SOUTHWEST CORRIDOR EXTENSION. Environmental Evaluation and Basic Engineering Results PUBLIC MEETING/OPEN HOUSE November 18, 2009

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1 SOUTHWEST CORRIDOR EXTENSION Environmental Evaluation and Basic Engineering Results PUBLIC MEETING/OPEN HOUSE November 18, 2009

2 AGENDA I. Welcome/Introductions II. Project Review and Status III. Environmental Evaluation and Basic Engineering Results IV. Questions/Issues Discussion

3 PROJECT BACKGROUND Project Overview Extends Southwest light rail by 2.5 miles from Mineral Avenue into Highlands Ranch New end-of-line station at C-470/ Lucent Boulevard with 1,000 space parkn-ride Potential Intermediate Station at SE corner of C-470/US 85 (not in FasTracks Plan) 2000: Southwest Corridor Light Rail service opened Extension of C & D lines

4 PROJECT OBJECTIVES Project Overview 1. Environmental Objectives Provide Environmental Evaluation using RTD Environmental Methodology Manual guidance Conduct process comparable to EA - Conform to NEPA and associated regulations - Consistent treatment for FasTracks corridors 2. Engineering Objectives Deliver Basic Engineering (30% design) for alignment and stations

5 Project Overview PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT SUMMARY 3. Public Outreach: Public meetings 3 meetings Small group meetings 200 total attendees Newsletters 3 published News media Three rounds of ads in 5 local papers (50,000 circulation) Project web site via FasTracks

6 PROJECT SCHEDULE Project Overview Fall/Winter Purpose & Need Data Collection Fall 2009 Draft EE Potential Effects & Proposed Mitigation We are here Field Investigations Public Meeting #3 Public Meeting #1 Final Grade Separation Plans RTD Board Approval Spring 2009 Project Definition Affected Environment Public Meeting #2 Conceptual Engineering (10% Design) Winter 2009 Final EE Final Mitigation Measures Basic Engineering Complete (30% Design)

7 PROJECT ALIGNMENT Light Rail Alignment Runs south from Mineral between railroads and South Santa Fe, turns east after crossing C-470 Elevated on structure to span County Line Road, both railroads, C-470, and CDOT s proposed flyover Maintains doubletracked configuration Mineral Ave: Light Rail Expanded Bridge County Line Rd/ Freight Rail/ C-470: Light Rail Flyover Erickson Blvd: Light Rail Bridge High Line Canal trail and C-470 trail will be retained and open

8 LUCENT/C-470 STATION Light Rail Stations New end-of-line station, 1000 parking spaces

9 INTERMEDIATE STATION Light Rail Stations 400 parking spaces (Impacts studied but not part of FasTracks Program)

10 FASTRACKS PROGRESS UPDATE FasTracks Update All FasTracks projects on-track to be SHOVEL-READY by November 2010 including Southwest Corridor Extension

11 Environmental Evaluation WHAT IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION? Environmental Evaluation (EE) is RTD s planning approach to include: Conformance with NEPA and associated regulations Ensure equal treatment of all FasTracks corridors With no federal funding, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is not required. RTD Board Approves EE and makes mitigation commitments

12 CONTENTS OF EE Environmental Evaluation Chapter 1 Purpose and Need Purpose - Extend SW Corridor transit service to Highlands Ranch Need - Address development and growth, improve local and regional travel options, provide a reliable alternative to the automobile, and meet the 2004 voter mandate Chapter 2 Alternatives Considered No Action and Build Alternative - based on earlier studies Chapter 3 - Affected Environment, Impacts and Mitigation Chapter 4 - Transportation Impacts and Mitigation Chapter 5 Public Comments and Coordination

13 RESOURCES ANALYZED IN EE Environmental Evaluation 1. Land Use, Zoning & Farmland 2. Social Impacts and Community Facilities: (including Environmental Justice) 3. Economic Development 4. Land Acquisition & Relocations 5. Cultural Resources 6. Visual and Aesthetic Resources 7. Parklands, Recreational Resources 8. Air Quality and Energy 9. Noise and Vibration 10. Biological Resources: Vegetation, Wildlife, TES 11. Natural Resources: Mineral Resources/ Geology/Soils, Water Resources & Water Quality, Floodplains & Drainage/Hydrology, Waters of the U.S. including Wetlands 12. Hazardous Materials 13. Public Safety and Security 14. Utilities Direct, Indirect, Construction, and Cumulative Impacts were assessed for each resource.

