Northeast Corridor Light Rail Project – Draft EIS LYNX Blue Line Extension TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT CHAPTER ES.0 ES.1 ES.2 ES.3 ES.4 ES.5 ES.6 ES.7 ES.8 ES.9 ES.10 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Project Study Area...................................................................................................... ES-1 Purpose and Need for Action ..................................................................................... ES-1 Alternatives Considered ............................................................................................. ES-2 Summary of Transportation Impacts ......................................................................... ES-4 Summary of Environmental Consequences .............................................................. ES-5 Mitigation Summary ................................................................................................... ES-7 Financial Analysis and Investment Impacts............................................................. ES-21 Evaluation of Alternatives ........................................................................................ ES-21 Public and Agency Coordination.............................................................................. ES-23 Next Steps ............................................................................................................... ES-23 CHAPTER 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 PURPOSE AND NEED Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1-1 Corridor Description....................................................................................................... 1-2 Travel Demand and Transportation Deficiencies .......................................................... 1-8 Goals and Objectives .................................................................................................. 1-11 CHAPTER 2.0 2.1 2.2 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED Screening, Selection and Refinement Process ............................................................. 2-1 Definition of Alternatives ................................................................................................ 2-5 CHAPTER 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 TRANSPORTATION Affected Environment ................................................................................................... 3-1 Environmental Consequences .................................................................................... 3-15 Mitigation ..................................................................................................................... 3-36 CHAPTER 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 LAND USE, PUBLIC POLICY AND ZONING Affected Environment .................................................................................................... 4-1 Environmental Consequences .................................................................................... 4-14 Mitigation ..................................................................................................................... 4-20 CHAPTER 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS Affected Environment .................................................................................................... 5-1 Environmental Consequences ...................................................................................... 5-4 Mitigation ....................................................................................................................... 5-9 CHAPTER 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 NEIGHBORHOODS, COMMUNITY SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE Affected Environment .................................................................................................... 6-1 Environmental Consequences .................................................................................... 6-10 Mitigation ..................................................................................................................... 6-20 CHAPTER 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 VISUAL AND AESTHETIC CONSIDERATIONS Affected Environment .................................................................................................... 7-1 Environmental Consequences ...................................................................................... 7-3 Mitigation ..................................................................................................................... 7-12 Coordination ................................................................................................................ 7-12 Table of Contents TOC-i Northeast Corridor Light Rail Project – Draft EIS LYNX Blue Line Extension CHAPTER 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 CULTURAL RESOURCES Affected Environment .................................................................................................... 