Contents. S. Executive Summary... ES Overview of Purpose & Need

Transcription

1 Contents S. Executive Summary... ES-1 S.1 Introduction... ES-1 S.2 Purpose of this Study... ES-3 S.3 Background... ES-6 S.4 Purpose and Need for Transit Investment... ES-10 S.5 Community Input Process... ES-30 S.6 Alternatives Identification and Evaluation Methodology... ES-31 S.7 Alternative Recommendations... ES-40 S.8 Transportation Impacts & Benefits... ES-54 S.9 Environmental Impacts & Benefits... ES-63 S.10 Financial Analysis... ES-71 S.11 Issues to be Resolved... ES-72 S.12 Conclusion... ES Overview of Purpose & Need Introduction History and Background Location Study Area History Past Studies Study Area Demographics Transportation Facilities and Services Regional Transit Context Transportation Facilities and Services in the Study Area Metro Rail Metro Bus Commuter Rail Performance of the Travel System Traffic Volumes and Operating Conditions Transit Operating Conditions Regional Objectives Project Purpose Major Themes Supporting Transit Needs in the Study Area Need for Transit Improvements Based on Current and Future Transit Conditions Transit Usage Regional Population and Employment Growth Significant Transit Dependent Populations in the Study Area i Final December 2008

2 1.8.5 Population and Employment Densities Travel Demand Justifies the Need for Transit Services Local Land Use Policies and Guidelines that Support Transit Potential Transit Markets Activity Centers and Destinations Local Redevelopment Plans and Transit Improvements Air Quality and Environmental Sustainability Travel Demand and Patterns Summary of Travel Markets Goals and Objectives Role of this Alternatives Analysis Study Alternatives Considered Screened and Selection Process Previous Studies MTA/ FTA Scoping Screening Criteria Evaluation Criteria Development Screening and Selection Process Definition of Alternatives for further Study No Build Transportation System Management At-Grade Emphasis LRT Alternative (Option A & B) Underground Emphasis LRT Alternative Station Locations Underground Station on Flower St At-Grade Station on Flower St Grand Avenue Station Split Station (City Hall) Underground Station on 2 nd St Optional Station o n 2 nd St Transportation Issues and Analysis Introduction Transit Analysis Existing Service No Build Alternative Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative At-Grade Emphasis LRT Alternative ii Final December 2008

3 3.2.5 Underground Emphasis LRT Alternative Ridership Roadway Analysis Parking Evaluation Summary of Transportation Analysis Conclusions Affected Environment and Environmental Issues Introduction Land-Use and Economic Development Affected Environment Regulatory Framework Existing Conditions Evaluation Methodology Environmental Issues Displacement and Relocation of Existing Uses Affected Environment Regulatory Framework Existing Conditions Evaluation Methodology Environmental Issues Community and Neighborhood Impacts Affected Environment Existing Conditions Transit Relevant Demographic Characteristics Evaluation Methodology Environmental Issues Visual and Aesthetic Impacts Affected Environment Regulatory Framework Existing Conditions Potential Impacts Evaluation Methodology Environmental Issues Air Quality Impacts Affected Environment Regulatory Framework Existing Conditions Evaluation Methodology Environmental Issues Noise and Vibration iii Final December 2008

4 4.7.1 Affected Environment Regulatory Framework Existing Conditions Evaluation Methodology Environmental Issues Ecosystems/Biological Resources Affected Environment Regulatory Framework Existing Conditions Evaluation Methodology Environmental Issues Geotechnical: Subsurface and Hazardous Affected Environment Geology and Subsurface Conditions- Geologic Features and Soils Hazardous Materials Evaluation Methodology Environmental Issues Geology and Subsurface Conditions Hazardous Materials Water Resources Affected Environment Regulatory Framework Existing Conditions Evaluation Methodology Environmental Issues Energy Affected Environment Evaluation Methodology Environmental Issues Historic, Archeological & Paleontological Resources Affected Environment Regulatory Framework Existing Conditions Evaluation Methodology Environmental Issues Construction Operation Paleontological Resources Parklands and Other Community Facilities Affected Environment Regulatory Framework Existing Conditions iv Final December 2008

5 Evaluation Methodology Environmental Issues Economic & Fiscal Impacts Affected Environment Existing Conditions Evaluation Methodology Environmental Issues Tax Revenue Impacts Construction Related Economic Impacts Constriction Related Employment Construction Spending on the Regional Economy Safety & Security Affected Environment Existing Conditions Evaluation Methodology Environmental Issues Pedestrian Safety Motorist Safety Security Construction Impacts Affected Environment Construction Methods General Construction Scenario Regulatory Framework Existing Conditions Evaluation Methodology Environmental Issues Growth Inducing Impacts Affected Environment Regulatory Framework Existing Conditions Regional Growth Projections PSA Growth Projections Evaluation Methodology Environmental Issues Environmental Justice Affected Environment Regulatory Framework Existing Conditions Sociodemographic Characteristics Public Participation Project Alignment Alternatives Screening Process Evaluation Methodology v Final December 2008

6 Environmental Issues Major Utilities Affected Environment Evaluation Methodology Environmental Issues Summary of Environmental Issues Financial Analysis Introduction Background Status of the Regional Connector Transit Corridor in Existing Long Range Financial Plans Description of the Alternatives Capitol Costs Capital Costs of the Alternatives Year of Expenditure Cost Analysis Potential Capital Revenue Sources Conceptually Proposed Funding Sources Conceptually Proposed Federal Sources Conceptually Proposed Local/State Funding Sources Other Potential Funding Sources Potential State Source Potential Financing Strategies Operations and Maintenance (O & M) Costs and Revenues O & M Costs O & M Revenue Sources Farebox Revenues and Farebox Recovery Operating Support from Metro Summary of Findings Community Outreach and Public Involvement Understanding of Public Outreach Challenges and Opportunities Community Outreach and Public Involvement Program Stakeholder Identification and Database Development Public Meetings Early Scoping Meetings Agency Early Scoping Meeting Public Early Scoping Meetings Overview of Comments Received Community Update Meeting Series # vi Final December 2008

7 6.4.1 Overview of Comments Received Community Update Meeting Series # Overview of Comments Received Additional Meetings Additional Stakeholder Outreach Meetings Little Tokyo Bringing Back Broadway Collateral Materials Meeting Notices Fact Sheets FAQs Project Website Project Information Line Media Relations (Print & Broadcast) New Media Comparative Analysis of Alternatives Introduction Approach Goal 1: Support Community Planning Efforts Initial Screening Criteria Final Screening Criteria Goal 2: Support Public Involvement and Community Initial Screening Criteria Final Screening Criteria Goal 3: Improve Mobility and Accessibility both Locally and Regionally Initial Screening Criteria Final Screening Criteria Goal 4: Support Efforts to Improve Environmental Quality Initial Screening Criteria Final Screening Criteria Goal 5: Provide a Cost Effective Alternative Transportation System Initial Screening Criteria Final Screening Criteria Goal 6: Achieve a financially Feasible Project Initial Screening Criteria` Final Screening Criteria Goal 7: Provide a Safe and Secure Alternative Transportation System Initial Screening Criteria Final Screening Criteria Summary of Recommendations Tradeoffs Between Alternatives vii Final December 2008

8 Appendices Appendix A References Appendix B Transit Lines Serving the Project Study Area Appendix C Bus Lines Serving both Union Station and 7 th St./Metro Center Station Appendix D Acronyms Appendix E List of Preparers viii Final December 2008