lot at the Westwood station;
AMaintenance Facility design option which includes Santa Monica Collegeand Verizon properties with a 100-110 foot buffer, providing additionalprotection from the residential community to the south of the proposedfacility;
Accommodation of a continuous bikeway from the Phase 1 terminus to Santa Monica;
An additional grade separation at Centinela;
Addition of a 3rd northbound lane on Sepulveda for the at-grade crossing;
Inclusion of a design option for grade separation at Sepulveda if outside funding sources become available.