8-1 Environmental Consequences ...................................................................................... 8-2 Mitigation ....................................................................................................................... 8-6 Consultation ................................................................................................................... 8-6 CHAPTER 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 PARKLANDS Affected Environment .................................................................................................... 9-1 Environmental Consequences ...................................................................................... 9-4 Mitigation ....................................................................................................................... 9-7 CHAPTER 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 NATURAL RESOURCES Affected Environment .................................................................................................. 10-1 Environmental Consequences .................................................................................... 10-5 Mitigation ..................................................................................................................... 10-7 CHAPTER 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 WATER RESOURCES Affected Environment .................................................................................................. 11-1 Environmental Consequences .................................................................................... 11-5 Mitigation ................................................................................................................... 11-11 CHAPTER 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 AIR QUALITY Legal and Regulatory Context ..................................................................................... 12-1 Affected Environment .................................................................................................. 12-2 Environmental Consequences .................................................................................... 12-3 Mitigation ..................................................................................................................... 12-6 CHAPTER 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 NOISE AND VIBRATION Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment Guidelines .................................................. 13-1 Affected Environment .................................................................................................. 13-5 Environmental Consequences .................................................................................... 13-6 Mitigation ................................................................................................................... 13-11 CHAPTER 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 ENERGY USE Affected Environment .................................................................................................. 14-1 Environmental Consequences – Direct Energy .......................................................... 14-1 Environmental Consequence – Indirect Energy .......................................................... 14-2 Mitigation ..................................................................................................................... 14-3 CHAPTER 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 HAZARDOUS AND CONTAMINATED MATERIALS Affected Environment .................................................................................................. 15-1 Environmental Consequences .................................................................................... 15-2 Mitigation ..................................................................................................................... 15-5 CHAPTER 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 SAFETY AND SECURITY Affected Environment .................................................................................................. 16-1 Environmental Consequences .................................................................................... 16-1 Mitigation ..................................................................................................................... 16-3 CHAPTER 17.0 ACQUISITIONS AND DISPLACEMENTS 17.1 Acquisitions and Displacements .................................................................................. 17-1 17.2 Mitigation ..................................................................................................................... 