Navigating NEPA Between St. Paul and Minneapolis Improving mobility Easing congestion Strengthening our communities
19 th Century Navigation 2
Early 20 th Century Navigation 3
Later 20 th Century Navigation 4
21 st Century Navigation 5
Today s Topics NEPA process Community outreach and engagement Key issues and resolution NEPA navigation tips 6
2006 2008 2009 2009 2010 2010 NEPA Process for Central Corridor LRT Draft EIS Supplemental DEIS Final EIS Record of Decision Environmental Assessment Finding of No Significant Impact 7
Community Outreach & Engagement
the multilingual staff of the designers & builders
Engage the Community Variety of Strategies Distribute monthly newsletters Maintain a website Sponsor public meetings Provide tours Attend community events Translate important information 10
Engage the Community Variety of Strategies 2,300+ meetings Advisory committees One-to-one Open houses Public hearings Community events and fairs 35,000+ citizens engaged 11
Draft EIS Route and Stations 15 new stations 43,000 weekday riders by 2030 $932 million estimated cost 12
University Ave. Looking West to Minneapolis 13
Supplemental DEIS 2008 Nine Key Issues Hiawatha/Central LRT connection University of Minnesota alignment Three potential infill stations State Capital Area alignment and stations Downtown St. Paul alignment Traction power substations Three car train requirements Vehicle maintenance facility Washington Avenue Bridge 14
University of Minnesota Alignment Alternatives Locally Preferred Northern Alignment 15
University of Minnesota East Bank Alignment in Tunnel (2007/early 2008) 16
Operation and Maintenance Facility Capacity 17
State Capitol Area Routes Studied in AA/DEIS Alt. 1 Alt. 2 Alt. 3 Alt. 4 Alt. 5 (LPA) Station Location 18
Washington Avenue Bridge 19
Final EIS Vibration Mitigation University of Minnesota Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) Electro Magnetic Interference University of Minnesota Airborne Noise Minnesota Public Radio State Capitol Environmental Justice 20
U of M Vibration Mitigation Typical embedded track Floating Slab w/ rubber support pads Floating Slab on rubber mat LRT/Bus Joint Operation 21
Minnesota Public Radio Broadcast Center Vibration Mitigation 22
MPR Vibration Mitigation Floating Slab Design
Hasselmo Hall Central Corridor University of Minnesota EMI Mitigation Shepherd Labs Tate Lab of Physics Smith Hall Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Mitigation System - 3,100 East limit of EMI mitigation Kolthoff Hall Amundson Hall Weaver - Densford Hall West limit of EMI mitigation Phillips- Wangensteen Building 717 Delaware 24
EMI Mitigation Primary Double Split Power Supply Installed on track guideway Keeps electricity flow largely isolated at track level to achieve cancellation 25
EMI Mitigation Secondary Active Cancellation Produces cancellation effect Proven performance with LRT Open design Installed around research equipment No modifications to room or building Adjustable to changing conditions 26
Minnesota Public Radio Airborne Noise Impact 27
State Legislature Airborne Noise Impacts 28
Environmental Justice People in Poverty 29
Environmental Justice Minority Population 30
Environmental Justice Foreign Born Population Africa Asia Africa Latin America 31
Environmental Assessment Added Infill Stations 18 new stations 41,000 weekday riders by 2030 $957 million budget 32
NEPA Navigation Tips Engage impacted stakeholders early and often Refine the defined project Identify mitigation measures 33
Project Schedule 2007 2009 2010 2014 Conduct Preliminary Engineering (PE) Complete Final Design Secure Letters of No Prejudice Begin heavy construction Contract for light rail vehicles Execute Full Funding Grant Agreement Start revenue operation 34
More Information Check out our website: www.centralcorridor.org Contact the Central Corridor Project Office: 540 Fairview Avenue North St. Paul, MN 55104 Comment Line: 651-602-1645 Email: centralcorridor@metc.state.mn.us 35