Sound Transit Long-Range Plan Update/SEIS Agency Scoping Meeting. November 8, 2013

Transcription

1 Sound Transit Long-Range Plan Update/SEIS Agency Scoping Meeting November 8,

2 Agency Scoping Meeting for the Long- Range Plan (LRP) Update/Supplemental Environment Impact Statement (SEIS) Introductions 2

3 Purpose of Today s Meeting Key goal to obtain input on the LRP Update and scope of the SEIS What alternatives, projects and services should be studied in the SEIS to update the LRP? Are there other major topics that could be addressed in the LRP/SEIS?

4 System Planning Schedule Sound Transit Board instructed staff to begin planning for next possible High Capacity Transit (HCT) system plan in December Work planning and contract procurement activities were conducted from January September Summer 2013 to Summer 2014 ST2 High Capacity Transit (HCT) Studies conducted in preparation for updating the LRP October 2013 to December 2014 Complete LRP Update & Supplemental EIS (SEIS) 2015 to 2016 Develop System Plan/Ballot Measure? (As directed by the Sound Transit Board) Projects and services that can be included in the LRP are not limited to the corridors explored in the ongoing HCT studies. 4

5 Long-Range Plan and SEIS Timeline (DRAFT) Scoping: October 25- November 25, 2013* Identify Alternatives to study: December 2013 Draft SEIS: January - June 2014* Draft SEIS Comment Period: July August 2014 Final SEIS: September 2014 November 2014 Adoption of the updated LRP: December 2014 Seek input on scope of alternatives to study in the SEIS. Seek input on goals and objectives. Public scoping meetings in each subarea. Agency scoping meeting Update the Goals and Objectives from the 2005 LRP. Review results of scoping with Sound Transit Board. Board review of alternatives to be studied. Examine alternatives based on Goals and Objectives Describe the benefits and adverse effects of the alternatives. Provide Planlevel supplemental environmental analysis of candidate projects. Draft SEIS available for public review. Opportunity for additional input and comment. Respond to comments received on Draft SEIS. Complete the Final SEIS. Sound Transit Board approves updated LRP. 5

6 HCT System Plan Process Updated demographics Review of current LRP LRP Update and SEIS Input from scoping results Input from Board LRP Update: Not matched to revenues 2015 System Plan Development Input from the ST2 HCT studies 2016? New HCT System Plan Funded Plan: System Plan matched to revenues 6

7 Background Information General Terminology What is HCT? the legal definition Ridership trends Demographic trends Planned/Funded expansion in the region HCT Corridor Studies (per ST2) 7

8 Terminology Long-Range Plan: The Long-Range Plan (LRP) is the Board-adopted vision for what a regional HCT system is, and how it should serve the region in the long term. It is financially unconstrained, and provides the source material for developing next set of capital investments to expand the existing system. Updating this plan is the Board s first decision point next year. HCT Corridor Studies: In 2008, the Board included a set of HCT Corridor studies in the ST2 Plan in order to lay the groundwork for future system expansion beyond ST2. They are intended to document HCT concepts in the region s primary travel corridors. Information generated by these studies will inform the Board s update to the Long-Range Plan. The studies are not meant to limit the Board s scope of review during the LRP update. System Plan: The system plan identifies the next increment of HCT expansion beyond the existing ST2 system. Sound Transit has had two HCT System Plans to date: Sound Move and Sound Transit 2. By law, the Board must consider multiple alternatives before taking action. Adopting a third System Plan is the final decision the Board would make prior to calling an election; as such, it would be the subject of a future ballot measure. 8

9 What is High Capacity Transit? "High capacity transportation system" means a system of public transportation services within an urbanized region operating principally on exclusive rights-of-way, and the supporting services and facilities necessary to implement such a system, including interim express services and high occupancy vehicle lanes, which taken as a whole, provides a substantially higher level of passenger capacity, speed, and service frequency than traditional public transportation systems operating principally in general purpose roadways. RCW