17-5 TOC-ii Table of Contents Northeast Corridor Light Rail Project – Draft EIS LYNX Blue Line Extension CHAPTER 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 18.6 18.7 18.8 18.9 18.10 18.11 18.12 18.13 18.14 18.15 18.16 18.17 18.18 18.19 18.20 18.21 CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS Construction ................................................................................................................ 18-1 Construction Education and Outreach Plan ................................................................ 18-2 Construction Regulations ............................................................................................ 18-2 Construction Schedule ................................................................................................ 18-2 Construction Methods ................................................................................................. 18-2 Utilities ......................................................................................................................... 18-5 Transportation, Traffic and Parking ............................................................................. 18-6 Land Use, Community Facilities and Businesses ....................................................... 18-6 Displacements and Relocation of Existing Uses ......................................................... 18-7 Visual and Aesthetic Qualities ..................................................................................... 18-7 Neighborhoods, Community Services and Environmental Justice ............................. 18-7 Air Quality .................................................................................................................... 18-8 Noise and Vibration ..................................................................................................... 18-8 Natural Resources ..................................................................................................... 18-11 Water Resources ....................................................................................................... 18-11 Cultural, Historical and Archaeological Resources ................................................... 18-13 Parklands ................................................................................................................... 18-13 Energy ....................................................................................................................... 18-13 Hazardous and Contaminated Materials ................................................................... 18-14 Safety and Security ................................................................................................... 18-14 Mitigation ................................................................................................................... 18-15 CHAPTER 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 19.6 SECONDARY AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS Definition of Terms ...................................................................................................... 19-1 Affected Environment .................................................................................................. 19-1 Potential Secondary Effects ........................................................................................ 19-3 Potential Cumulative Effects ....................................................................................... 19-6 Commitment of Resources ........................................................................................ 19-10 Mitigation ................................................................................................................... 19-11 CHAPTER 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 20.6 20.7 FINANCIAL ANALYSIS LYNX BLE Northeast Corridor Light Rail Project Capital Costs .................................. 20-1 Sources of Funds for General Capital Funds .............................................................. 20-2 Sources of Fund for Corridor Capital Projects ............................................................ 20-3 Capital Investment Program ........................................................................................ 20-5 Operating Program ...................................................................................................... 20-8 Financial Projections ................................................................................................. 20-10 Forecast Risks ........................................................................................................... 20-12 CHAPTER 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVES Project Goals and Effectiveness ................................................................................. 21-1 Equity ........................................................................................................................... 