LRT Line to Irving/DFW Public Meeting No. 1 Project Overview January 21, 2004
Agenda Purpose Corridor Background Environmental Impact Assessment Public Involvement Plan Project Schedule
Purpose Project Status Receive Feedback* Alignment Station Locations Suggestions/Questions/Concerns (*Oral Comments, Comment Cards)
Corridor History 1983: NW Corridor in DART Final Service Plan 1989: DART Transit System Plan (TSP) includes rail to North Irving 1995: DART TSP-Rail To N. Irving TC 2000: NW Major Investment Study (MIS) Locally Preferred LRT Alternative 2000: TSP Revised to MIS Alternative 2002: DFW Rail Access Study 3 LRT Alternatives
NW to Irving/ DFW DART s 1983 Service Plan
NW to Irving/DFW DART s 1989 Transit System Plan
NW to Irving/DFW DART s 1995 Transit System Plan
Major Investment Study (MIS) Locally Preferred Investment Strategy Rail, Highway/HOV, TSM/CMS Components Adopted by DART Board February 22, 2000 (Res. No. 000034) Supported by Irving City Council Resolution No. 11-18-99-536
MIS LRT Rail Components: NW Corridor to Farmers Branch and Carrollton NW Corridor
NW to Irving/DFW DART s Current Transit System Plan
Corridor Developments MIS Alignment Conflicts SH 161 Future Expansion of SH 114 New Development Along SH 114 Future Airport Expansion Results Limited Right-of-Way, Limited Station Sites, Station Access Issues, Additional Aerial Structure, Several Highway Crossings, Significant Relocations and Displacements, Potential Highway Realignment MIS Alignment may no longer be a cost affordable, viable alternative
NW to Irving/DFW
NW to Irving/DFW DFW Access Study Rail Planning and Implementation MIS December 18, 2002 3 LRT Alternatives (Red)
Alignment Opportunities Direct Access to DFW Terminals 3 Airport Access Alternatives provide new areas for alignment consideration Serve Additional Irving Activity Centers (Verizon, North Lake College, Residential) Transit Oriented/Economic Development Potential
Environmental Impact Assessment Process Alignment Refinement Station Location Conceptual Engineering Environmental Analysis
Alignment Refinement Corridor does not have existing Railroad Right-of-Way Options include: Street Right-of-Way Highway Right-of-Way Utility Right-of-Way Airport Property Property Acquisition
NW Alternative Alignments
Station Location Process Typically 1 to 1.5 miles apart Serve major activity center Serve major transportation node
Station Considerations Parking Requirements Parking? No Parking? How much Parking? Access Automobile Bus Pedestrian At-Grade Stations preferred
DART Typical At-Grade Platform
DART Typical Aerial Platform
NW
Conceptual Engineering Determines the exact location of the alignment Where on the map On, Under or Above the ground Components Include: Horizontal Alignment Vertical Alignment Right-of-Way Plans Utilities Bridge Structures Drainage Station Design
Environmental Impact Assessment and Mitigation Monitoring Policy DART shall adopt a consistent approach in assessing environmental impact for the development of all transit facilities DART shall conform with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations
Local Environmental Assessment (EA) Effort will be Equivalent to Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Public & Agency Involvement Conceptual Engineering Station Planning/Design Environmental Documentation Operations Planning Ridership Analysis Final Document Mitigation Monitoring
Environmental Assessment Components Land Use Air Quality Noise/Vibration Visual/Aesthetic Resources
Environmental Assessment Components Wetlands Aquatic Habitat Wildlife Hydrology/Water Quality
Hazardous Material Construction Impact Cultural Resources Parklands Environmental Justice Environmental Assessment Components
Public Involvement Continuous Public Meetings Committee Meetings Briefings with Elected Officials Special Briefings (Home Owners Assoc., Civic Groups, Businesses and Business Groups Newsletters Web Site www.dart.org
NW Project Schedule
NW Contacts Carlos Huerta Community Representative DART Community Affairs 1401 Pacific Avenue PO Box 660163 Dallas, Texas 75266-7232 Phone: 214/749-2721 Fax: 214/749-3667 E-mail: chuerta@dart.org John Hoppie Project Manager DART Planning 1401 Pacific Avenue PO Box 660163 Dallas, Texas 75266-7245 Phone: 214/749-2525 Fax: 214/749-3670 E-mail: jhoppie@dart.org