10 Ridership is Growing (millions of riders) 10

11 Demographic Trends 11

12 Demographic Trends 12

13 Link Light Rail Expansion through ST2 Over 15 miles of light rail with 13 stations currently in service system Tacoma Link: 1.6 miles in service plus expansion in planning First Hill Street Car mile system New Operations and Maintenance Satellite Facility

14 Sounder and ST Express Expansion Through ST2 Sounder Added trains between Downtown Seattle and Pierce County Lakewood extension completed Major study of station access (Puyallup and Sumner in PE and EA) Station Improvements Edmonds 2 nd platform Tukwila permanent station Mukilteo 2 nd platform Adding storage track, Yard and Shop under study Tacoma Trestle replacement ST Express Service enhancements on selected routes to meet demand New park-and-ride facility at Burien Operations and maintenance base under study Vehicle Purchases 14

15 HCT Corridor Studies High-level, technical and conceptual o Designed to provide information on possible options Focused on the purpose stated in ST2 o Inform the Sound Transit Board s consideration of potential updates to Sound Transit s Long-Range Plan 15

16 Potential LRP Changes 16

17 Current Long-Range Plan Goals Provide a public transportation system that helps ensure long-term mobility, connectivity, and convenience for the citizens of the Puget Sound region for generations to come Preserve communities and open space Contribute to the region s economic vitality Preserve our environment Strengthen communities use of the regional transit network How could these be changed for this LRP Update? 17

18 LRP Alternatives No Action Alternative: The existing LRP (updated to reflect projects in ST2) Action Alternative: Options for updating the LRP based on potential changes such as: o o o o New or modified HCT corridors o Corridors included in the HCT studies o Other corridors Specific technologies by corridor o Link Light Rail o Bus Rapid Transit or ST Express Bus o Sounder Commuter Rail Possible annexation of new areas to the District? Extending services beyond District boundaries? 18

19 Things to Consider Capitalize on Sound Move and ST2 Investments Supplemental EIS Expand RTA Boundaries Specify technologies by HCT Corridor Stay within existing ST modes Strategies for containing future O&M Costs Revisit previous ST Board decisions? Priority of the Spine? Spine as LRT? BRT on I-405? 19

20 Possible Project Types for LRP Update Examples include: Link system expansion Sounder expansion Service enhancements (all modes) Station enhancements In-fill stations System-Wide Improvements: Operations and maintenance base needs TOD strategies (beyond current programs) Parking management strategies at stations Station access improvements 20

21 Potential Changes: Policies and Programs Access improvements: Multi-modal access Parking strategies Costs of operation/maintenance Ops/maintenance facilities TOD Sustainability Others? 21

22 Which areas of impact should the SEIS focus on? Transportation/Transit Air quality/greenhouse gases Ecosystems Water resources Geology and soils Noise and vibration Visual effects Land use Energy Hazardous materials Public services and utilities Environmental justice Cultural, historic and archeological resources Parks Construction impacts Cumulative impacts 22

23 Next Steps Public Scoping meetings in November Results from Scoping in December Interagency Coordination Meeting: December 18, 2013 ( to follow) Continuing in

24 Upcoming Scoping Meetings Public Scoping Meetings: All meetings except Nov. 21 are from 5:30 to 8 p.m. with a presentation at 6:15 p.m. Seattle Tuesday, Nov. 12 Seattle University Campion Ballroom 914 E. Jefferson St., Seattle Federal Way Wednesday, Nov. 13 Federal Way Community Center 876 S. 333rd St., Federal Way Redmond Thursday, Nov. 14 Redmond Marriott th Ave. N.E., Redmond Tacoma Monday, Nov. 18 Tacoma Convention Center 1500 Broadway, Tacoma Everett Tuesday, Nov. 19 Eisenhower Middle School th Ave. S.E., Everett Seattle Thursday, Nov :30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Union Station, Sound Transit Boardroom 24

25 Questions? 25

26 Questions: Possible changes to goals and objectives of the LRP? Possible changes to services and projects? Possible changes to policies? New policies and projects? Are there issues requiring more in-depth review? 26

27 Thank you 27