21-6 FTA New Starts Criteria and Project Status ................................................................ 21-7 Summary and Significant Trade-Offs ........................................................................ 21-10 CHAPTER 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND AGENCY COORDINATION Scoping Process.......................................................................................................... 22-1 Public Involvement Program ....................................................................................... 22-1 Project Mailing Lists..................................................................................................... 22-7 Environmental Justice Outreach ................................................................................. 22-7 Agency Coordination ................................................................................................... 22-9 Continued Coordination, Required Permits and Agency Approvals ......................... 22-10 Table of Contents TOC-iii Northeast Corridor Light Rail Project – Draft EIS APPENDIX A: APPENDIX B: APPENDIX C: APPENDIX D: APPENDIX E: APPENDIX F: APPENDIX G: APPENDIX H: TOC-iv LYNX Blue Line Extension RESOLUTIONS AGENCY CORRESPONDENCE ACQUISITIONS AND EASEMENTS LIST OF PREPARERS DISTRIBUTION LIST GLOSSARY REFERENCES LEGAL AND REGULATORY CONTEXTS/METHODOLOGIES Table of Contents Northeast Corridor Light Rail Project – Draft EIS LYNX Blue Line Extension LIST OF TABLES EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Table ES-1: Summary of Environmental Impacts Table ES-2: Summary of Mitigation CHAPTER 1.0 Table 1-1: Table 1-2: Table 1-3: Table 1-4: CHAPTER 2.0 Table 2-1: Table 2-2: Table 2-3: Table 2-4: Table 2-5: Table 2-6: Table 2-7: Table 2-8: Table 2-9: CHAPTER 3.0 Table 3-1: Table 3-2: Table 3-3: Table 3-4: Table 3-5: Table 3-6: Table 3-7: Table 3-8: Table 3-9: Table 3-10: Table 3-11: Table 3-12: Table 3-13: Table 3-14: Table 3-15: Table 3-16: Table 3-17: Table 3-18: Table 3-19: Table 3-20: Table 3-21: Table 3-22: Table 3-23: Table 3-24: Table 3-25: Table 3-26: Population and Employment, 2008 and 2030 Corridor Travel Times (minutes) AM Peak, 2009 Goals and Objectives for the LYNX BLE FTA New Starts Criteria Alternatives Studied in Detail in MIS Bus Service in Northeast Corridor for No-Build Alternative Bus Service in Northeast Corridor for TSM Alternative Park-and-Rides in Northeast Corridor for TSM Alternative Proposed Stations for the Light Rail Alternative Proposed Stations for the Light Rail Alternative – Sugar Creek Design Option Bus Service in Northeast Corridor for Light Rail Alternative Capital Costs for the Light Rail Alternative and the Light Rail Alternative – Sugar Creek Design Option, 2009 Summary of System-Wide Operating and Maintenance Costs Study Area Daily Trips by Purpose and Orientation, 2009 and 2030 Regional Daily Person-Trips by Mode, 2009 and 2030 Operating Characteristics for Routes Serving the Northeast Corridor, 2008 Annual Ridership for Routes Serving the Northeast Corridor Northeast Corridor Routes Ranked by Schedule Adherence as Compared to System Average 2009-2015 NCDOT TIP Programmed Transportation Projects within the Northeast Corridor City of Charlotte CIP Programmed Improvements within the Northeast Corridor Planned Future Roadway Improvements within the Northeast Corridor, 2030 and 2035 LRTP Existing Daily Traffic Volumes, 2008 Existing Grade Crossings within the Northeast Corridor Proposed Projects with Bikeways within the Northeast Corridor Proposed Light Rail Headways by Service Period Comparison of Headways for Bus Routes by Alternative, 2030 Transit Travel Times (minutes) for Selected Trips, AM Peak Auto Travel Times (minutes) for Selected Trips, AM Peak Daily Transit Trips by Purpose, 2030 Comparison of Total Trips by Mode, 2030 Northeast Corridor Bus Ridership Summary by Alternative, 2030 Light Rail Boarding Projections, 2030 Light Rail AM Peak Hour Directional Loads, 2030 Comparison of VMT and VHT, 2030 Growth Factors North Tryon Street/US-29 Summary of Median Openings North Tryon Street/US-29 Median Opening Locations No-Build and Light Rail Alternatives, Delay and Level of Service by Intersection, 2030 Light Rail Alternative – Sugar Creek Design Option Delay and Level of Service by Intersection, 2030 Table of Contents TOC-v Northeast Corridor Light Rail Project – Draft EIS Table 3-27: Table 3-28: Table 3-29: LYNX Blue Line Extension Light Rail Alternative (Sugar Creek Park-and-Ride Option 2) – Delay and Level of Service by Intersection, 2030 Light Rail Alternative Rail Crossing Summary Light Rail Alternative – Sugar Creek Design Option Rail Crossing Summary CHAPTER 4.0 Table 4-1: Summary of Potential Impacts on Land Use Policies CHAPTER 5.0 Table 5-1: Table 5-2: Table 5-3: Table 5-4: Table 5-5: Table 5-6: Table 5-7: CHAPTER 6.0 Table 6-1: Table 6-2: Table 6-3: