[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 193 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)] [Unknown Section] [Page 0] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 94-24691] [[Page Unknown]] [Federal Register: October 6, 1994] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Transit Administration Environmental Impact Statement for the Northeast Corridor Project in Dallas, TX AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in cooperation with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The EIS will be prepared following completion of a Major Investment Study (MIS) of transportation improvements in the Northeast Corridor of the Dallas metropolitan area. The MIS will conclude with the selection of a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for implementation in the corridor. The EIS will assess the potential impacts of the LPA, No Build and TSM alternatives. DART is working cooperatively with the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the US Department of Transportation (US DOT-FTA and FHWA), and the Cities of Dallas, Garland, and Rowlett to identify an affordable and cost- effective alternative for improving mobility in the corridor. The sequence of events for the planning and development for this project include the following major milestones: Scoping Process--early opportunity for public input to the study scope Major Investment Study (MIS)--evaluation of proposed improvement alternatives, early consideration of environmental factors, concluding with the selection of a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) LPA Refinement and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)--detailed definition of the LPA's physical features, assessment of potential impacts, development of mitigation measures, preparation and circulation of the Draft EIS, public hearings and completion of a Final EIS. Scoping will be accomplished through correspondence with interested persons, organizations, and federal, state, and local agencies and through public meetings. See the information below for further details. DATES: Comment Due Date: Written comments on the scope of the EIS and impacts to be considered should be sent to DART by November 2, 1994. See ADDRESSES below. Scoping Meetings: Public Scoping Meeting will be held on Monday October 3, 1994 and Wednesday October 5, 1994 starting at 7:00 p.m. in Garland and Dallas. See ADDRESSES below. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Jack Wierzenski, Project Manager, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, 1401 Pacific Avenue; Dallas, Texas 75266-7232. The Scoping meetings will be held at the following locations: 1. October 3, 1994 Garland Center for the Performing Arts, 5th and Austin, Garland, Texas 2. October 5, 1994 Lake Highlands High School (Student Center), 9449 Church Road, Dallas, Texas. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Peggy Crist, FTA Region VI; (817) 860-9663. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Scoping FTA and DART invite interested individuals, organizations, businesses and federal, state and local agencies to participate in defining the alternatives to be evaluated and identifying any significant social, economic, or environmental issues related to the alternatives. Comments on the appropriateness of the alternatives and impact issues are encouraged. Specific suggestions on additional alternatives to be examined and issues to be addressed are welcome and will be considered in the development of the final study scope. Comments may be made orally at the meetings or in writing not later than November 2, 1994. DART and NCTCOG staff will be present at the scoping meetings to describe the corridor alternatives, answer any questions and receive comments. Additional public meetings will be scheduled throughout the project to review results and provide input. Interested persons will be notified of project progress through ongoing community information distributed to the project mailing list which will include all scoping participants. Additional information on the EIS process, alternatives, and impact issues to be addressed by the study is contained in a ``Scoping Information Document.'' Copies of the document have been sent to affected Federal, State of Texas, local government agencies, and interested parties currently on record. Others may request the document from DART. See ADDRESSES above. II. Description of the Study Area and the Purpose and Need for a Corridor Improvement As part of the regional mobility planning effort, and as of June, 1994, DART initiated the process of updating the 1989 Transit System Plan. The Transit System Plan update effort has been coordinated with the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) Mobility 2010 Plan Update and is DART's strategic plan of services and facilities for meeting mobility goals. Elements of the plan currently being implemented include efficient delivery of bus service; construction of the 20-mile LRT Starter System; commuter rail in the Dallas/Ft. Worth RAILTRAN corridor; and, High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes. For the Northeast Corridor, DART's Draft System Plan contains recommendations for Intermediate Capacity Light Rail Transit; HOV lanes on I-635; a Travel Demand Management program; and, enhanced bus service. The Corridor includes portions of three cities in the DART service area : Dallas, Garland and Rowlett. The Corridor's southern boundary is Mockingbird Lane in the vicinity of the LRT station on the North Central line of the Starter System. The Mockingbird Station and the North Central line are currently under construction. The Corridor generally follows the MKT Railroad to the north and east. Skillman Road is considered the northwest study corridor boundary; Mockingbird Lane/ Northwest Highway/Garland Road form the southeastern boundary of the study area. The Corridor is approximately 15 miles in length from Mockingbird Lane to Rowlett Road in Rowlett. The corridor includes popular recreation and leisure spots such as White Rock Lake and Park, Ridgewood Park, and Lake Ray Hubbard. A significant industrial sector is located along I-635/LBJ Freeway where the MKT Railroad right-of-way is crossed by the AT&SF Railroad. Both railroad lines have active freight service. It is not anticipated that there will be significant new roadway construction to meet the increase in travel demand. The regional mobility plan for the area calls for a combination of modes including roadway improvements and investment in transit improvements such as light rail, commuter rail, HOV lanes, as well as TSM and TDM improvements. III. Alternatives Alternatives proposed for consideration include: No-Build--The No-Build Alternative consists of the Mobility Plan for 2010 as adopted by NCTCOG with the exception of improvements in the Northeast Corridor. TSM--The Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative includes all of the improvements included in the No-Build Alternative plus a number of low-to-moderate-cost travel efficiency and travel demand management (TDM) strategies. LRT--Light Rail Transit along the MKT Railroad corridor connecting with the LRT Starter System station at Mockingbird Lane and continuing to the Central Garland Transit Center in downtown Garland with a possible extension to a station in downtown Rowlett will be considered. Consideration is also being given to the concept of Intermediate Capacity Light Rail Transit, which is a staged implementation phase of the ultimate double track LRT alternative. The Intermediate Capacity LRT option would consist of a single-track LRT alignment along the MKT with passing sidings at key points. Commuter Rail--This alternative involves the use of the MKT Railroad right-of-way to provide service to the Garland and Rowlett areas. The commuter rail alternative is generally described in the NCTCOG 2010 Mobility Plan. This alternative would follow the MKT Railroad right-of-way from the Mockingbird Station to Garland with a possible extension to Rowlett. IV. Potential Impacts For Analysis The subjects and level of detail addressed in the EIS will be consistent with the requirements of the joint FTA/FHWA environmental regulations (Environmental Procedures for Project Development, 23 CFR 771 and 40 CFR 1500-1508) and other related regulations. The EIS will evaluate the following: local and regional economic concerns; transportation service including future corridor capacity; transit cost; transit ridership and effect on traffic movement community impacts, including land use, displacements, noise, neighborhood compatibility, and aesthetics; cultural resource impacts including impacts on historic and archaeological resources and parklands; natural resource impacts including air quality, wetlands, water resources, and wildlife; and transit financial implications. The proposed impact assessment and evaluation will take into account both positive and negative impacts, direct and indirect impacts, short term (construction) and long term impacts, and site specific and corridor wide impacts. Evaluation criteria will be consistent with all Federal, State of Texas and local criteria, regulations and policies. Mitigation measures will be identified for any adverse environmental impacts. Other potential impact issues may be added as a result of scoping and agency coordination efforts. Issued on: September 30, 1994. Scott E. Tuxhorn, Deputy Regional Adminstrator. [FR Doc. 94-24691 Filed 10-5-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-57-P