14 IMPACTS DISCUSSION Environmental Evaluation Project impacts: Positive or beneficial No impacts Impacts mitigated by standard best management practices during design and construction (BMPs) Impacts that require project specific mitigation

15 PROJECT BENEFITS Environmental Evaluation Project Benefits Land Use, Zoning Economic Development Air Quality And Energy Transportation - Extended Service - Additional park-n-ride Spaces - Reduced VMT and VHT Supports FasTracks Vision

16 RESOURCES WITH NO IMPACTS Environmental Evaluation No Impacts Farmland Social Impacts and Community Facilities (Including Environmental Justice) Cultural - Archaeological and Paleontological (Unexpected finds possible) Noise and Vibration Standard Construction Impact Mitigation When Required Federal Threatened and Endangered Species or Habitats Hazardous Materials Transportation (Including Traffic, Parking Demand)

17 BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMP) MIGITATION Environmental Evaluation BMP Mitigation Land Acquisition and Relocations - All right-of-way needs will be met through coordination with the UPRR and BNSF railroads, CDOT, Douglas County, Highlands Ranch Metro District, Denver Water, and Shea Homes. Natural Resources - Mineral Resources/Geology and Soils - Geotechnical impacts, including soil erosion Natural Resources - Water Resources and Water Quality - Increased runoff and mass loading - Destruction of vegetation Safety and Security - Station Area and On-Board Crime - Operations will not increase or decrease crime rates. Safety and Security - Public Services: Police, Fire and Emergency - Coordination for at-grade crossings Utilities - 40 potential impacts Transportation - Grade separated crossings at roadways and railroads

18 Environmental Evaluation Project Specific Impacts and Mitigation VISUAL AND AESTHETIC RESOURCES No change in overall visual quality of corridor. Along South Santa Fe, new transit elements provide continuation of elements already in corridor. South of C-470, flyover and new transit elements provide slight increase in urbanization of view. Minor impacts to viewers from additional new visual elements. Mitigation Work with Developer and Community

19 Environmental Evaluation Project Specific Impacts and Mitigation CULTURAL RESOURCES - HISTORIC Removal of Denver & Rio Grande Railroad trestle Realignment of approximately 3,900 feet Denver & Rio Grande Railroad (now UPRR) SHPO and Native American Consultation may be required to support the Section 404 related to Lower Dad Clark Gulch (wetlands and waters of the U.S.) Suggested Mitigation Level II Recordation

20 Environmental Evaluation Project Specific Impacts and Mitigation PARKLANDS AND RECREATIONAL RESOURCES Extension of the High Line Canal Trail underpass culvert at Plaza Drive by approximately 55 feet. Widening of the C-470 Trail to accommodate Denver Water maintenance vehicles. Proximity impacts to trails and Fly n B Park Mitigation - Upgraded trail paving and signage to ensure user safety - Highline Canal and Trail Mitigation as coordinated with Denver Water Due to the multi-modal status of the C-470 commuter trail, access will be maintained at all times.

21 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES Environmental Evaluation Project Specific Impacts and Mitigation Vegetation - Permanent loss of 20 acres of vegetation (24 acres with Intermediate Station) - Minimal construction impacts temporary loss of 22 acres of vegetation. Wildlife - Nesting surveys and tree removal under MBTA for migratory birds - Displacement of prairie dogs (State Species of Special Concern) Mitigation BMPs, Noxious Weed Plan, Prairie Dog Relocation or Donation

22 NATURAL RESOURCES Environmental Evaluation Project Specific Impacts and Mitigation Floodplains and Drainage/Hydrology - 6 new piers added in Lower Dad Clark Gulch 100-year floodplain; 3 piers removed. Wetlands and Waters of the U.S. - Approximately 0.24 acre of permanent and temporary impacts to waters of the U.S. and wetlands Mitigation Standard BMPs, Complete Detention and Water Quality Treatment in Accordance with the UDFCD and Local Jurisdictions,Utilize Wetland Bank

23 HOW TO STAY CONNECTED Public Input Web site: click on Southwest Corridor NEW Interactive Web Site Access RTD-FasTracks Hotline: and follow prompts

24 THANK YOU FOR COMING TO TONIGHT S MEETING!