Table 6-4: Population, Housing and Employment within ½-Mile of Stations, 2009 Local Revenue Sources Projected Population, Housing and Employment within ½-Mile of Stations, 2030 Economic Effects of Construction Activity – Light Rail Alternative Economic Effects of O&M – Light Rail Alternative, 2030 Summary of New O&M Jobs Created – Light Rail Alternative Economic Effects of Construction Activity Light Rail Alternative – Sugar Creek Design Option Summary of Northeast Corridor Neighborhood Demographics and Quality of Life Index Community Services and Social Service Providers Communities of Concern within the Study Area Summary of Potential Impacts on Neighborhoods CHAPTER 7.0 Table 7-1: Summary of Potential Impacts to Visual Resources CHAPTER 8.0 Table 8-1: Summary of Potential Historic Resource Impacts CHAPTER 9.0 Table 9-1: Summary of Potential Impacts on Park and Recreation Facilities CHAPTER 10.0 Table 10-1: Federal and State-Listed Species in Mecklenburg County Table 10-2: Federally Endangered/Threatened Species in Mecklenburg County Table 10-3: Summary of Estimated Natural Resource Impacts CHAPTER 11.0 Table 11-1: Description of Jurisdictional Streams in the Study Area Table 11-2: Jurisdictional Wetlands Located Within the Study Area Table 11-3: Summary of Estimated Stream Impacts Table 11-4: Summary of Estimated Floodplain Impacts Table 11-5: Summary of Estimated Wetland Impacts CHAPTER 12.0 Table 12-1: NAAQS Attainment Status, 2009 Table 12-2: Existing Maximum Carbon Monoxide Concentrations at Intersections, 2009 Table 12-3: Maximum Carbon Monoxide Concentrations at Intersections by Alternative, 2030, Table 12-4: Comparison of Regional Emissions for the No-Build and Light Rail Alternative, 2030 Table 12-5: Light Rail Alternative Predicted Maximum Carbon Monoxide Concentrations at Parking Facilities, 2030 CHAPTER 13.0 Table 13-1: Ground-Borne Vibration (GBV) and Ground-Borne Noise (GBN) Impact Criteria for General Assessment TOC-vi Table of Contents Northeast Corridor Light Rail Project – Draft EIS Table 13-2: Table 13-3: Table 13-4: Table 13-5: Table 13-6: LYNX Blue Line Extension Noise Monitoring Results – Existing Noise Exposure Noise Impact General Assessment (2009) Category 1 and 2 Land Uses, Light Rail Alternative Noise Impact General Assessment (2009) Category 1 and 2 Land Uses Light Rail Alternative – Sugar Creek Design Option Needed Decibel Reductions for the Light Rail Alternative Needed Decibel Reductions for the Light Rail Alternative – Sugar Creek Design Option CHAPTER 14.0 Table 14-1: Comparison of 2030 Estimated Daily Energy Consumption Table 14-2: Comparison of Estimated Indirect Energy Consumption CHAPTER 15.0 Table 15-1: State and Federal Database Review Table 15-2: Items of Concern/Hazardous Material Sites, Light Rail Alternative Table 15-3: Park-and-Ride Station Items of Concern/Hazardous Material Sites, Light Rail Alternative CHAPTER 17.0 Table 17-1: Comparison of Property Acquisitions CHAPTER 18.0 Table 18-1: Summary of Mitigation Techniques During Construction CHAPTER 19.0 Table 19-1: Potential Secondary Project Effects Table 19-2: Mitigation Measures for Secondary Effects CHAPTER 20.0 Table 20-1: Capital Cost Estimate (Thousands of Year of Expenditure Dollars) Table 20-2: Light Rail Alternative Scenario ($-millions) Table 20-3: Light Rail Alternative – Sugar Creek Design Option Scenario ($-millions) Table 20-4: 2030 Characteristics of Financial Scenarios Table 20-5: CATS Sources of Capital Funding and Expenditures - Light Rail Alternative Table 20-6: CATS Sources of Capital Funding and Expenditures - Light Rail Alternative – Sugar Creek Design Option Year-of-Expenditure Dollars (Thousands) Table 20-7: 2000-2020 CATS Sales Tax Revenue (millions) Table 20-8: 2010-2030 CATS Operating Revenue and Expense Light Rail Alternative Year-ofExpenditure Dollars (Thousands) Table 20-9: 2010-2030 CATS Operating Revenue and Expense Light Rail Alternative – Sugar Creek Design Option Year-of-Expenditure Dollars (Thousands) Table 20-10: 2010-2030 Capital and Operating Summary Forecast Year-Of-Expenditure Dollars (Thousands) CHAPTER 21.0 Table 21-1: Comparison of Mobility Improvements Table 21-2: Comparison of Costs and Cost-Effectiveness Table 21-3: Summary of New Starts Criteria Ratings LYNX BLE Northeast Corridor Light Rail Project Table 21-4: Summary of the Proposed Alternatives versus the Project Goals CHAPTER 22.0 Table 22-1: Summary of Public Workshops Table 22-2: Citizen Meetings Table 22-3: Blue Line Extension (Northeast Corridor) Transitions Newsletter Distribution Table of Contents TOC-vii Northeast Corridor Light Rail Project – Draft EIS LYNX Blue Line Extension LIST OF FIGURES ABSTRACT Figure A–1: Northeast Corridor Project Development Process EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Figure ES-1: Light Rail Alternative – Locally Preferred Alternative CHAPTER 1.0 Figure 1-1: Figure 