Environmental Assessment

Transcription

1 Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) Route 440 Extension Environmental Assessment Project Sponsor: Prepared by: AKRF, Inc. BEM Systems, Inc. Gannett Fleming Inc. InGroup, Inc. Richard Grubb & Associates, Inc. Techniquest Corporation September 2013

2 Table of Contents Executive Summary... S-1 Chapter 1: Project Identification and Purpose and Need Introduction Purpose and Need Project Background Future Development Plans Mobility Needs Transit Service Needs Pedestrian Safety Needs Goals and Objectives Chapter 2: Project Alternatives Introduction Existing HBLR System Preferred Alternative Description of the Preferred Alternative New Viaduct Structure from West Side Avenue Station to Bayfront Station Modifications to Existing West Side Avenue Station and Parking Lot New Bayfront Station Property Interests Operations Cost Completion Year No Action Alternative Other Alternatives Considered Chapter 3: Environmental Considerations Introduction Social Conditions Land Use Zoning Public Policy Displacement and Relocation Community Facilities and Services Parklands and Open Space Visual Resources Population and Employment TOC-1 September 2013

3 HBLR Route 440 Extension Environmental Assessment Conclusions Historic Resources Archaeological Resources Historic Architectural Resources Transportation Traffic Parking Hblr Operations Pedestrian Circulation and Accessibility Air Quality, Energy, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Noise and Vibration Infrastructure Hazardous Materials Natural Resources Geology, Topography, and Soils Water Quality Floodplains Wetlands Coastal Zone Consistency Vegetation and Wildlife Habitat Threatened and Endangered Species Construction Impacts Description of Construction Activities Traffic Utility Relocation Water Quality Air Quality Noise and Vibration Safety and Security Commitment of Resources Indirect Effects and Cumulative Impacts Chapter 4: Environmental Justice Introduction Methodology Delineation of the Study Area Identification of Environmental Justice Populations Identification of Disproportionate Adverse Effects Public Participation Chapter 5: Public Participation Introduction Regulatory Process Agencies Consulted Public Involvement Program Development of Mailing List September 2013 TOC-2

4 Table of Contents Coordination Meetings Targeted Resident Meetings Tac Meetings Public Meetings Outreach Materials Section 106 Coordination Environmental Justice Contact Information Chapter 6: List of Preparers SECTION 4(F) EVALUATION PROGRAMMATIC AGREEMENT APPENDIX A: CULTURAL RESOURCES CORRESPONDENCE APPENDIX B: TRAFFIC COUNTS AND RIDERSHIP PROJECTIONS APPENDIX C: NOISE AND VIBRATION APPENDIX D: NATURAL RESOURCES TOC-3 September 2013

5 List of Tables S-1 Goals and Objectives... S-2 S-2 Summary of Environmental Considerations... S Goals and Objectives Noise Receptor Sites and Existing Noise Levels Noise Impact Evaluation Vibration Impact Evaluation Sites Identified for Further Investigation Conceptual Construction Sequence and Duration TOC-4 September 2013

6 List of Figures S-1 Project Location S-2 Preferred Alternative Conceptual Plan Overview 1-1 Project Location 1-2 Western Waterfront Future Development 2-1 Hudson-Bergen Light Rail System Map 2-2 Preferred Alternative Conceptual Plan Overview 2-3 Preferred Alternative Conceptual Plan West Side Avenue Station 2-4 Preferred Alternative Conceptual Plan West Side Avenue to Mallory Avenue 2-5 Preferred Alternative Conceptual Plan Mallory Avenue to Route Preferred Alternative Conceptual Plan Route 440 to Bayfront 2-7 Preferred Alternative Conceptual Plan Bayfront Station 3-1 Existing Land Use 3-2 Study Area Land Uses 3-3 Future Land Use 3-4 Existing Zoning 3-5 Existing and Proposed Publicly Accessible Open Space 3-6 APE Archaeology 3-7 Areas of Archaeological Sensitivity 3-8 APE Architecture 3-9 Photographs 3-10 Noise Receptor Locations 3-11 Properties Evaluated in Hazardous Materials Assessment 3-12 Floodplains 3-13 Historic Floodplains 3-14 USGS Hurricane Sandy Storm Tide Mapper 3-15 Wetlands Mapped by National Wetlands Inventory and NJDEP 4-1 Environmental Justice Study Area TOC-5 September 2013