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The traffic related effects of the proposed project were assessed by analyzing existing and future traffic operations at intersections that would serve project related travel.The intersections subject to analysis under the five traffic analysis scenarios are: 1)State Route(SR) 12 at Interstate 5(1-5)Southbound ramp; SR 12 at 1-5 Northbound ramp;and SR 12 at North Thornton Road/Star Street. In addition to these intersections,the analysis evaluated impacts on four freeway ramp junctions: 1-5 Northbound diverge to SR 12; 1-5 Northbound merge from SR 12; 1-5 Southbound diverge to SR 12; and 1-5 Southbound merge from SR 12. The Environmental Impact Report found that there are two significant and unavoidable traffic impacts associated with this project. All other impacts are less than significant or less than significant with the recommended conditions of approval and mitigation measures included in the Mitigation and Monitoring Program (Attachment D). 1. Impact 5.2 Freeway ramp junction operations, Existing Plus Approved Project(EPAP) Plus Project Conditions. Under existing conditions, the 1-5 SB Merge from SR 12 and 1-5 SB Diverge from SR 12 ramp junctions would operate at an unacceptable LOS D during a.m. peak hours,while the 1-5 NB Diverge from SR 12 ramp junction would operate at an unacceptable LOS D during p.m. peak hours. Project traffic would increase the density at these ramp junctions that already experience unacceptable LOS, which is considered a significant impact. Although widening the subject ramps to include an additional lane would alleviate the substandard operating conditions, both without and with the Project, it is uncertain that these types of interchange modifications would be implemented, since no transportation plan currently includes such improvements. Therefore, mitigation is infeasible, and this impact is considered significant and unavoidable. 2. Impact 6.3 Freeway ramp junction operations, Cumulative Plus Project conditions. Under Cumulative (2025) No Project Conditions,the 1-5 SB Merge from SR 12 and 1-5 SB Diverge from SR 12 ramp junctions would operate at an unacceptable LOS D during a.m. peak hours, while the 1-5 NB Diverge from SR 12 ramp junction would operate at an unacceptable LOS D during p.m. peak hours. Project traffic would increase the density at these ramp junctions that already experience unacceptable LOS, which is considered a significant impact.Although widening the subject ramps to include an additional lane would alleviate the substandard operating conditions, both without and with the Project, it is uncertain that these types of interchange modifications would be implemented, since no transportation plan currently includes such improvements. Therefore, mitigation is infeasible, and this impact is considered significant and unavoidable. Notably, the Project would increase traffic density by at most only 0.5 passenger cars per mile per lane from existing conditions, and by at most 0.4 passenger cars per mile per lane on the ramp junctions that would experience LOS D,which would not be anticipated to result in a noticeable effect to the facility operations. Nevertheless, since Project traffic would increase the density at ramp junctions that already experience unacceptable LOS;this impact is significant and unavoidable for both existing and cumulative conditions. Air Quality The original initial study prepared by the County did not identify any significant air quality impacts associated with the project. However, the initial study was challenged by the appellant, Pilot, on the air quality evaluation and specifically,with request to the need to analyze emissions from the idling of trucks. Such emissions contain diesel particulate matter(diesel PM), which is classified by the State of California as an air toxin. The EIR evaluated potential air quality impacts, including ozone and its precursors, carbon monoxide, air toxics, and particulate matter, including diesel PM emissions from all sources. Based on criteria derived from Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, a project may have a significant effect on air quality if it would; 1)conflict with or obstruct implementation of an applicable Air Quality Attainment Plan; 2)violate any air quality standard, or contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation; 3) result in a San Joaquin County PA-1 000131\Highway 12 Investors Community Development Page 5