1–2: Figure 1–3: Figure 1–4: Figure 1–5: The Region Light Rail Alternative – Locally Preferred Alternative Centers, Corridors and Wedges Growth Framework Northeast Corridor Major Activity Centers 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan CHAPTER 2.0 Figure 2-1a: Figure 2-1b: Figure 2-2: Figure 2-3: Figure 2-4: Figure 2-5: Figure 2-6: Figure 2-7: Figure 2-8: Figure 2-9: Figure 2-10: Figure 2-11: Figure 2-12: Figure 2-13: Figure 2-14: Figure 2-15: Figure 2-16: Figure 2-17: Figure 2-18: Figure 2-19: Figure 2-20: Figure 2-21: Figure 2-22: Figure 2-23: Figure 2-24: Figure 2-25: Previously Considered Alignment Alternatives Previously Considered Alignment Alternatives Northeast Corridor – 2030 No-Build Bus Network Northeast Corridor – 2030 TSM Bus Route Network Typical Cross Sections with NCRR ROW & median of North Tryon Street/US-29 Typical Cross Section of Center and Side Platform 9th Street Station Site Plan Parkwood Station Site Plan 25th Street Station Site Plan 36th Street Station Site Plan Sugar Creek Station Park-and-Ride Option 1 Site Plan Sugar Creek Station Park-and-Ride Option 2 Site Plan Old Concord Road Station Site Plan Tom Hunter Station Site Plan University City Blvd. Station Site Plan McCullough Station Site Plan JW Clay Blvd. Station Site Plan UNC Charlotte Station Site Plan Mallard Creek Church Station Site Plan I-485/N. Tryon Station Site Plan Light Rail Alternative - Sugar Creek Design Option Sugar Creek Station – Sugar Creek Design Option Station Site Plan Old Concord Road Station – Sugar Creek Design Option Station Site Plan Vehicle Light Maintenance Facility Contingency VLMF Sites Northeast Corridor – 2030 Light Rail Alternative Bus Network CHAPTER 3.0 Figure 3-1: Figure 3-2: Figure 3-3: Figure 3-4: Figure 3-5: Figure 3-6a: Figure 3-6b: Figure 3-6c: Existing Northeast Corridor Bus Network Major Roads and Railroads Serving the Northeast Corridor Planned and Programmed Projects within the Northeast Corridor Bikeway Improvements within the Northeast Corridor Overall Corridor with Transportation Segments Grade Crossings – 2030 Light Rail Alternative Grade Crossings – 2030 Light Rail Alternative Grade Crossings – 2030 Light Rail Alternative TOC-viii Table of Contents Northeast Corridor Light Rail Project – Draft EIS CHAPTER 4.0 Figure 4-1: Figure 4-2: Figure 4-3: Figure 4-4: Figure 4-5: Figure 4-6: Figure 4-7: Figure 4-8: Figure 4-9: Figure 4-10: Figure 4-11: Figure 4-12: Figure 4-13: Figure 4-14: Figure 4-15: Figure 4-16: Northeast Corridor ½-Mile Land Use Districts 9th Street Station – Existing Land Use Parkwood Station – Existing Land Use 25th Street Station – Existing Land Use 36th Street Station – Existing Land Use Sugar Creek Station – Existing Land Use Sugar Creek Station (Design Option) – Existing Land Use Old Concord Road Station – Existing Land Use Old Concord Road Station (Design Option) – Existing Land Use Tom Hunter Station – Existing Land Use University City Blvd. Station – Existing Land Use McCullough Station – Existing Land Use JW Clay Blvd. Station – Existing Land Use UNC Charlotte Station – Existing Land Use Mallard Creek Church Station – Existing Land Use I-485\N.Tryon Street Station – Existing Land Use CHAPTER 6.0 Figure 6-1: Figure 6-2: Northeast Corridor Neighborhoods Map Environmental Justice and Transit Dependent Populations CHAPTER 7.0 Figure 7-1a: Figure 7-1b: Figure 7-2a: Figure 7-2b: Figure 7-2c: Figure 7-2d: Figure 7-2e: Figure 7-2f: Visual Resources in Southern Portion of Corridor Visual Resources in Northern Portion of Corridor Light Rail Alternative Grade Separations and Retaining Walls Light Rail Alternative Grade Separations and Retaining Walls Light Rail Alternative Grade Separations and Retaining Walls Light Rail Alternative Grade Separations and Retaining Walls Light Rail Alternative Grade Separations and Retaining Walls Light Rail Alternative Grade Separations and Retaining Walls CHAPTER 8.0 Figure 8-1: Historic Resources within the Northeast Corridor CHAPTER 9.0 Figure 9-1a: Figure 9-1b: Park and Recreation Facilities in Southern Portion of Corridor Park and Recreation Facilities in Northern Portion of Corridor CHAPTER 11.0 Figure 11-1: Figure 11-2: Figure 11-3: Watersheds Waters and Wetlands Floodplains and Regulated Floodways CHAPTER 13.0 Figure 13-1: Figure 13-2: Figure 13-3: Figure 13-4a: Figure 13-4b: Figure 13-5: Typical Noise Environments FTA Noise Impact Criteria for Transit Projects Typical Vibration Levels Noise Monitoring Sites in Southern Portion of Corridor Noise Monitoring Sites in Northern Portion of Corridor Noise and Vibration Impacts within the Northeast Corridor CHAPTER 19.0 Figure 19-1: Figure 19-2a: Figure 19-2b: Proposed Charlotte Region Railroad Infrastructure Improvements Development Projects in Southern Portion of Corridor Development Projects in Northern Portion of Corridor Table of Contents LYNX Blue Line Extension TOC-ix