Eastern Sierra Corridor Enhancement Program US 395 & SR 14 Corridors in Kern, Inyo, and Mono Counties February 4, 2010 Prepared For: Kern Council of Governments Inyo County Local Transportation Commission Mono County Local Transportation Commission California Department of Transportation • Prepared By: Design Workshop LSC Transportation Consultants Par- Sierra Business Council tic- Dynamic Competence CURES TABLECONTENTS OF CONTENTS CORRIDOR MANAGE M ENT .......................................................................................1 The Corridor ....................................................................................................................................... 1 The Opportunity – Why a Plan is Needed ............................................................................................ 3 Complete Streets .......................................................................................................................... 3 The Vision ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Results of Previous Visioning Efforts ............................................................................................ 4 Results of Corridor Planning Workshops ...................................................................................... 5 BA C KGROUND INVENTORY ......................................................................................7 Corridor History and Culture .............................................................................................................. 7 Historical and Cultural Resources ................................................................................................ 7 Land Ownership .................................................................................................................................. 9 Environmental Resources .................................................................................................................. 14 Geology ...................................................................................................................................... 14 Wildlife ...................................................................................................................................... 15 National Forests and Wilderness ................................................................................................. 15 National Parks and State Parks .................................................................................................. 15 Water Resources ......................................................................................................................... 15 Scenic Resources ............................................................................................................................... 17 Visual Distance Zones ................................................................................................................ 17 Scenic Highway and Byway Designations .......................................................................................... 19 Tourism Resources.............................................................................................................................21 Destinations and Visitor Patterns ............................................................................................... 21 Corridor Guides and Organizations ............................................................................................ 22 Rest Areas and Viewpoints ......................................................................................................... 22 Signage ..................................................................................................................................... 23 Desire for Diversification ............................................................................................................ 24 Existing and Planned Transportation Conditions ............................................................................... 28 Existing Traffic Safety ................................................................................................................ 29 Current Plans and Projects ......................................................................................................... 30 Truck Traffic .............................................................................................................................. 32 Transit ....................................................................................................................................... 33 Bicycle and Pedestrian Activity .................................................................................................. 33 Community Main Streets ............................................................................................................ 34 Parking Management ................................................................................................................. 34 ENHAN C ING THE CORRIDOR EXPERIEN C E ...............................................................35 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 35 Corridor Theme ................................................................................................................................. 36 Community Opportunities ................................................................................................................. 37 Mojave ....................................................................................................................................... 38 California City ........................................................................................................................... 40 Johannesburg ............................................................................................................................. 42 Ridgecrest .................................................................................................................................. 44 Olancha and Cartago ................................................................................................................. 46 Lone Pine ................................................................................................................................... 48 Independence ............................................................................................................................. 54 Big Pine ..................................................................................................................................... 58 Bishop ........................................................................................................................................ 62 Mammoth Lakes ........................................................................................................................ 70 June Lake .................................................................................................................................. 72 Lee Vining ................................................................................................................................. 74 Bridgeport .................................................................................................................................. 78 Antelope Valley .......................................................................................................................... 84 Corridor-Wide Opportunities ............................................................................................................. 88 Transitions from Open Space to Communities ............................................................................ 90 Categories of Corridor Opportunities ................................................................................................. 92 • Eastern Sierra Corridor Enhancement Plan | i | Par- Table of Contents tic- TABLE OF CONTENTS IM AGE RESOUR C E LI B RARY .......................................................................97 Introduction ........................................................................................................................97 Gateway Signage .................................................................................................................98 Community Wayfinding Signage ........................................................................................102 Community Streetscapes ...................................................................................................103 Rest Areas and Viewpoints ................................................................................................107 Transportation Art ............................................................................................................108 Bike Facilities ....................................................................................................................109 Medians and Shoulders ......................................................................................................110 Concrete Barriers, Bridges, and Retaining Walls ................................................................111 Rock Cuts ..........................................................................................................................112 Wildlife Crossings and Fencing ..........................................................................................113